What started as a home store has evolved into a curated collection of apparel, accessories, home and kitchen fittings, gifts, apothecary items and more.
The background
Traver and her husband were living in Driftwood when, during a visit to Nate’s Coffee & Cocktails, she fell in love with Buda’s historic Main Street.
As a student at Southwest Texas State University, Traver worked her way through college as a sales associate at Francesca’s, a chain boutique that sells women’s clothing and accessories, and worked on the retailer’s management teams after graduation.
Traver said the stars aligned when a retail space opened at the Buda Mill & Grain Co.

When she opened the store, Traver sold mostly home and kitchen items, inspired by her late aunt’s house, which was her decor inspiration for her future home, and her late grandmother’s business.

Staying local
Through the years, The Mercantile has expanded its selection to be more of a curated go-to gift shop. The shop sells candles, greeting cards, cookbooks, kitchen gear, men’s grooming kits, baby toys and more.
She said she listens to what people want to see in the shop and sources those items, most of which are from local and women-owned businesses.

Traver said about 80% of the store is also shoppable online, a feature she implemented during the pandemic.
Looking ahead
Traver is preparing to open The Mercantile’s sister concept called Mercantile at Home, at The Roundabout in Buda, an upcoming mixed-use community development, next year.
The store will be an extension of the items at the current shop with added furniture, rugs, wall decor, lamps and other home accents, including salvaged antique items.

“I want to make sure that if you come into my store, you will always be met with a smile on your face,” Traver said. “I want to be as inclusive as possible, and that's something that's really important to me.”
- 304 S. Main St., Ste. 101, Buda
- www.themercantileatmillandgrain.com