STYLE

BE THE KING OF YOUR CASTLE

Spring is a time of renewal, revitalization, and renovation. It's a good time to survey your surroundings and dust out the winterized blahs. If your humble abode is looking a little more dismalist than minimalist, head on down to Broadway and feast upon the goods offered at Crown Mercantile. "We offer authentic vintage, as well as all kinds of reproduction items," said manager and buyer Logan Gottesman. "We specialize in cool housewares. Kitchen, bath, glassware, books, cards, and gifts-- the store offers the whole gamut."

"From wild to mild," said Crown's owner Russell Enlle. "We offer an eclectic mix of period home furnishings."

Enlle opened Crown Mercantile a year and half ago on the vintage valley of South Broadway, just a few doors down from his classic clothing store, American Aces.

"We wanted something more," Enlle said. "We are all really into this style of furniture and clothing-- it is what we do-- our houses are already full of this kind of stuff. We are really lucky that we are in a business we like."

Crown Mercantile rotates a hip blend of premium vintage and retro replica items throughout the store, but has also recently begun to manufacture its own Crown Mercantile custom furniture as well.

"We can pretty much do whatever you want," Gottesman said. "We provide the shapes-- like a kidney shaped coffee table-- and then work with different colors of Formica to accommodate the customer."

"We have done a couple of these screamin' good retro look bars," Enlle said. "We can do galvanized metal skins, diamonds, and even country harvest wood tables. We are literally making this furniture with my father in law, Chuck Miller."

Crown Mercantile has a great collection of urban-specialty items like polka-dotted martini glasses, smooth blimp-shaped cocktail shakers, and prosperity giving bamboo plants-- but they are quick to point out Crown has something for every generation. "We have everyone from 16 to 65 in here," Enlle said.

"We have kids buying gifts for their grandmothers," Gottesman added, "and then the grandmothers buying gifts for their kids."

Crown has hidden treasures around every bend, tucked away on bookshelves or hanging on the walls. It is a place of discovery, reminiscent of your grandmother's living room.

"We hear a lot of people say that the store looks just like their mother's house," Gottesman said. "It can get really nostalgic in here."

Crown Mercantile is a passageway into the cozy comfy world of antique, unique, and downtown chic.

--Kity Ironton

photos by Sean Hartgrove

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