Missouri Mercantile Closing its Hazelwood Doors

There is nothing like buying local, supporting the local economy and local businesses. Sadly, one Hazelwood business that is as local as local gets will be closing its doors at the end of February.

Bill Olwig, Missouri Mercantile's owner made the tough decision to close after a lot of deliberation, he said.

"It's been a rough last couple of years at the mall," Olwig said. "I thought it was the economy but since it looks like things have gotten better with the economy, I'm not seeing an improvement with sales."

Missouri Mercantile's location at St. Louis Outlet Mall in the City of Hazelwood doesn't make the best fit for a store as such, Olwig said. A few locations in differing cities have been tested with most striking out.

Before the Hazekwood store there was a store at Westport in Maryland Heights and before that, the original location in Old Town Florissant.

"I miss that old town setting since we left old town Florissant," Olwig said. "I am seeing that our clientele base has dwindled at the mall."

Olwig recently opened a second shop on Main Street in St. Charles in November and plans to operate solely from that location moving forward. He said the old town setting seems right.

"It feels good to be on main street," he said. "I feel like we are making the correct decision for our business to grow."

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Missouri Mercantile carries numerous varieties of wines, sausages, hand-made cheeses, pickles, honeys and much more all created by Missouri artisans and growers.