GEM WITHIN A GEM - Mercantile Opens on Main Street in Windham

The well-lighted Grand Room is - well what other word is there for curious customers than - grand? 

Welcoming clientele to Gem Mercantile, at 5399 Main Street in Windham, are co-managers (left to right) Val Walis and Carolyn Maccaro.

WINDHAM - The materialization of Gem Mercantile Country Boutique didn’t happen overnight although it seems to have appeared as if by magic.

An official ribbon-cutting hosted by the Windham Chamber of Commerce was held recently, on the west end of town, across the street from the Windham Local, an interesting little cafe and music house.

Dave Liatti is the innovative owner of the Gem and the Local, along with the TapHouse Grille, a short walk east toward the middle of downtown.

Liatti, over the past six years, has also made the Windham Local front lawn  available for a popular summertime farmer’s market which will henceforth be doing business on the grounds of Gem Mercantile.

Barely pausing to breathe, Liatti is already planning to internally expand the merchandise in the mercantile, graciously borrowing its given name from Windham, known worldwide as the “Gem of the Catskills.”

The neatly-arranged, soothingly-hued, remodeled shop contains sundry selections such as mens’ and womens’ clothing, soft stuffed animals, Stinging Nettles Botanics and speciality chocolates.

Dual tastings of chocolate and wine are scheduled for Valentines Weekend but there is no reason to wait to browse between now and then.

The front room offers a montage of handmade or locally-created items; the  book, “A Conversation with Fear,” by native daughter Mermer Blakeslee, and jewelry from Val Wallis (the store co-manager).

There is “Catskil-Opoly,” a buy, trade and explore board game rooted in the Catskills, fine blankets and scarves from Nonna Rachele (the 87-year-old mother of store co-manager Carolyn Maccaro), unique pottery by Bruce Dehnert and bees-based products from The Welsh Homestead.

Over here are charcuterie boards made by Catskill Mountain Woodworking and over there, Wild Kingdom Soap (blended by co-manager Maccaro) or heat bags and slippers (by Pat Walis, the mom to co-manager Val).

Entering the Grand Room, shoppers are treated to baskets of fuzzy stuffed animals, womens’ suede trench coats, handbags, jumpsuits and fanny packs and mens’ fleece flannels, puffy vests & trucker jackets. 

Let’s not forget. Hither and thither but in orderly fashion are loose leaf teas, accessories, athleisure gear, hats, gloves and fun or functional gifts.

Gem Mercantile is no pop-up shop, culminating great forethought. “Shortly after I started the Windham Local in 2015 I began having discussions with [Chamber of Commerce president] Lisa Jaeger,” Liatti says.

“We talked about the development of the town. In every talk, the need for a retail shop came up, and not just with Lisa but with many people.

“So it has long been my intention to bring a really nice retail shop here. This property presented an opportunity for a number of things,” Liatti says.

“We can offer high quality items and move the farmers market here, giving it room to grow. We felt this is important for the community,” says Liatti, thanking Jaeger and town supervisor Thomas Hoyt for their support.

Gem Mercantile is open Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open every day during Presidents Week).