Can you tell us the story behind Mustard Seed Mercantile? How did it get started? We have always had a love for vintage and antiques, but also love unique handmade things and boutique shopping- so we decided to build a place where all of those things existed in one convenient and unique store for others to appreciate! We built a family of talented vendors and small business owners that work together to support each other’s dreams. Turns out- our community loves to support them too! Our name is based on the Bible verse Matthew 17:20, a verse about a tiny bit of faith in God that can make the impossible, possible! What’s one of your favorite customer stories or experiences? We love hearing customers reminisce about fond memories they have when they see something in the store that reminds them of a loved one, or their childhood. It warms our hearts to see that smile on their face! We also love when we are able to Help find the perfect gift for someone, or have “just the thing” someone was looking for. What has been the most rewarding part of running your business so far? The people! We have come to know some really great local people , and have met so many wonderful folks from other towns too! Our customers and our vendors have become our friends! We love seeing the direct impact of how each purchase from our vendors helps their families- such as paying for piano lessons, sports gear, gas money, the ability to help an ill loved one, starting their own business etc. Shopping local has such a direct and meaningful impact on the people right here in our hometown! And shopping at Mustard Seed Mercantile supports nearly 100 individuals/ families in our area under one roof! What are your goals for Mustard Seed Mercantile in the next year or two? We are working on expanding our reach to help draw customers from other towns to beautiful downtown Rochester! We have a few things up our sleeve, so stay tuned How can customers support your business this holiday season or year-round? Share our social media posts and tell a friend about us! Word of mouth is the best way to spread the word! Keep us in mind when you need a gift for someone (or a pick-me-up for yourself!), grab a friend and meet up to wander around and get lost in our aisles for a bit! The thing that helps us the most is when we see the customers’ smiling faces encouraging us to keep on truckin’!