Red's Mercantile

26/11/2022

It's a weird feeling not to be greeting you at our shop counter today! On the outside of running my little shop, I can't tell you how critical it is to do your shopping local. Not just today, but every day. Your dollars recirculate into our local economy. They pay for soccer league. They finance a new house. They don't pay for a trip to space. Your dollars increase the overall quality of life - not just for biz owners, but our community. We can't have poetry readings or workshops or dining experiences that add to our life without small businesses running strong. Below is a little guide of some of the places I'll be shopping today - but there are so many great shops, bars + restaurants to check-out in Downtown Eau Claire.

Other things you can do:
- Shop in person whenever possible. Shipping adds excess cost with materials and to the environmental footprint.

-Avoid special jewelry boxes and bags - bring your own!

-Buy goods full price! when you can afford it, skip the sale.

- Shop everyday items at small businesses. if there's a dish soap or shampoo - avoid the big box + become a repeat shopper for essentials.

28/10/2022

Run, don't walk! Hive & Hollow officially opened this week in our former shop. I met Sarah Lambert Freeman (who you will love) when she applied for the Red Letter Grant - and after being one of the program's first awardees, we became fast friends. I've watched her grow an incredibly beautiful, sustainable flower business + gift shop in Menomonie since 2017 and she's overcome so many obstacles - like beating cancer while weathering the pandemic. I stopped by Sarah's store earlier this week and welled up with tears. Sarah has transformed the space and given it new life. It is stunning, and you must see it for yourself. Sarah is creative, kind and so hard working. Please join me in supporting her this weekend! You'll see many of the same brands and familiar faces - like the lovely Lauren.

The shop is open now for a soft opening (10a-5p today in Eau Claire) - but the grand opening is tomorrow from 10a-5p. You know the location! It takes a lot of work (and $$$) to start-up while still operating another business. Even if you don't live in EC, shop her website NOW - it's more than just flowers: https://hiveandhollow.earth/collections

And Eau Claire folk, make the trip downtown and wander through the shop with wonder. You're going to LOVE it.

19/09/2022

Come out for a weekend of action with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin - knock doors and learn more about how you can fight for reproductive freedoms: https://act.plannedparenthoodaction.org/events/bansoffourbodies-eau-claire-canvass-planned-parenthood-advocates-of-wi

29/08/2022

The shelves are bare, the keys are in! We are officially closed. Thanks to those of you who turned up to our final days at the shop - for hugs, for sales, for counter chats. The photos below are my first pic in the shop and my last pic at Red's. To say it feels bittersweet, would be an understatement and I'm still processing that big change amidst other life transitions. Lots of you asked "what's next?". Frankly, I'm not sure. You might know that I ran for US Congress and if I had won the election I would have had to close the shop. So when my landlord reached out in July to see if I'd resign my lease, I bet on winning. But even though I lost, my life is opening up in a really big way to turn a new leaf. Hard to think of being anything other than an entrepreneur - so you can understand my brain is going there first. Let's stay connected! Follow Red Letter Grant + Cooke for Congress. Supporting women entrepreneurs + electing Democratic women this November are just some of the projects I'll be working on in the coming months - would love if you got involved!

20/08/2022

Thank you for the kind write-up Volume One! Excited Hive & Hollow will join the ranks of other great businesses along Dewey Street and continue the legacy of supporting sustainable, independent makers >> but with a touch of blooms! 🌼

After seven years on the corner of Dewey Street in downtown Eau Claire, Red’s Mercantile is closing its ruby door for the last time. Fresh on the scene in 2015, the lifestyle shop created its own foothold in the small biz community thanks to owner Rebecca Cooke, deeply supporting the

11/08/2022

Red's is closing. It's been a true honor to run this shop in the Eau Claire community for the last 7 years on our little corner of Dewey Street. You all have embraced the idea of shopping local and supporting women-owned businesses + makers throughout our country. I have been proud to carry goods made with intention, American made. You were there when I decided to launch a non-profit - the Red Letter Grant - to support other women on that same path of entrepreneurship in Eau Claire and now throughout 10 counties in Western Wisconsin. With your help from purchasing Red Letter Goods, we've helped 31 businesses launch in the last 6 years in rural communities like Ellsworth and Loyal, and here in Eau Claire. Together, you've helped me employ young women + mothers, reimagine our supply chain, design with intention, curate thoughtful workshops and so much more. All I can say, so humbly, is Thank You.

I hope you will join me in welcoming and supporting Sarah Lambert-Freeman of Hive & Hollow in Menomonie who will open a second location in Eau Claire in September. Sarah won the Red Letter Grant back in 2018 - one of our very first awardees. Since then, she has built a sustainable flower shop sourcing from local farmers and also carries goods made with intention. We have grown to become dear friends in the time we've done business together - you've likely met her at pop-up shops, back alley markets and more. She is a true gem. I am thrilled to support her in her business expansion and to have a new favorite place to go in Eau Claire.

Join us today - Sunday to shop the store, we'll be offering 40% off in-store and online. No code necessary to shop virtually, automatic at checkout. I should be around quite a bit too. Hope to see you soon.

XOXO Becca

07/08/2022

Our 20% midsummer sale continues through today! Stop by the shop today to snag something shiny and bright on this gloomy Sunday. Open 10-3.

05/08/2022

Our 20% OFF SALE continues today in the shop and online! Great time to purchase apparel from and
Shop is open today 10-6.

04/08/2022

✨ 20% OFF ✨ When you shop in store or online today, you will receive 20% off your entire purchase! Time to buy those pieces you've been eyeing! Shop is open today til 6.

01/08/2022

sale starts NOW. 20% off sitewide > save on pottery, jewelry, home goods + more.

shop now >> https://redsmercantile.com/

30/07/2022

time for a little feature! we are loving these warm toned basics, perfect for standing alone or for being layered on. stop on in today to snag one in your size! shop open today 10a-6p.

29/07/2022

A heatwave is on the way. ☀️ It is the perfect time to stop by the shop and pick up one of these Porter Water bottles to stay hydrated going into your weekend.
Shop's open 10-6 today!