Interview with Teresa Shelburne and Debbie Kearns, owners of Dayton Mercantile

Tell​ ​us​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​about​ ​your​ ​business:​

​What​ ​does​ ​your​ ​business​ ​offer,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​long have​ ​you​ ​been​ ​around?​ ​ 

We will celebrate 4 years in business this coming November. We are a gift and home décor store. We pride ourselves on carry a unique selection of items that you can’t find everywhere. We carry local products as well as sourcing items from around the world.

How did you decide to get involved in this line of work? How did the business get started?  

Teresa is an Interior Designer and always wanted to have a small gift store and to be part of her local community. Debbie Kearns is a retired teacher and part of C & D Landscape. She also always wanted to have a shop as well as wanting to be part of the downtown Dayton growth.

Tell​ ​us​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​things​ ​you​ ​are​ ​proud​ ​of​ ​about​ ​your​ ​business.​ ​ What​ ​are​ ​you known​ ​for?​ ​What​ ​separates​ ​you​ ​from​ ​the​ ​competition?​ ​

Everyone comments on our store when they first walk in. It looks amazing, smells wonderful and is a relaxing shopping experience. Are prices also are great!

What is your favorite part of running this business?

Getting to know our customers

Who is your ideal customer/client? Who do you serve best?

We love the tourist we get in from all over the world. But we love our Yamhill County customers the most. Their repeat business means a lot to us.

Are​ ​there​ ​any​ ​special​ ​promotions,​ ​annual​ ​sales,​ ​or​ ​special​ ​events​ ​that​ ​you’d​ ​like to​ ​mention?​ 

Every Friday night in Dayton, June-August we have a free concert in the park, vendors, vintage car cruise-in and we as well as other Dayton businesses stay open late and become part of the festivities.

Is​ ​there​ ​any​ ​other​ ​information​ ​you’d​ ​like​ ​your​ ​potential​ ​customers/clients​ ​to​ ​know about​ ​your​ ​business?​ ​

We have a very active Facebook Page and Instagram page. It is the best way to keep up with us and all the new items that we get in. Many customers follow us that way and many times call to hold items until they can get to the store.

How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​see​ ​your​ ​business​ ​growing​ ​and​ ​improving​ ​over​ ​the​ ​next​ ​couple​ ​of years?​ ​ ​

We hope our business can keep growing as Dayton continues to grow. Dayton is part of the National Main Street Program, which help to revitalize small historical towns. We are getting new wineries, restaurants and other businesses added to our wonderful little town.

For more information about Dayton Mercantile, visit their Keep It Local Mac profile page HERE