Appanoose Rapids Mercantile

06/03/2026

The American Gothic Performing Arts fourteenth season is about to begin. Are you attending opening night of West Side Story in concert? :-)

The American Gothic Performing Arts Festival opens its 14th season this weekend with one of the most celebrated musicals ever written: *West Side Story*.

Presented in a unique semi-staged concert format at Bridge View Center, this production brings the orchestra onto the stage as part of the storytelling experience, allowing audiences to experience Leonard Bernstein's iconic score with exceptional power and immediacy.

Artists from across the United States and Puerto Rico have joined regional performers to bring this American masterpiece to life. Inspired by Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet*, *West Side Story* remains as moving and relevant today as it was when it premiered more than sixty years ago.

📅 Friday, June 5 at 7:30 PM
📅 Sunday, June 7 at 2:00 PM
📍 Bridge View Center, Ottumwa

See the attached press release for complete details, cast information, and the full Festival season schedule.

Tickets and information available at AmericanGothicFest.org.

11/07/2025

Fresh Poinsettias — now in at the Appanoose Rapids Mercantile!
—Locally grown here in SE Iowa, our 6.5″ red and white poinsettias are just turning their richest colors. With good care, they’ll stay bright and healthy for 3+ months — perfect for early season home or office décor gifts.

Early-bird price through Thanksgiving week: $10.50
Regular price after Thanksgiving: $11.95

Message us directly a few days in advance for special orders (6–18 plants). Quantities may be limited, as local growers are supplying fresh batches weekly.

Pair these beauties with our imported quilled cards, or other holiday-themed gifts ;-)

11/04/2025

Fall Wine Tastings at Appanoose Rapids 1933 — our second and final tasting is tomorrow, November 5, at 5pm! 🍷
Enjoy award-winning Soldier Creek wines with cheese and nuts + fruit. Stay for one of our handcrafted cocktails and relax in downtown Ottumwa.

It’s also the last day of our pre-holidays Mercantile Sale — stop by the Mercantile for extra floating holiday discounts while they last!

10/23/2025

Late November or December birthdays? Anyone? 🎉

We’ve got two Bissinger’s favorites perfect for celebrating:

🎁 Solid Milk Chocolate Birthday Presents Tube – Mini foil-wrapped milk chocolate gifts, each stamped with Bissinger’s logo. Classic, fun, and always a hit.

🍰 Birthday Cake Bar (3 oz) – Swirls of milk and white chocolate topped with colorful sprinkles. A little chocolate cake in bar form—timeless and tasty.

Not new, just reliably delicious. And yes, we’re on Day 2 of our two-week sales event at the mercantile—plenty of treats (chocolate included!) at great prices.

Plus… keep your eyes open 👀: two wine tasting events at our speakeasy are coming up soon. Contact us for details !

10/22/2025

Fall Wine Tastings at Appanoose Rapids 1933:
Soldier Creek award-winning wines, paired with cheese, nuts + fruit, and freshly baked bread.
Come taste, linger, and stay for one of our handcrafted cocktails.

Two dates only — October 24 & November 7, in Downtown Ottumwa !

10/21/2025

Clearing space and getting ready for the holidays!

Starting Wednesday, Oct 22, the Appanoose Rapids Mercantile kicks off a two-week storewide sale — most items up to 50% off.

Stop in for a look, enjoy a cup of hot coffee and a cookie while you browse, and don’t forget gift cards are ready to go.

There’s more: we’ll be hosting two Soldier Creek wine tasting events on Oct 29 and Nov 5, and new Speakeasy members can sign up on the spot!

While you’re downtown, visit other local shops and eateries — this season, we’re all betting on community over online carts and pallet aisles.

Open Tue–Sat | 10–1 & 4–7

Come see what’s moving — help us make room for what’s next.

05/28/2025

Best of luck this new season!

05/02/2025

🏢 For Sale: Renovation-Ready 3-Story Commercial Building with Unique Residential Potential
🔥 Ready to restore. Priced to move. Positioned for vision.

https://www.remaxpride.com/listings/6326811-314-e-main-street-ottumwa-ia-52501/

📍 Located in the heart of historic Main Street Ottumwa, this vacant 3-story brick building, owned by Appanoose Rapids Mercantile, is officially on the market! With a timeless downtown façade, a clean basement, and a flexible layout, this is a rare opportunity for a local investor, solvent contractor, or hands-on developer to restore a legacy property into a profitable, mixed-use gem.

🧱 The Basics
3 above-ground floors plus a full basement
Vacant and ready for complete interior renovation
Formerly home to 'The Salty Frog' bar & dance venue
Newer roof and weatherproofed back wall (March 2025)
Brick façade with classic Main Street charm
Structurally sound

💼 Business Potential
Ground floor: open layout with soaring ceilings
Ideal for:
🍷 wine bar / taproom
☕ specialty café
🛍️ boutique retail
🥪 or no-flame food franchises like Quiznos, or Jersey Mike’s
Built-in cooler room (buyer may keep or remove during renovation)
Rear delivery chute (may be refurbished for storage or operations)
Space behind building could support 2 compact private parking spots

🏠 Residential Potential
Upper floors include a two-level apartment with internal staircase
Tall ceilings, large windows with Main Street views
Perfect for a single professional or child-free couple
Could be transformed into a stylish, penthouse-style living space

🌇 Downtown Perks
Walkable to: shops, eateries, bars, groceries, recreational venues
Quick access to Des Moines River trail system
Just 4 blocks to Amtrak, 2 blocks to Ottumwa High School
Easy highway access for commuters and regional business travel

💰 Financial Snapshot
💵 Asking price: $120,000
🛠️ Estimated renovation investment: $200K+
💸 Eligible for a $100,000 state-level restoration grant
→ Main Street Ottumwa director is available to assist with your application

✅ Total project investment means this opportunity is ideal for an experienced, well-funded buyer with vision, manpower, and follow-through — not just a dreamer.

📞 Serious inquiries only. Showings by appointment.
📍 Follow the link and contact Tony Duprey at RE/MAX Pride

This is your opportunity to own a very reasonably priced building that will allow you to locate your business in the heart of Ottumw’s redeveloping commercial district. 314 E. Main … Continue reading →

04/03/2025

It has been a few weeks, and the top-selling Soldier Creek wine at Appanoose Rapids is… Brianna ! -a highly awarded sweet white wine with aromas of peaches and tropical fruits.

Awards:
🥇 Gold – Indy International Competition (2019)
🥇 Gold – International Cold Climate Competition (2022)

Brianna has been a fast seller at our Mercantile, and more units are on the way for seamless restocking. You can also enjoy this award-winning wine—and many others—by the glass at our 1933 Speakeasy. The best time to stop in? Wine Down Wednesdays (4-5 PM, followed by Prohibition happy Hour).

Santé !

02/14/2025

Happy St Valentine's Day!
—Isn’t it great it fell on a Friday?

We’ll be gathering at 1933 this evening for cocktails and live entertainment from 6 to 8pm. So, if you’re on your way to dinner with your loved one, or just looking for a musical nightcap before heading home, stop by and enjoy a cozy evening surrounded by friends. Must be 21+.

Text 641-219-2780 to learn more.
P.S. Our Mercantile will be open until 7pm!