#drapermerc

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Make Your Halloween Safe! Tips and Tricks

By Kristin Vaughn

It’s that time of year again! That time when you see goblins, ghouls and witches at school, try to out-scare your friends, and a favorite rite and passage of childhood - TREATS & CANDY! While many will be passing out candy and treats, others will also be out in their neighborhoods, using this night as an excuse to get every little piece of candy and treats that their neighbors have to offer! We want everyone to have a great time, but also be safe! There are some small steps that we can take to ensure that our kiddos and their witchy friends have a ghoulishly good time! Follow some of these simple and quick tips from the Center for Disease Control (CDC.gov) to have a “SAFE HALLOWEEN!"

S - Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. 

A - Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

F - Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

E - Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. 

H - Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.

A - Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

L - Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

L - Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

O -  Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

W - Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. 

E - Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers. E - Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.  N - Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

This year, we will be doing a 2-part Halloween participation. Friday night, we are on the Treat Trail. From 3-7pm, bring your little goblins by for a treat! We will have candy as well as treats available for children with allergies (#TealPumpkinProject2015!) Just let us know and we will make sure every child receives something! Then, on Saturday, we will have our Merc Halloween Costume Contest. There will be two categories voted on that night: Best Adult and Best Child. Our fabulous Merc staff (your servers, cooks, managers, bakers and hosts!) will VOTE for their very favorite and some AWESOME prizes will be given out for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. Then, YOU get to be the judge! We will post all of the staff photos on Facebook and let you guys pick your very favorite. 

 Even if you are not able to make it to the Merc for Halloween, we would still LOVE to see your pictures so post them here and instagram with the tag #MercHalloween so we can see and share them! No matter if you stay in or go out, are a devil or an angel, fly or crawl, prefer Jason or Freddie, or are just really excited about this spooky time of year, come spend it with us! We will have live music and our Wine Down Friday night menu. Saturday we will be offering our regular menu in addition to some SPOOKY Halloween-themed foods! What are you going to dress up as? What are some of YOUR favorite Halloween traditions or moments from the past? Share them with us!

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Appalachia’s Sunken City: The Heritage of Germans in the New River Valley

By Kristin Vaughn <br> <br>

(Photo Credit here)

October is the month of many different celebrations all over the world. One that is very popular in America, and Southwest Virginia, is Oktoberfest. We wanted to take a look back at some of the history surrounding our German ancestors here in the Valley and see why this is one of the most attended and celebrated community celebrations in the area.

People of German descent are one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States.  They came to be known by the misnomer “Dutch” because Germans refer to themselves as Deutsch.  Germans’ persistent and hardworking nature allowed them to thrive in backcountry settlements such as the southern Appalachians.  People of German heritage have contributed greatly to American society and culture.  They, like other European Americans, left their homeland to escape poverty, hunger, religious persecution, and establish a better life.

The majority of German immigrants to the United States were from the Palatinate, a fertile area of the southern Rhine River Valley.  In the 17th and 18th centuries, the people of the Palatinate suffered from seemingly constant hardship.  Peasants were dominated by feudal lords who taxed the poor heavily in order to support their lavish lifestyles.  The official faith of a particular region was determined by its ruler.  Therefore, peasants whose religion differed from that of their lords faced persecution. Early members emigrated mainly from Germany and Switzerland due to intense persecution at the onset of the 1700s. First settling in Pennsylvania, they helped populate the entire Alleghenies, particularly along tributaries of the Potomac River.

(Dunkards Bottom Historic Marker - Photo Credit)

One of the early settlements in the valley along the west bank of the New River was Mahaniam, meaning "two camps," in what is now Pulaski County and now lies beneath the waters of Claytor Lake. The settlement was founded about 1745 by three Germans from a group that had crossed the Atlantic seeking religious freedom and were called Sabbatarians and later became known as Dunkards. From this latter name came the identification of the settlement as Dunkards Bottom. It is reported that 900 acres of rich river bottomland was chosen and surveyed for the colony, which later had the only mill west of New River. However, many of the Dunkards became unhappy with their lot in the wilderness on the frontier of a new nation. They were said to be "odd" people who were very clannish and shunned by other settlers.

In 1749 the Moravian missionaries noted that in the region of Dunkard's Bottom, they found a "kind of white people who wore deer skins, lived by hunting, associated with the Indians and acted like savages." Once the Dunkards got to America, they changed their ways to fit the lifestyle of the American frontier.

(Dunkards Bottom Historic Site - Photo Credit)

However, being pacificists, the Dunkards became discontented and fearful, realizing their helplessness if attacked by Indians. So just five years after being established, Mahaniam disappeared as a budding settlement. Some of the settlers returned to Pennsylvania and other parts of Virginia with a few remaining in the immediate area.

