Have you been looking for any Austin Powers action figures?  Or perhaps some Pez dispensers to beef up your personal collection? If these items sound like your fancy, I found the perfect place for you to stock up on unique and unusual gifts. The Mercantile at the York Street Café holds all kinds of unique antiques and collectibles.

York Street Mercantile

York Street Café in Newport has long been a dinner and dancing destination for daters and others.  The Café is decorated with kitschy items like velvet Elvis posters and Betty Boop figurines.  They more than likely have the distinction of having the most complete Pez dispenser display in the Greater Cincinnati area.

In November 2009, Stuart and Sally Hochman approached Betsy Cunningham, the owner of York Street Café.  They had an idea to sell some of the types of items that filled the café.  Thus, The Mercantile of York Street Café was born.

The Hochmans first got the idea for the Mercantile when the three of them were in Rabbit Hash, Kentucky.  There, they first saw the giant black phone.  They were at a Bluegrass festival when they saw it and Betsy and another friend, Karen, bought the phone.  According to Stuart Hochman, people asked them about that phone for 3 hours at the festival, many wanted their photo with it.

At that point, Sally Hochman remembered that there was an empty store front next to the York Street Café and she suggested that they consider using the space to showcase unique and fun collectable items you can’t find anywhere else.

Inside the York Street Mercantile

“The Mercantile has no rhyme or reason,” Hochman said.  “There are antiques, collectibles, and all sorts of other fun stuff.”   The Hochmans have been collecting at flea markets and estate sales for 40 years.  They often go as early as 5 am because “The good stuff is early.”
Sally Hochman pointed out that part of her idea for the store stemmed from a desire to “clean out some of what we wanted to get rid of” from their own personal collection.  Store patrons explained to me that the Hochmans home is amazing in its own right and their own personal collection of antiques and collectibles is something to see.

 The night I went to the Mercantile happened to be their 2010 Holiday Open House.  York Street Café catered the food for the party, and the atmosphere was festive and energetic, especially since the party was on Tuesday, December 7, one of the first days of this recent cold snap.  I arrived toward the end of the party, and had it not been a “school night”, the Mercantile’s supporters could have easily stayed all night.  The Hochmans opted for a midweek party date because with the Holiday Season, people are booked up.

My favorite things at the store may have been the multiple Big Boy figures, the aforementioned gigantic phone and the Austin Powers action figures. Because the inventory comes from flea markets, yard sales, estate sales, and the like from all over the area, it is constantly changing, another of the reasons why you can stop in anytime and have something new to experience each time.

More Inside the York Street Mercantile

When telling the story of how he acquired the Austin Powers figured, Hochman beamed and explained how he saw the figures at a market and was able to bargain with the merchant so he could buy the complete set. The set includes the shagadelic man of mystery himself, Austin Powers, as well as Mini-Me, and Fat Bastard. I recommend having a look at it while you’re there. 

Aside from being a destination to buy odd gifts and collectables, a trip to the Mercantile is, in and of itself, always a good time. Several store patrons echoed that sentiment to me. One patron in particular described the experience as bringing out the inner child in all of us.
Among all of the Christmas elves and presents under their tree, also designed to evoke childhood memories and fun, I found a Menorah and a set of natural bees wax Channukah candles.  Since I was visiting the store during Channukah this year, I thought ahead to next year.  I still can’t believe how reasonable the prices were.  I paid less than $5 for the box of candles; I have a feeling they would retail for much more at any other store.

When you are feeling adventurous and have a taste for something vintage and different, don’t forget to head down to York Street in Newport.  At The Mercantile, you can feed your need for nostalgia and unique gifts and kitsch.

The Mercantile is right next door to York Street Cafe on York Street in Newport, and is open Wednesday to Saturday, 12-3 and 6-9. To learn more, visit http://yorkstonline.com/.