The Story Behind Galloway Mercantile

Old buildings often wear many hats during their lifetime, and that’s exactly the case for Galloway Mercantile (4144 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield), a shopping destination that opened this spring in the heart of the Galloway neighborhood. The Estes family reclaimed this historic property, remodeling the space and restoring it to its original glory. In the early 1900s, Kyle Estes’s great-great-grandfather, Lon Patterson, operated a general store in the building, creating a gathering place for many locals. Today, you can find the walls of Galloway Mercantile decorated with old photos of Estes’ great-great-grandfather along with images of the original general store. “I’m very sentimental,” says Estes. “I try to preserve everything.” With displays made of reclaimed wood from the property of its sister store, Cassidy Station (5176 N. Fremont Road, Nixa), and an old safe they are using in the soon-to-be coffee shop upstairs, walking into the shop feels like a step back in time.

With foot traffic from the nearby trails and a vibrant community just steps away, Galloway Mercantile has been embraced by the locals with open arms. “People are really happy we are here,” says store manager Eden Schweutzer. “Everyone in Galloway has been so nice.” The shop carries an array of local goods and handcrafted gifts, such as spices, soaps, coffee beans and dog treats—great for the walkers who stroll in from Galloway Creek Greenway trail with their dogs. You can also find local pantry items, Estes Farms fresh beef, Cassidy Station’s flowers, chilled botanical teas and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream.

Just like his great-great-grandfather before him, Estes’s goal is to serve the needs of Galloway Mercantile’s customers in a unique way, by creating a welcoming space where neighbors and friends can come together. They do that by selling thoughtful home goods, gifts and clothing; focusing on local products; and creating an experience by adding a coffee shop upstairs (to open mid to late summer). With a focus on fostering a sense of community within Galloway and celebrating the rich traditions of the Ozarks at the heart of the business, this new destination is a breath of fresh air for the area.