Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Mercantile 29:11 owner Heidi Engman poses with some of the items she offers for sale at her store at 309 E. Route 66 Blvd. in Tucumcari.
The way Heidi Engman sees it, a soft opening of her Mercantile 29:11 shop on Saturday solved two problems.
First, the storefront enabled her to sell merchandise that wasn't a good fit or lacked storage at the Tee Pee Curios shop she co-owns a few blocks away with her husband, Gar.
Second, the former real-estate office at 309 E. Route 66 Blvd. offers a public bathroom for tourists. A lack of one had vexed businesses along the city's Route 66 corridor for years. Her store also offers cold drinks and coffee.
Engman said the store sells novelties, jewelry, purses, Native American crafts, home decor and other items.
"We wanted to provide something new for local people because shopping is so limited here," she said.
As for her store's name, she said it comes from her favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11.
In the New International Version of the Bible, the verse reads: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Hours for Mercantile 29:11 during the winter months will be from 8 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 to 5 p.m. Saturday. During summer tourism season, Engman said she anticipates adding Sunday hours and perhaps lengthening store hours the rest of the week.