When the Claytor Dam was completed on the New River in 1939, it replaced a slow, meandering river with a vast lake and dramatically changed the landscape of this part of the New River Valley. Landscapes, though, include memories as well as materials, and thus are more than just dirt, rocks, grass, and water. The memories embedded in the landscape are attested to by the traces left by generations of people who lived on the land, building roads, houses, churches, and schools. Each generation added layers of use and meaning to the land surrounding the New River, some of which remain intact while others lie hidden, waiting to be discovered by subsequent generations.

Those that remained in the area were responsible for integrating a Germanic way of life and adding to the culture that still exists today. They became skilled artisans and remained deeply religious. Many families can be traced directly back to these handful of brave and tough settlers.This year at the Merc, we will toast our friends and enjoy foods that are reminiscent of times long past.

www.drapermerc.com

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Bewitched Buttercream

By Kristin Vaughn 

With the upcoming Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays, we thought that it would be fun to let the bakery take over our blog this week with a fun Halloween inspired Bewitched Buttercream Cake! This is super easy and can be done with your children, they especially will love helping with the frosting! The Blue Door Bakery is the very heart of our restaurant, creating yummy breads, pastries, pies and cakes daily. They follow a very important belief, that real is better. They don’t use any artificial or preservative ingredients. Just real, good, fresh and high quality ingredients. Every morning they make fresh croissants, danishes, breads, quiche and scones for our lunch time crowd. In addition, they keep our pie case full with numerous types of cakes and pies. They can also be found making wedding and birthday cakes on occasion. Every Friday is Pie Day and we have 8-10 different varieties of pie for sale. What are you making for Halloween? Send us a picture and we just might feature it on our Instagram! Be sure to follow us and see what all we are up to at the Merc. (IG: @drapermerc, FB: /drapermerc, Twitter @drapermerc)

Cake Base:

4 ½ c. sifted cake flour

4 ½ tsp. baking powder

¾ tsp. salt

1 ½ c. unsalted butter

3 c. sugar

6 large eggs

1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract

1 ½ c. whole milk

Orange food coloring (for one layer)

¼ Cup Cocoa (for one layer)

Chocolate Buttercream Icing for Layers and On Cake (yields 3.75 cups):

6 tablespoons butter, softened

2 2⁄3 cups confectioners' sugar

1⁄2 cup cocoa

1⁄3 cup milk

1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla

Vanilla Buttercream for Decoration

1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 ¾ cups confectioners’ sugar

½ teaspoon milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Dash of salt

Black food coloring (for half) 

Make the cake batter:

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat 3, 9-inch cake pan with butter and dust with all-purpose flour. Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a large mixing bowl.

Beat in the butter and sugar in one tablespoon at a time using an electric mixer set on low speed, until the mixture resembles damp sand. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla and milk, and beat on medium-high, just until blended. Do not over beat.

3. Separate batter into 3 bowls evenly.

4. Add orange food coloring to one bowl (color to your liking).

5. Add cocoa powder to another bowl.

6. Pour each bowl of batter into 3 prepared pans (don’t mix batter, only use one pan per color) and bake until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean — 30 to 35 minutes. Cool cake in the pan on a wire rack.

7. While the cakes are baking, make the chocolate buttercream: Place butter in a bowl and beat until creamy. Add sugar and cocoa, mixing well. Stir in milk in portions, stirring each time. Add vanilla. Set bowl aside.

8. Make the vanilla buttercream: In a bowl combine butter, sugar and salt. Beat till blended. Add the milk and vanilla and beat for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Split the amount in half into two bowls and add black dye to one bowl until icing in black. 

9. Put both the white vanilla and black vanilla into piping bags. If you don’t have piping bags, just use a ziplock bag. Cut off the corner of the bag to leave a small hole on the end. 

10. Once cakes are completely cooled, place them on a cardboard disk (or whatever you’ll be serving the cake on) and put a ½ inch layer of the chocolate butter cream on each layer.

11. Spread buttercream around cake with a frosting spatula until the buttercream appears smooth. 

12. With the white vanilla buttercream piping bag, pipe 4 lines across the cake evenly separated. This will be the beginning of the spider web. 

13. Connect each line, as shown below, with four lines running perpendicular toward the center of the cake.

14. Take the black piping bag and practice making your spider on parchment paper (unless you’re a pro!).

14. Add spider to cake.

15. Slice cake and enjoy!

Thank you Julia for making this beautiful cake!!!

