Shop Spotlight: Virginia Mercantile

Virginia Mercantile is a boutique in the Richmond Arts District serving up local and sustainable goods. Featuring mostly Virginia -made goods, with a few from North Carolina and Maryland for good measure, all the goods here adhere to sustainable practices. My personal favorite is the refill room, pictured below, which has even more of your household consumables than you can think of. Soaps of all kinds, makeup remover, toners, lotions—bring your own jar or get one here!

Some of their best sellers include locally roasted Recluse coffee; they work directly with coffee farmers to provide exceptional quality. For a unique cup, try the La Fila Honey from Costa Rica. The fermentation process is intense, with the coffee cherries being turned every 15 minutes during the first three days. The resulting product has a golden sticky quality, giving the process its name. Drink it black to appreciate the natural sweetness.

Gemini Collaborative candles are another shop favorite. Their candles are free from toxins, chemicals and carcinogens, and are safe for humans and pets.

Tasha’s Own Goat Soap is made with goat’s milk on their farm in Toano, VA. Tasha’s Own also has a summer camp for kids to learn sustainable living practices where kids will help milk the goats to make cheese and ice cream, among other things.

There’s also a fine selection of leather goods, like trays, Dopp kits, wallets, and some very fresh tasting Bloody Mary mix. I Personally bought a sun theory “citron solace” candle that’s hand-poured into old wine bottles. Highly recommend!