Artisans of Food.



The Country Mercantile in Pasco WA, isn’t much to look at on the outside, just a steel building like any other kit-built that architects use in their designs. However, once you pass through a modest doorway, the inside is a quite a contrast. Inside, you’re overwhelmed by color, style, and arranged displays of food and crafts. The colorful arrangement of merchandise isn’t just thrown together “Bric-a-Brac.” It’s a methodical and categorized placement that makes it easy to find an item while eye-catching enough to encourage further exploration. Starting from the back are: fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers; then, preserves, jellies, jams, dipping sauces, and seasonings, all from local vendors; a candy section where you can see it being made and where they specialize and are quite proud of their truffles; then, a modest selection of cheeses, meats, and crackers; in the same area are salsas, dips/spreads, and locally made tortilla chips; and at the front of the store, is an ice cream and deli section with just about every flavor and sandwich you can want is made by friendly and attentive staff. If you want an expresso milkshake (real dairy) rather than just blended ice? They got that too unlike many coffee houses. You can get all these to go or dine-in at a ground level or upstairs loft-type dining area with a view. Not sure what to buy? No problem as they have plenty of samples that are kept fresh and full. My only criticism is no longer selling locally made bread. One of my favorites was to get a dense, multigrain bread and the salmon spread. However, the nice girl at the desk assures me the bread will be back when they build another location soon, in nearby Richland, WA. Oh, and there’s Wi-Fi too.