Pawleys Island Mercantile has been a mainstay in the Hammock Shop Village since 2005
What a sweet 20 years it’s been!
One of the most popular and iconic stores in the Pawleys Island area is celebrating more than two decades in business.
Pawleys Island Mercantile, which is also home of The Candy Cottage, has served the public since 2005 in the Hammock Shops Village, a fixture on the mainland of Pawleys since the 1930s. The Village, made up of 21 unique shops and two locally owned restaurants, is a member of the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce.
(Photo by Clayton Stairs/Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce)
“We are so excited to be celebrating 20 years in the Hammock Shops Village,” said Heather Cole, co-owner of the store. “It continues to be a real pleasure to be here, offering our customers a balance of familiarity for those who come to us for certain brands, and novelty for those who come to see something new.”
Beth Stedman, president and CEO of the Georgetown County Chamber, said Pawleys Island Mercantile is one of her favorite places in the area to shop.
“We are so pleased that Pawleys Island Mercantile is celebrating this important milestone of 20 years in business,” she said. “This is one of the stores that represents the Pawleys Island area so well with wonderful merchandise and candy treats that make everyone smile.”
In November of 2005, Heather Cole and Tracy Summer, friends from Chattanooga, Tennessee, opened The Candy Cottage next to The Christmas Mouse in the Hammock Shops Village. Two years later, Heather’s husband, Carper Cole, from Martinsville, Virginia, joined the partnership and the store moved to the former General Store near the Original Hammock Shop, which is 1,400 square feet.
Heather Cole said the two-in-one store is a go-to destination for men’s and women’s clothing, trendy shoes and souvenirs, as well as an incredible assortment of sweets.
“Step inside Pawleys Island Mercantile and discover a stylish selection of casual and coastal-inspired apparel, perfect for soaking up the Lowcountry lifestyle,” she said. “From comfortable tees and breezy sundresses to flip-flops and the latest athletic shoes, we have everything you need to look and feel your best.”
The store carries name brands including Southern Tide, Duck Head, Huk Local Boy, Southern Marsh, Kuhl, Tasc, and On Running clothing. The store also offers jewelry from her brother-in-law, Mike Summer’s company, Cruz Accessories.
As for The Candy Cottage, she said the store offers more than 500 types of candy, including a whole wall of licorice, Swedish candies, mix-and-match candies, and new favorites like Dubai chocolates. The store also carries locally created homemade treats, including chocolate-covered strawberries.
(Photo courtesy of Pawleys Island Mercantile)
Cole credits the success of her store to its loyal customer base, employees and location in the iconic Hammock Shops Village.
“Our clientele is a good mixture between tourists and locals, so we’ve been able to really benefit from that,” she said. “We also have the best employees who make shopping here fun and being part of the Hammock Shops Village gives us the exposure we need to thrive. … Just walking into the building itself is an experience, with fun and exciting displays everywhere. With the variety and types of candy we have, we all try to make it fun and nostalgic.”
(Photo courtesy of Pawleys Island Mercantile)
Pawleys Island Mercantile operates Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 1-5 p.m.
For more information, visit the website here or follow the store on its Facebook page here.
By Clayton Stairs/tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce