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Granville: Visit Appalachian Mercantile for Artisan Goods
Even before our country was officially born, West Virginia has been home to artisans and craftspeople rich in creativity and work ethic. Our real estate agents share the fascinating story of how J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile, just minutes from Granville homes for sale, came to epitomize the entrepreneurial and artistic spirit of the region.
Art in Appalachia
Today, handmade items such as candles, soaps, and foods are highly valued alternatives to commercially-made, cookie-cutter products. While these items make beautiful gifts, shoppers are just as likely to purchase for their own homes.
But in those early days, these crafts were everyday skills that were part of survival in the Appalachian Mountains. Men and women taught their "secrets" to their children, who passed them on to their children, ensuring that these skills stayed alive throughout the generations.
Salt of the Earth
Coal mines are an iconic part of West Virginia's history, but far below the Appalachians sits another type of mine. The Iapatus Ocean, which predated the Atlantic, ultimately became trapped beneath the mountains. As a result, the salt harvested from these recesses is free of contaminants and heavy metals that pollute other oceans.
In 1817, the Dickinson family began drilling for brine using a hollowed-out tree trunk. Thirty years later, thanks to the Dickinsons and their peers, the Kanawha Valley became known as the largest salt-producing region in the United States.
At their peak, Kanawha Valley wells were producing more than three million bushels of salt annually. The region gained international notice when Kanawha salt was named "The Best Salt in the World" at the 1851 World's Fair in London.
All in the Family
Fast-forward to 2011, when Nancy Bruns, a seventh-generation Dickinson, became intrigued with her family's legacy. As a trained chef, Nancy was aware of the attention that hand-harvested salt was getting from foodies.
After Nancy drafted her brother Lewis Payne to come on board as her partner, the pair resumed salt harvesting on the family farm in 2013 under the name J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works. This time around, the process includes eco-friendly solar evaporation instead of timber and coal furnaces.
As the Salt Works once again gained prominence, Nancy built relationships with a wide network of artisans in Appalachia. The incredible assortment of talent inspired her to found J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile. In its initial stage, the Mercantile curated and sold top-quality made-in-Appalachia products in subscription boxes.
Visit the Mercantile
The online venture was so successful that Nancy recently launched an actual brick-and-mortar Mercantile in the heart of Granville. In addition to a comprehensive selection of artisan products, the shop features a café offering a farm-to-table menu based on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Some of the great brands you'll find in the Mercantile include:
- Brookstone Soap bath and skincare products
- Terrane Glass drinkware
- Lens Creek Lavender fragrances and essential oils
- Lineage candles
- Route 11 kettle-cooked potato chips
- Appalachia Press greeting cards
- Thomaswork wooden accessories and kitchen utensils
Of course, the main event is The Salt Cellar, a collection of the Salt Works' signature products along with accessories such as grinders and scoops.
J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile General Store & Café is located at 1179 Main St., No. 489, Granville, WV 26534. Hours are 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Want to learn more about what makes Granville such a special place to live? Contact us at Heritage Real Estate.
Bill Porter, Broker
(304) 612-3746207 Aurora Dr
Morgantown, WV 26508
WEST VIRGINIA LICENSES BROKER WVB240300963
AGENCY 010271-00
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Office License No. 010271-00