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Makeover Your Meals w/ the Merc - Part 1

By Kristin Vaughn

“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated food masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients.” Julia Child

As the popularity of community gardens and marketplaces, farmers' markets and backyard gardening increases, so does our desire to raise the standard of food that we allow into our bodies. There has been a paradigm shift in the way we think about healthy eating in relation to our own responsibilities. While stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have almost always been mostly organic, it is not hard to find some of the same items in the Natural Food aisles of larger chain-stores such as Food Lion or Kroger.

Americans have also gone even a little further by combining their support of local businesses and economies with a desire to eat better and safer foods. By shopping for those same items locally instead of at a mega-corporation conglomerate chain store, we are slowly gaining traction in a nationwide movement that is focused on returning to our former agriculture society and economy. The benefits of these ideals and practices are huge. In fact, the benefits are so substantial  and apparent that we are in the middle of what many have dubbed the “Food Revolution.”  The obvious effects on our health are measurable,  and the end result will be the betterment of the human species as a whole.  And as Julia Child explains throughout her career, “It doesn’t have to be fancy, just good food from fresh ingredients.”

(Pictured above: The Marketplace at the Draper Mercantile)

We went through our Marketplace and found commonly used staples that we bet are in almost any American household. It wouldn’t be practical for us to suggest throwing away everything in your pantry and going shopping to replace everything with something “All Natural” or “Organic.” This is true for a couple of reasons. First, every thing in your pantry is not available as an “Organic” option, or it is just not really necessary for it to be labeled as such. For example, you probably won’t find much difference between “organic salt” and regular kosher salt. (Note: Kosher is much better for you, health-wise and taste-wise than iodized table salt, and should always be used in baking instead of anything iodized.) Here is a list of small, yet highly beneficial, changes that you can make in your pantry to help you get started on the path of better tasting and healthier food.

What your normally buy: Canned or powdered spaghetti sauce

What you should buy: Merc Bolognese Sauce

Why: Canned items are notorious for preservatives, high sugar content and artificial dyes and flavors; powdered and dehydrated mixes that you just add water to contain high levels of sodium.

What your normally buy: Pancake Syrup

What you should buy: Pure Maple Syrup from Sugar Tree Country Store in McDowell, VA

Why: Skip the pre-flavored (butter, strawberry, etc) pancake syrup that contains dyes and artificial sweeteners and use pure maple syrup, which is all-natural sugars and colors and locally sourced.

What you normally buy: Ribeye, beef tips, pork sausage pre-packaged from a grocery store

What you should buy:  Meat from your neighbors in your community

(Pictured above: Cows grazing at Old Millstone Farm)

Why: With meat from a large chain store, you don’t know the origin of the meat; expiration dates can be iffy; possibly contains antibiotics or hormones; the living conditions of the animals and their treatment can be questionable. Old Millstone Farm sells meat from locally-raised animals, so you know the exact origin, and “Certified Organic” ensures that their feed or chemicals given to the animals were Genetically Modified or affected in any way.

What you normally buy:  Pre-packaged ground coffee

What you should buy: Dark Hollow Micro Roasters

Why: This is a subject that has more political, economic and humanitarian implications than you can shake a selfie-stick at! For a way better explanation than we can give you, head on over to darkhollowmicroroasters.wordpress.com and read what they have to say on the matter. We love their coffee so much that our owners don’t even leave home without it. It is a mainstay in the kitchens of almost every employee here, and we all have different ways of preparing our delicious java.

Make a goal to make one small change and try something in this list from the Mercantile. Give your snacks, meals, and even coffee a #MercMakeover. Share your pictures and stories with us to win a free bouquet from Draper Blooms. Add the hashtags #getreal #mercmadness #mercmagic #drapervillage #mercfam #mercstars #ijustworkhere

Join us next week as we share Part 2 of this story and some more of our substitutions and exchanges from the Marketplace and might even print some of yours! Share and Like this post on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. Send us your pictures and links in the comments section of this post. One lucky photo will be chosen as the winner and its owner has some really fun prizes and events in the works! Stop by and see what all the Marketplace has to offer for a Merc Makeover tonight at your dinner table.

[drapermercantile]

A Brief History of Tailgating

By Kristin Vaughn

(Local Virginia Tech students getting ready for the game - photo credit VT news)

We were really excited to write last week’s blog about some of the best places in the NRV to stay and take your family to be surrounded by the beautiful changing leaves. This is a phenomenon that only occurs in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is a part of the Appalachian Mountain range, stretching from Georgia to Vermont. And last week, we touched on one of the best things about fall ‘round these parts:

Football.  We are lucky to have thriving local high school football teams, many with state and regional awards in their belt. In addition, there are colleges right here in the valley, as well as many throughout the state that we can cheer on. If you spend Friday night preparing game day food, making sure your dog’s VT jersey is washed, and going on a run to the beer store, then this blog post is for you! But first, let’s look at the history and meaning behind tailgating.

