One of the key calls to order during this election year is to make America great again. One of the ways consumers might want to do that is by buying American-made goods and products.
Retailers like Greenhouse Mercantile (6 East Washington Street, Newnan, Ga. 30263; 678-857-9025, Tues-Sat 10AM-5PM) are supplying customers with locally made accessories, apothecary, home and kitchen goods, paper products, jewelry and clothing.
"There is a misconception that if you buy local, the products won't last," says the store's owner and curator Kenya Brantley. "There are so many amazing and talented people here in Newnan and in Georgia."
Brantley started selling antiques and curated goods in 2011 moving her business from downtown Newnan to nearby Senoia before returning to Newnan for Greenhouse Mercantile's grand opening on Thursday, August 4. You can also shop at the online store.
"I feel like there's such a push now to start buying things made in America," says Brantley. "I want to sell something that people feel good about buying and I feel good about selling."
Some of those items, like the Luke Fedora ($90, available in Carmel, Grey and Navy in small, medium, large and extra large) is not only made in the U.S.A but is crafted of salvaged wool.
The linen daily apron ($56) is made of 100 percent linen and machine washable (air drying or line drying is recommended) and the Becoming Jewelry skinny cuff bracelet ($38) is made of warm red brass and gives customers the option of a number of inscriptions and symbols to individualize their piece.
The Kekemomo lip balm line ($6, available in coconut, honey almond, lemon sugar, pepermint and tangerine vanilla) is made of organic ingredients that are purchased locally.
"I feel like my shop is a place where you won't be disappointed," says Brantley.
Greenhouse Mercantile also participates in fair trade, selling products that are made in developing countries and in return paying a fare wage for those products.
This system and the hundreds of locally sourced items Brantley brings into Greenhouse Mercantile are sure to give Newnan residents and visitors a unique shopping experience in a small town setting.
Brantley believes shopping at her store is about much more than just making responsible purchases. "This isn't about just me picking up stuff and selling it," she says, "We form relationships with the people that make the products. It's really about giving back and I think it's more important now than ever."
