While the parade marches down Main Street Fairport on Independence Day, it will pass by a shop that’s celebrating its fifth birthday.
The shop is Main Street Mercantile, an artists’ co-op owned by craft lovers Barb Cummings and Maria Erickson, and it got its start in 2006 after a core group of vendors, including the pair, moved from Old Barnworks that was located on Route 31 in Macedon. The area was redeveloped when plans to build a new Walmart and Lowe’s were in motion. At that time, the building owner considered selling it, and this prompted vendors to look market their wares elsewhere.
As they looked to stay together, nine vendors moved into the space on 62 North Main St. in Fairport after the owner of Rainy Day Mercantile moved out of state. Since then, the group has grown from nine to 22 vendors — each with their own space to display their goods. The other half of the store is the Erie Canal Boat Shop, where clothing and souvenirs are sold.
From scented candles to pottery and antique signs, the combination of goods makes the gift shop an ideal shopping destination for gifts or home decor. You can even find merchandise from neighboring towns, such as local churches selling crafts to raise money or cookbooks sold by the Pittsford Historical Society.
“If I know I like something I can’t find elsewhere I come here,” said shopper Sheri Norris of Fairport. “These ladies are always to nice and helpful.”
Because their space is limited, there is a waiting list for vendors to have a space as different ones come and go. One thing that remains consistent is the regional focus of the store and its contributors.
“We try to bring anything that’s local,” said Erickson.
As they've recovered from the buzz surrounding Canal Days (their busiest time of year) the shop owners say they especially enjoy their location in the village now that summer is here.
“Fairport is such a lovely small town,” said Cummings. “Any day you can stand on the porch and see people walk by — it’s like a Mayberry kind of place.”
