Mercantile Markets

Mercantile Markets was created from a love of old things, good stories, and the kind of small-town shopping experience that feels a little different every time you walk through the door.

Located on the historic square in Alexandria, Tennessee, Mercantile Markets is home to a unique collection of antiques, vintage finds, home décor, clothing, collectibles, gifts, and one-of-a-kind treasures from a variety of local vendors. With new items arriving all the time, you truly never know what you might find.

But Mercantile Markets has always been about more than what’s on the shelves. We wanted to create a place that brings people together—a place where customers are greeted like friends, local vendors have an opportunity to grow, and pieces from the past can find a new home and a new story.

Meet the Owners

Behind Mercantile Markets are husband-and-wife collaborators, Jamie and Tony Bates, two entrepreneurs with a shared love for small towns, historic places, and building businesses that become part of the communities they serve.

Jamie is the creative force behind Mercantile Markets. From finding unusual treasures and designing displays to dreaming up events, advertising, and new ways to make shopping fun, she has poured her personality into every corner of the store. Her love of antiques goes beyond simply buying and selling them—she loves the history behind them, the stories they carry, and the idea that something forgotten can become someone else’s favorite treasure.

Tony brings years of business experience and an entrepreneurial spirit of his own. Together, Jamie and Tony believe in investing in the places they call home, creating opportunities for others, supporting local businesses, and helping preserve the character that makes Tennessee’s small towns special.

For us, Mercantile Markets isn’t simply another business. It’s something they’ve built together through hard work, a willingness to take chances, and a whole lot of faith.

More Than an Antique Store

We believe there is something special about preserving the charm of small-town Tennessee while giving people a reason to slow down, wander the aisles, talk awhile, and enjoy the hunt for something they didn’t even know they needed.

Mercantile Markets has also given independent vendors a place to showcase what they love and build businesses of their own. That’s one of the things we’re most proud of—when our vendors succeed, we succeed together.

Being nominated for Best of Tennessee means more to us than we can adequately put into words. Mercantile Markets was built with hard work, faith, and a genuine love for our community. Every person who walks through our doors, shops with one of our vendors, tells a friend about us, or comes back just to see what’s new has become part of our story.

We’re incredibly grateful to call Tennessee home, and we’re even more grateful for the people who have welcomed us, encouraged us, supported our vendors, and helped turn an idea into something we could have only imagined when we started.

And we’re just getting started.

Mercantile Markets
Curated Finds + Historic Charm