RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Alex Johnson Mercantile in downtown Rapid City has been in business for 39 years.
Although operating for nearly four decades, the owners have owned it since 2014.
“We’re the third owners. I worked for previous owners off and on for a little bit. And one fateful night my friend said, ‘hey maybe you should buy the place,’ and we did,” Jennifer Johnson, owner and operator of Alex Johnson Mercantile, said.
Now, Johnson and her husband run the business together.
“So, he retired from Dodge Town 40 years ago, and never really retired because he used to work five days a week, now I let him work seven,” Johnson said.
What makes this establishment unique is that they are connected to the Alex Johnson Hotel.
“It is a landmark in the area, and we’re just the luckiest neighbors downtown to be affiliated with them,” Johnson said.
Located inside the store, you can find products from across the United States.
“We have local, regional, women-owned, family-owned companies, made in the USA,” Johnson said.
Johnson said when she became owner, she realized they needed to showcase different products.
“It was the first year we realized that we need to flip this inventory to a lot of local and regional,” Johnson said.
Johnson said now in particular it’s important to have these types of products.
“The tariffs, whatever you might call them, that aspect of this I think is really going to turn some tables, and we will discover more talent around this area,” Johnson said.
She adds that if you’re a local artist they would love to see your work.
“Just visit with us and we’d love to know what you’re up to whether its art, jewelry, or weaving,” Johnson said.
For more information on the Alex Johnson Mercantile, you can click here and here.
If you would like to recommend a local business in South Dakota, email juliana.alford@kotatv.com
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