Sherrie Ashley, left, and Ryne Ashley, right, stand behind the counter on Wednesday, opening day of Ryne and Heather Ashley’s new store Ashley Mercantile. (Andrew Cryer for The Tribune)
CULLMAN – The Warehouse District welcomed “modern-day general store” Ashley Mercantile Wednesday; it’s one of two new businesses to open in the district this week. Lavish Boutique opened the same day right next door. Both are in the space previously home to Rumors Deli.
Ashley Mercantile owner Ryne Ashley (who owns the store with his wife Heather) shared on opening day, “There hasn’t been a moment that we haven’t had customers in the store; we even had lines forming five minutes before we opened!”
The business aims to provide quality, handcrafted goods at affordable prices, and most of the items are made in Alabama. If not, said Ashley, then made or processed in the United States.
Ashley said, “I want everyone to feel like they can walk in and buy something.”
There are more expensive items for sale in the store, but Ashley noted that the quality of the goods is well worth the investment.
“I don’t want you to come back after ‘x’ amount of time because something messed up. I want the gifts to be so good that you bought it for somebody else and they buy it for somebody else,” he smiled.
Ashley Mercantile also has its share of unique items for sale that the owner hopes will inspire a sense of nostalgia in customers, such as tobacco-scented candles and cornbread-scented candles.
“Life is about people and relationships and memories; that’s what we are trying to create,” shared Ashley.
The business is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; however, hours may be extended as the holidays approach.
Ashley Mercantile is located at 105 First Ave. NE Suite A in Cullman. Find out more at www.facebook.com/ashleymercantile2018.
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