(Pulaski High School Cougars Game - photo credit Southwest Times)

A Brief History

It really depends on who you ask when it comes to figuring out the meaning, reasons, and history behind tailgating. The American Tailgaters Association’s report goes all the way back to 1861 to the First Battle of Bull Run. Being the United States’ first major battle, onlookers travelled from DC to Manassas, VA to cheer on their team, “Union” or “Confederate”. This occurred mid-summer, and of course, on a Sunday afternoon. This story goes on to say the the lookie-loos showed up in their wagons, which were laden with food, wines and whiskeys.

(Photo credit Sports Then and Now)

Then, there is a storied history around Princeton and Yale games. There was limited parking, so fans on the opposing team would travel by bus or train to the football field. They would arrive early, so they brought food and drinks to enjoy while they waited for the game to start.

Tailgating = Community

The whole idea behind tailgating, no matter when or how it was started, is to experience community; the fellowship of like-minded (or at least be in favor of the same team) individuals and families. And with today’s trends which are based in our concerns regarding safe and clean foods, sustainable and fair manufacturing and distribution processes has raised the bar for your everyday tailgating event. A general feeling of ownership in the way our food is grown and prepared has given way to artisanal cheese boards, craft beers and exotic wing recipes. You can still find the buckets of chicken, pizzas and burgers, but why not step it up a notch with some new options from our Marketplace and Blue Door Cafe & Bakery? We pulled together our top picks to make your next tailgating event stand above the rest!

1. Magnetic Beer Coozies

2. Fresh, local produce, meats & cheeses from the Marketplace

3. Keep warm with our large selection of infinity scarves, gloves and lap blankets.

(Merc staff member Kelsey posting with our scarves and lap blankets)

4. Pies & Cakes - order a pie ready for pick up or have us customize a cake to celebrate your favorite team!

5. BBQ sauces in the market

6. Picnic items and utensils in the Junction

7. Long sleeve shirts & jackets in the Junction

8. Large selection of local craft and micro brewery beers & local and regional wines

9. Wings from the Blue Door! Call ahead and place an order for pick up.

Today, it has become a multi-million dollar industry, with 30 collegiate team stadiums allowing tailgating, and most professional teams stepping in with their own version and amenities during the Pre-Game time. Music floats through the air with the buzz of excitement, a little trash talking, maybe a couple games of Flip Cup and you have yourself a tailgating party. Meeting and embracing strangers and friends alike, getting psyched up and ready for a game is reminiscent of those high school pep rallies, when we literally could have taken on the world!

(The Merc doesn’t take any public stance in the college team debate around here; we love fans of all Virginia teams. However, it is interesting to note that the leaves and mountains we spoke of is last week’s blog, do come to closely resemble those same deep burgundys and rich golds that one particular local team wears on the field.  And maybe that’s just the opinion of this writer and just seeing if she can get this past our editor..) #HokieProud #VTStrong

www.drapermerc.com

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Uno de 50 Brings Old World Tradition, Expert Craftsmanship and a Touch of Spain to the Merc

by Kristin Vaughn

You probably don't know this, but the Draper Mercantile has a lot in common with another traditional, individual, creative, and  unique company thousands of miles away in the heart of Madrid. Uno de 50 is a company located in Spain that is known worldwide, not just for the amazing pieces of jewelry that they produce every day, but the way in which their creative, manufacturing, and distribution processes all work together to honor each piece of jewelry as a piece of art. While we don’t normally like to use our blog as a platform to advertise retail, we wanted to introduce you to a company that exemplifies the kinds of ideala that we foster and the spirit in which we do many things at the Mercantile. These are the types of companies that we like to partner with or choose to sell in the Merc, Blooms, and the Junction. Small, artist-owned, unique and true to their four core values, Uno de 50 is a company that we are excited to have in our stores.

Uno de 50 was started by a group of self-described “rebel artists” in Madrid, Spain. Their idea was to produce only 50 of each piece, then forever break the molds, never to be manufactured again. This ensured the uniqueness of each individual bracelet, watch, necklace, and pair of earrings, hence “uno de 50” or “1 of 50.” Now that the brand, and an almost cult-like following of loyal customers, has grown to reach worldwide proportions, this still artist-owned and run company has maintained that original spirit. One piece in each “Collection” that is released continues to have a number engraved on a tiny, silver padlock and is guaranteed to be only one of 50 made in the world. This provides added value and a promise of exclusivity when wearing, owning or purchasing a piece. Uno de 50 runs the day-to-day operations, sets its goals around and lives by four guiding values.

