The Mercantile

I took a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago.

I went with my boy to tour the campus of University of Tulsa.  It was on his final list of colleges to attend in the fall.

I was looking forward to seeing Tulsa again.  It had probably been about twenty years since I’d been there. And this was going to be my son’s first foray into the place with the scissor-tailed flycatcher as their state bird!  Even though he’s a senior in high school, I can still teach him so important things like state birds!

Anyway, not only did I want to check out the city and the campus, I wanted to take a quick trip to the Mercantile in nearby Pawhuska.  

And after a full day of exploring the TU campus, I woke up bright and early the next morning all ready for a shopping excursion some sixty miles away from our downtown Tulsa hotel. The boy informed me he valued his sleep way more than his mom valued the prospect of finding unique cookware.  So it was just me and my Keurig brewed hotel coffee headed off for things unknown. I turned up the 80’s music in my rental car as I watched  the sun rise on my new adventure. I was kinda giddy!

In my hour drive, I saw rolling hills, cows, pump jacks, creeks,  more cows, farms and so much more. I can only imagine the views when the grass turns green in the spring.

When I arrived in downtown Pawhuksa, I was struck by the beauty of all the red buildings. There were already signs of a revitalization even in the short time that the Mercantile has been open.  There were “Comiing Soon” signs posted in buildings up and down the streets. I guess that’s what you would call the PW effect!

I am so glad that I got up early because lines were already forming for the breakfast service. The sweet employees told me that I can get the food to go from the deli downtown stairs or the bakery upstairs.

With that worry of getting back to my hotel in time, I walked all around the Merc taking it all in and talking to everyone that worked there. We got in lengthy discussions about our kids going off to college and how I secretly wished that he’d pick Tulsa so I could come out here all the time. You can’t possibly see everything unless you come back again and again.

What struck me the most was the attention to detail in every aspect of the store. Is it weird that I saved the coffee wrapper?  It’s is so pretty! It’s the thing that goes around the cup so you won’t burn your hand. Yes, it is that awesome! I wanted to save the to-go containers too but my son reminded me that we had to make it through airport security and he would be so embarrassed if they searched my carry on! Teenagers!

I throughly enjoyed my visit to the Mercantile. I plan on going again when I have more time and some girlfriends with me. I am happy to share  some of the pictures I managed to take when I wasn’t wondering around staring  and touching everything! (SASSY TIP: Don’t you dare miss taking a peak at the bathrooms! )

And my boy has just committed to play football for a Division III team in Iowa!  Go Kohawks!

I guess I can drive there by way of Pawhuska, OK.  I can just google map it!

After all, nothing stops me from exploring  small towns, especially when you might have a chance meeting with a Pioneer Woman!

Stay Sassy Y’all.