Ashley Mercantile was born out of family traditions, and it began with a red-and-white vintage enamel brownie pan.
“That’s where the idea for the store started,” explained Owner Ryne Ashley. “We were out of town and our bigger family was with us and we went to a really cool store that I knew about, and both of my grandmothers brought this pan to me together and told me, ‘Ryne, we would do anything if we had our grandmothers’ stuff just like this.’ That little interaction kind of lit a fire within us to find heirloom goods to be sold and passed down and make memories — to be priceless family items that are passed down that can’t be bought or replaced.”
The business is described as “a modern-day general store,” and Ryne and his wife, Heather, opened the Cullman location in 2018.
Celebrating heirloom-quality goods and Southern traditions, Ashley said, means a lot goes into deciding what goes on the shelves.
“First of all, we look at the quality of the product and the possible longevity of the product. I love dealing with individuals rather than larger companies. You’re able to get a vibe from the individual on what they do and how much they believe in their product,” he said. “ I also think about if we can see ourselves using this product in our home and showing it when friends or family come over. We have a small group of people in different stages of life that we bounce products and ideas off of, too, and if the majority of the people we trust show an interest in it, it helps us make the decision.”
He added, “We also want to offer things at a good price, so we try to toe the line between those heirloom-quality items and good goods.”
This time of year is ripe with nostalgia, and traditions and family cookware/recipes are so important during Thanksgiving and the holidays. Ashley Mercantile recognize that for its customers.
“Obviously in the South in the third and fourth quarters of the year, families get together and I have a saying — ‘If we’re meeting, we’re eating!,’” Ashley laughed. “Good food always lends to a good time. So many times nowadays we need that comfort food, whether it’s just in the moment of sheer comfort of those meals or a certain food that brings back a memory of when we were younger and things were not as crazy and a little bit slower. Besides the food items we sell, be it cookware or mixes or jellies and jams, in all these meal-related items, we want to acknowledge that. Anything we can get for Ashley Mercantile that encourages you as a customer to spend time with your family — whether that’s your parents, your siblings, your kids, your nieces or your nephews — we will buy that item.”
Ashley also shared what he’s thankful for this Thanksgiving, saying, “God’s love and mercy for us. And that he gives people to us to be in our lives to help walk with us every day. God knew we needed that.”
Ashley Mercantile | 105 First Ave. NE, Cullman | ashleymercantile.com
"I have a saying — ‘If we’re meeting, we’re eating!'"