To always be: Creative, Unique, Hand-crafted and Bold Spirit.

Creative

Concha Diaz del Rio is the original founder, designer and artist for Uno de 50. Her pieces of simple, yet somehow overwhelming complexities can be seen on celebrities walking the red carpet, bought on Rodeo Drive, and even in a few art museums throughout the world. However, at the same time, her bracelets and earrings adorn your local soccer mom, can be bought in a handful of US locations and are by far one of the most affordable lines of high-end jewelry in the world. This is the brand’s take on “Creative.” To be able to design, produce, distribute and sell their products to widely diverse groups of people and meet all expectations of value, taste, comfort, and be aesthetically pleasing to all those in between is no easy task. The creative process is one of trial and error, learning from mistakes and not being afraid to take chances. The owners of the Draper Mercantile have been in that process for many years, and we are excited whenever they take on something new, have a dream, learn from something we did a certain way or completely make a 180 degree turn and do something different! Being able to work at a company like that is an incredible and extremely special opportunity. We are grateful for the owners of both uno de 50 and the Merc because without their fearless leadership and ideas, neither would be what they are today!

Unique

Not only when compared to other jewelry lines, but also to other pieces that they produce, the word “unique” comes up a lot when researching or learning about uno de 50. The simple lines, crisp and interesting jewels, and non-conflict minerals are blended together to produce the unmistakable simplicity and elegance for which this company is known.  While maintaining those same notable lines, incorporating different intriguing textures such as wood, stone, leather, gems, silver, or feathers, and being something that looks good on anyone, the uniqueness of this company’s approach to consumerism is refreshing. Their flagship stores in Madrid, Belgium, the Netherlands and scattered across the globe in other countries all seek to maintain that uniqueness. These stores are also important to the local economies and communities they serve and are considered sustainable because they “improve social conditions.” This could mean better working conditions, fair wages, or environmentally sound manufacturing or distribution practices. Those of us here at the Merc seek to remain unique, providing added value and exclusivity to the things that we make, grow, serve, or dream. Uno de 50’s commitment to this value is a big part of the draw for us; we just can’t imagine many company cultures or practices that we like any better!

Hand-crafted

While Uno de 50 has exploded the past few years in popularity and size, one thing remains unchanged: every single piece of work is hand-crafted in Madrid.  From start to finish, Uno de 50 guarantees that one set of artist’s’ hands and eyes will form, shape, and finish the piece. There are no mass productions of pieces, no factories, and no assembly lines. After an artist designer’s piece is approved to be made, they will continue making that  piece until finished, then will move on to designing another. In a community such as we live in Draper, we understand the huge importance behind something like that. We have value in handcrafted items, and understand the artist’s struggle to maintain that authenticity and original “vision” of the piece. Our grandparents and parents grew up making things with their hands, either out of necessity or fun. We have learned how to crochet or knit, how to build our own furniture and houses, and ways to can and preserve food. While these are often lost arts, they are still practiced today for everyday use in the same community that we call home. Artisans are respected members of our society and are a treasure to the anthropological study of humans and human innovation. We are very excited to work with individuals and groups of people that have honed their craft over generations. Uno de 50 hires and employs many of those same types of people in Madrid. A whole world and culture away, two communities are forever joined in the search for those special things about our society and local economy that make it so endearingly unique. The Draper Mercantile and Uno de 50 companies are more similar than even we probably know, and we are looking forward to what the future holds.

Bold Spirit

The fourth, and last, value that Uno de 50 prides itself on incorporating into their business is one of “Bold Spirit.” Once you have seen some of these amazing pieces, you no longer wonder about that particular definition. Each piece that we have seen so far, makes a statement! Used as focal or accent pieces, this jewelry is definitely a conversation starter. However, we think that it is the raw simplicity and beauty of each piece, not the garishness, loudness, or sheer cost that are the reasons sometimes other jewelry is revered. While understated and simple, almost all Uno de 50 pieces are a stand-out, knock-down, drop-dead gorgeous addition to literally ANY wardrobe.  Now, that’s bold! You know for sure that you are looking at an Uno de 50 creation when you see it. And that folks, is how you build a worldwide following. Promising never to stray from their original vision, manufacturing and distribution processes, four values and celebrated authenticity, Uno de 50 has made its mark in the world and now, in Draper.

