Winslow AZ Christmas kick-off!

We love Winslow’s Christmas Parade—the energy, the people, the sights, the sounds, the smells–the kick-off to Winslow’s Christmas season. Once again, the annual event brought thousands to town, and although we’d planned to have the Mercantile open, we decided instead to enjoy the day—and enjoy it we did!

Parade History

Seventy-three years ago, the parade first made its way through the streets of downtown Winslow.

From the Images of America: WINSLOW book by Old Trails Museum director Ann-Mary Lutzick:

After World War II, Winslow’s Retail Trade Committee hoped to stimulate economic prosperity by encouraging citizens to do their Christmas shopping locally. They started a new tradition in 1946, the annual Winslow Christmas parade, which continues to kick off the holiday season each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Ann-Mary Lutzick

The 2019 Parade had 77 entries including many Native-American dancers and floats, along with tractors and horses and marching bands, all set in the beautifully festive downtown.

If you haven’t seen the lights at night, you should. The streets look magical.

The windows of the Mercantile also got a festive touch.

The Mercantile Santa

My favorite holiday decoration is our nearly one-hundred-year-old Santa.

Before coming to the Mercantile, Santa spent Christmas (starting in the 1920s) at a western-wear store in Buckeye Arizona owned by a friend of my parents. When the Beard’s retired, Judy knew Brian and I would love this guy, so that’s how this mischievous-looking old Santa came to be part of the Mercantile. Something about that side-eyed smirk reminds me of someone I know…

Winslow AZ Christmas Kick-off at the Mercantile!

If you’re not familiar with the Mercantile, I’ll give you an overview of our Quality Goods and Curiosities.

We have a range of products for your Christmas shopping pleasure, from stocking stuffers to aspirational leather jackets. Over the next few weeks, I’ll go into detail on different items but for now, here’s a little rundown. If you click on any text in burnt orange, it will take you to the work-in-progress online store.

Snacks and Sodas

In the snack department, we have lots of fun stuff like Jelly Belly candies, organic cane sugar cashew caramels and fruit chews, chocolates, trail mix, jerky, and more. We also have old-Timey cane sugar sodas in holiday-inspired flavors like Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Vanilla Bourbon, and Spiced Apple. A six-pack of retro-fun would make quite the unique hostess gift!

Eco-Friendly!

For the eco-minded person in your life, we have bamboo utensil kits perfect for the lunchbox. We also have bamboo toothbrushes. And a new arrival! Wool sponges and dish mats. Not only is wool naturally antimicrobial it is also compostable!

Rockford Red Heel

Just in!! These classic workwear socks from Rockford Red Heel are still made in the USA. And yes… these are the socks used to make sock monkeys! We have the basic sock in brown and pink, plus we have sock monkey mittens, printed socks, and even a book on how to make monkey and friends!

Western Shirts

Brian’s favorite shirts! Third-generation-made western shirts from Texas in a variety of sizes and styles.

Ponchos and Scarves!

Did anyone else fall in love with the Alpacas at the Parade? I sure did.

Just in at the Mercantile, wool/baby alpaca ponchos–not from these Alpaca, but from a knitting mill in North Carolina! These American Made Ponchos are so soft and lovely. Kind of like wearing your favorite blanket without looking like Linus from the Peanuts.

From the same mill, Organic Cotton two-toned scarves!

Hats

Another third-generation-crafted product, still Made-in-USA. Hats from the New York Hat Company, including a beautiful classic fedora, a leather driving cap, pork-pies, the farmland inspired homestead, the Brando hat, and more.

Jewelry

Jewelry ranging from vintage pieces like this stunning 1950s Trifari set from Nettie’s estate…

To simple inexpensive handmade earrings from Brenda Yellowhair…

To finely crafted pieces from Navajo artist Shenan Begay, using all genuine materials and bearing her hallmark.

Winslow Made

Sculptures from Metal Artist George Gould.

Leather goods from Dale Mansfield.

Soaps and lotions from Linda Mansfield.

The cutest tea towels made by Joe Benham’s daughter, Joey.

Winslow co-ordinate signs and wooden flags made from Winslow wood by Joey’s veteran husband Donny.

Vintage Men’s and Women’s

If you know us, you know we love vintage, so of course we carry a variety of interesting vintage clothing, including vintage Woolrich and Pendleton, jackets and overcoats, leather and Harley-Davidson T-shirts, sweaters, and western shirts.

One of my favorites: this vintage Goldwater’s red jacket with fur trim… so perfect for the holidays! I was tempted to keep this for myself, but it was a bit snug in the shoulders. I’d call it a sized small.

Schott NYC Jackets

A Schott jacket is the kind of jacket you aspire to own, the ultimate leather jacket. James Dean wore Schott. So did Blondie. And Joan Jett. And the Ramones. In fact, Schott invented what we now know as the classic biker jacket and still makes them in the USA. Schott’s aren’t a flash-in-the-pan fashion jacket, they are jackets to last for generations, the kind of jackets you hand down to your kids. And yes… that is a coonskin cap, and we do have them for sale as well.

T-Shirts

Made-in-USA t-shirts by western designer Jess Snell and automotive designs by the Morgans and Phillips Speed Shop.

And other stuff…

We have Made-in-USA beanies, Churchill gloves, leather key chains, various “curiosities”, vintage Arizona souvenirs, and of course, Motor Palace Branded T-Shirts and shop rags!

Come say hi!

Come take a look around. We’ll be open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9-6 and Friday and Saturday from 9-6! We’re also planning an evening holiday shopping event–with live music and refreshments–so be sure and subscribe to get notified.

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As always…

Stay Swellegant