This jewelry line is new to the Merc and we knew that we had to tell you all about it. Next time that you are in for lunch or dinner, you can find the display right across from the Pie and Cake case. (And EVERYONE knows where that is, right?) We invite you to experience the beauty of silver, non-conflict minerals and metals, leather, wood, and other textures used in the collections that we have. The staff has spent all week, “ooohing” and “ahhing” over these gorgeous, stunning, unique and bold pieces. You will see some on our waitstaff’s wrists, or around the neck or on the ears of our owners and managers. We honestly cannot get over this line and company! It is one of the most beautiful pieces of art that we have displayed anywhere.  

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From Seed to Sauce: One Plant's Journey from Our Farm to Your Table

By Kristin Vaughn

(A heirloom Pineapple Stripe growing at Merc farms)

If you follow us on social media or have been by the Merc lately, you are sure to have heard us going on about "Merc Farms."  When it comes to food, we are pretty serious. We are concerned about what goes in to the things that you (and we) feed our families.  Since opening, the Blue Door Cafe & Bakery, the Mercantile has been committed to creating meals with fresh, local, safe and delicious ingredients. Everything that we prepare for you is made in-house, from scratch. In our marketplace (as well as our kitchen), you can find eggs, produce, and condiments from local farmers.  In order to foster the spirit of farming, sustainability, and reducing the amount of genetically modified food in the food-supply chain, we chose to begin our own farm, lovingly nicknamed "Merc Farms."

About 500 yards away, on a hill behind the Mercantile, we had a large greenhouse brought in and set up, as well as a custom-made hen house. We currently have a coop full of chickens that will begin giving us our own "Merc Eggs" pretty soon.  After they start laying, we will sell these, along side other local farmer’s eggs, in the Marketplace and use them in our baking and menu items that call for eggs. The greenhouse is home to many plants, and if you have eaten here in the last 3-4 weeks, you probably had something that we have grown on the farm.

(Merc Farms greenhouse at twilight)

Merc Farms is proud to share that the owners recently signed the "Safe Seed Pledge." We invite other farmers and businesses to acknowledge the importance of non-GMO seeds and food and ask that you also sign this pledge!

"We pledge that we do not knowingly buy, sell, or trade genetically engineered seeds or plants."

Click here for more information on how to participate today! 

While we haven't officially opened it to the public, we wanted to use this week's blog post to tell you about something we are working on (and are really proud of!). Here is the story of a tiny, little seed that grows up to make a big hit in the restaurant world!

From seed to sauce: one plant’s  journey from our farm to your table.

(Sprouts coming up at Merc Farms)

Our seeds have a heritage and rich cultural history all their own. We use Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds,  which are exactly what they imply: they are heirlooms that have been passed down, seeds that have not been altered in any way through gene splicing. This ensures the  preservation of genetic diversity of the area and produces a vegetable with richer, deeper flavors and better nutritional values.

After deciding which varieties of tomatoes that we wanted for our sauces, we planted the seeds in our greenhouse. Having a greenhouse is beneficial, as it can extend the growing season, provide protection from hungry animals and helps to produce a heartier, richer tomato. But we live in a climate that is very amenable to growing a successful crop, and a greenhouse certainly isn't required. You can grow lush, tasty, and healthy tomatoes in your own garden!

(Merc Farms Greenhouse Plants)

To start seeds, you should begin by soaking them in water. Then choose a seed starter mix (this is easily found  in your local gardening or hardware store and is a mixture of the best nutrients and minerals to get your seeds off to the right start!). We planted them in pots and made sure there was plenty of warmth and light after they began to sprout. Keeping them well (but not over) watered is also key to getting the perfect tomato.

The growing time on tomatoes is about 65-70 days on average, and we were very excited to pick our first crop! In keeping with traditional growing and harvesting methods, we let these tomatoes ripen on the vine and then picked them as soon as they were ready.

After picking, these tomatoes were taken directly to our kitchen, where our chef and cooks use them in our menu items. After cooking them, adding some incredibly secret spices, those tomatoes are magically turned into amazing sauces! We also slice them for sandwiches and burgers and also for a super yummy marinara sauce! Today if you come to the Merc, you can enjoy them on our flatbread features, Mozzarella Cheesestick Appetizer, and as the base of the Bolagnese sauce for our Pasta Bolagnese on Friday nights. And one really special treat: we have made the sauce available in our Marketplace so that you can take a jar home and enjoy it with your family tonight!

The importance of being able to plant, harvest, and use our own produce is something that needs to be taught and shared more with our family and friends. With many of today's food companies and restaurant chains cutting corners in an effort to save money, it is more crucial than ever that we are able to supply our own clean, natural, and chemical-free food. The Draper Mercantile is committed to returning back to the roots of local agriculture and horticultural society. Decades ago, the Merc was one place where seeds were bought, traded, and sold. The owners and staff are excited about being able to be a part of this tradition and are proud that we are involved in this movement. Please join us and plant your own seeds today! Have any questions? Stop by the Merc or Draper Blooms and we will do our best to help you in your own journey. Until then, keep planting and enjoying these summer delights, as they won't be around much longer!

[drapermercantile]

An Adult’s Quick Guide to Surviving College in the New River Valley

By Kristin Vaughn

(Merc staff Emily getting her degree in Accounting from New River Community)

Attending college as an adult student can be both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time. Making the decision to go to school is one that you will be profoundly proud of in a few years. But maybe right now, you could feel a little unprepared, worry about time management or maybe you aren’t sure what to do first. With so many other things going on in an average adult’s life, it is incredible that we have time for anything! Students on our local college campuses are working full-time or multiple jobs, have families, assist in the care of aging relatives, are returning to school for the first time in decades, or a combination of so many things that all must be juggled, as well as trying to be successful at school. In the spirit of the “Back-To-School” craze, we thought we would focus this week’s blog on our friends returning to school this year as adults, young or old, post-grads or freshman. (Read all the way through for a special treat for students!) Here are a few things that we thought we could help you with this school year, in “An Adult’s Quick Guide to Surviving College In the New River Valley.”

1. Get Organized

“The process and organization leading up to cooking the egg can tell you a lot about the cook.” -David Chang

Being organized is no longer a choice for many of us, but a necessity for life. There are apps for your phone, computer software, and thousands of Pinterest Boards are dedicated to endless organizational techniques. Intentionally making the time to organize your schedule, class notes, to-do lists, appointments and contact info will make the overwhelming seem manageable. We have some neat items that can help you get organized, plan out your day, and ensure that tasks are completed. Or for the more creative types, there are different kinds of blank journals in Blooms, The Mercantile, and The Junction.

2. Find a quiet place to study.

“Study lends a kind of enchantment to all our surroundings.” -Honore de Balzac

(The Perch at the Draper Mercantile)

Too much clamor at home or need a change of scenery? The Perch is one of our favorite places in the whole restaurant. Imagine the smell of fresh baked bread and coffee that has just been ground wafting up from the calm murmur of the world under your feet. Now combine the quiet buzz of the restaurant below you, soft couches, surrounded by work from local artisans. There is no better place to  soak up the calming and familiar feelings that you get when you are just hanging out above our bakery. This is a great place to study, stop by before, in between or after classes to grab some coffee or lunch and get those papers written! Beautiful environments are proven to make homework easier. (Well, we can’t find that particular study but we are sure that it helps!)

3. Join a Study Group.

“Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together.” - Paul Ryan

(Upper Veranda at the Draper Mercantile)

Study groups are great for providing support through your college experience. Each member provides their own strengths and can be helped by others in subjects or areas in which they may be weaker. This is also a good way to make friends if you are new to school or the area. There are a couple of good spots in The Merc for your study groups to meet, but our favorite is the Upper Veranda. If you don’t know it’s there, you might miss it, as it is tucked back on our upper porch.

4. Stay Active

“True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united.”  -Wilhelm von Humboldt

(Bikers on the New River Trail - Photography by Gene Dalton)

Much has been written and learned about the benefits of exercise, especially on the changing brain. It is widely known that exercising prior to learning is very beneficial. Those endorphins kick in, the brain gets supercharged and all of our little brain cells are active and learning! Exercise can increase the amount of knowledge retained, as well as comprehension. Factoring exercise into your college schedule is essential in keeping fit, increasing levels of motivation, decreasing the amount of stress in your life, maintaining increased moods and overall well-being. Don’t have time (or money) to go to the gym? Stop by for a quick bike ride or hike on the New River Trail. It is suitable for all levels of ability and all ages. The Junction has several different types and sizes of bicycles available for rent as well. Dogs are also permitted on the trail and would love to spend some time with you outdoors! (Please follow leash laws associated with the New River Trail.)

5. Stay Motivated

“I think it all comes down to motivation. If you really want to do something, you will work hard for it.”   -Edmund Hillary

(“Quotable” greeting cards)

Staying motivated can be tricky. One way that many people practice and recommend is through reading and repeating motivational phrases and mantras. When The Mercantile was re-opened by the current owners, the first thing that went up were huge signs with quotes by inspirational leaders, artists and musicians. Although it was still being restored and was a smaller operation at the time, these bold and prominent quotes were a way for them to stay motivated, to know that one day, their hard work would pay off. We still see these signs every single day working here and they are a great source of support and inspiration for us all! There are many other unique signs, cards, magnets and t-shirts available for purchase throughout The Merc, Blooms and The Junction. So skip being kidnapped by Pinterest for two hours and just hang some of these clever, uplifting and motivational signs around your house!

6. Breathe Easier

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”  -Marcus Aurelius

(Tomato Plants at Merc Farm’s Greenhouse)

Fresh air is very important and we are fortunate to live in a climate with some of the cleanest air on the planet! Good, fresh, crisp mountain air is about as good as you get. However, we aren’t always able to get outside as much as necessary. Make the air in your indoor environment as clean as possible by adding some green house plants. They filter toxins and remove almost anything bad for us, and they are also very  pretty! We can help you pick out the perfect green plant at Blooms for your apartment or house. (Even if you don’t have a green thumb, our floral staff can guide you in how to keep it alive well into your college years!)

7. Make Time for Friends

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”  -Anais Nin

(Stephen Freeman performing as Elvis…he’ll be back at the Merc in a few weeks! Photographed by Gene Dalton)

No matter how hard or long you study, your brain will need to downtime to compute all of that information. Spending time with friends in social or recreational activities is a great way to have a well-rounded college experience. Join us at The Merc for weekly events! Every Friday, we host “Wine Down Friday”, featuring local and regional wines, an amazing dinner menu and music from some talented musicians; from folk to American and even Elvis! While reservations are not required, they are encouraged. Dinner menu starts at 5, music starts at 6 and we stay open until 9pm. Can’t do Fridays? We have Happy Hour from 3-5pm on Saturday and sometimes even have Live music to dine by! We host other special events, such as our PaintNite on Sept 12th.(Check our Facebook Page for more information and how to get tickets. Be sure to Like & Follow us to keep up-to-date with daily menu items & special musical guests.)  Find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram - drapermerc.

8. Eat Healthy

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”  ~John F. Kennedy

(Heirloom tomatoes now for sale in the Marketplace at the Merc)

Whether it is breakfast or lunch during the school week, The Blue Door Cafe & Bakery has you covered.

(Skip the fast-food and go down a few more exits to get to the good stuff!) Our menu items are created out of seasonal ingredients that are sourced locally. Since everything we do is made-from-scratch, we control what does (or does not) go into the food we serve. For breakfast, stop in for fresh croissants, danishes, scones and breakfast sandwiches. Lunch items range from hand-crafted sandwich creations to unique and colorful salads. (And if you don’t already know about our desserts, then you just really need to stop by anyway!)

In a hurry? Call in your order and we will have it ready when you get here. Our menu is available online at www.drapermerc.com. Our Lunch Features change and we post our soup, quiche, and entree choices each day on Facebook. www.facebook.com/drapermerc> (If you have a second, please give us a Review on “>Yelp and Facebook!)

9. Fresh roasted, Fresh ground Dark Hollow Coffee and Free Wifi Are Required College supplies.

While free Wifi and Coffee generally sell themselves, we thought we would add that you can enjoy both while sitting on our wrap-around porch in a rocking chair, in the clean and crisp mountain air, overlooking a gorgeous vista of mountains.

10. Graduation Party

“You are graduating from college. That means that this is the first day of the last day of your life. No, that’s wrong. This is the last day of the first day of school. Nope, that’s worse. This is a day.”

- Andy Samberg

(Marketing staff Kate and her boyfriend Justin celebrating her graduation from Radford University this past May at the Merc)

We want to support you through your entire college experience! From freshman orientation to graduation, The Merc has you covered! Our Taborri room is a popular spot for graduation parties. (Be sure to book early as dates fill up quickly!) We can cater it to your needs and specifications. We also have great menus for sorority functions, ladies tea, baby and wedding showers, birthdays and holidays. Our Catering Department will sit down with you and walk you through creating the perfect evening for your family and friends. Contact Lisa ([email protected]) to schedule an appointment to discover everything that our Catering Department has to offer!

We hope that you have an amazing college experience! The work is well worth it and “The Tassle is Worth the Hassle!”

To try and help out a little bit, the owners and staff at the Draper Mercantile would like to offer two free bike rides for the school season to any student that can show us your current college student ID card. Have a little peace, on us! That’s two times you can come ride the trail, or one time to grab a friend and explore this beautiful little corner of the world. Good luck, and be sure to say hello next time you stop by. (Until then, you better get back to studying and stop surfing the internet!)

www.drapermerc.com