I think it may have been Tom’s mom that introduced me to the Beekman 1802 brand years ago. She knows I can’t resist a good mercantile or general store, especially one in a sweet small town.
A photo of the charming exterior of Beekman 1802 Mercantile drew me in, but the story behind the Beekman brand will keep me (and their many fans - or I should say - neighbors!) around for years to come. Built around principles of community, neighborliness, and cultivating a simple, yet beautiful life, it’s hard not to be inspired by the Beekman way of life. Case in point, we spent the entire drive home talking about our someday, in our dreams, small town farm :)
If by chance you’re not familiar with Beekman 1802, a CliffsNotes version: Josh and Brent purchased the beautiful Beekman Farm in Sharon Springs as a second home away from the hustle and bustle of life in New York. They soon found themselves living at the farm full-time after a change in circumstances, and returned home one day to find a note from a local farmer, asking if they might be open to his goats grazing on their pasture. With a new herd of goats on the farm (and a whole lot of goat milk!), a neighbor introduced them to soap-making, and the rest is history! While they are indeed a beauty company, Brent and Josh have also made it a priority to partner with talented local artisans to feature handcrafted, heirloom quality goods in addition to their amazing goat milk soaps and beauty products.
Now that you’re as smitten as we are, we’re excited to share a bit of our recent trip to Sharon Springs with you - where we got to visit the Beekman 1802 Mercantile, tour the farm and pet the goats that inspired it all. And in the spirit of the season, we’re doubly excited to share some of our top picks at the Mercantile as we start our holiday shopping.
This year, Beekman is bringing back the special delivery - you know, that feeling you get when you give or receive something meaningful. Something that someone put thought and effort into finding, something of quality, something hand-crafted that feels like it was made just for you. In a world full of last minute shopping, gift cards, and rush overnight delivery, I’m personally excited to start this year’s shopping a bit early, savor the season, and be a little more thoughtful with my gift-giving. Quality over quantity. Less but better. Simple things done well.
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Goat Milk Soap: The best part about traveling to the Mercantile - being able to take in the beautiful scents in person! The Bar Soaps make a perfect stocking stuffer, and the packaging is so pretty that you won’t even need to wrap it!
True Grit (Goat Milk Scrubby Soap): Two thumbs up from Tom - he took a bar home from the Mercantile and chances are he’ll find a few more in his stocking, too.
Hand Cream: Perfect for the dry winter months (but with so many gorgeous scents that remind me of summer, too!). I took home the Fig Leaf, but you’re sure to find a scent for everyone on your list.
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THE GOATS
We were so thrilled to meet Farmer John during our visit. He knows each goat by name (having named them using the first letter of their mother’s name!), and my goodness, these goats are so sweet and so well loved. They are milked twice a day, about every 12 hours, and then they’re free to roam and play - to enjoy a snooze and a snuggle on the cozy hay inside or a romp around the beautiful grassy pasture outside.
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Ceramic Pumpkin Bowl: Created by artist Rita Seiko, we wanted one of everything from her line. I can imagine this bowl on the table for Harvest parties and Thanksgiving dinners for years to come.
Handwoven Pie Caddy: As a pie lover, I made a bee line for this as we walked in. This was made transporting that holiday pie in the back of the Wagoneer!
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THE STORIES
The one thing that kept coming up during our visit was the stories. There’s a story behind every item, a neighbor and artisan behind every design. As I picked up a garden tool (a hod and dibble - the neatest thing!), the Mercantile manager Danielle noted that her neighbor had hand crafted it. A plaid blanket that I loved? It was custom designed and hand woven on an antique loom! And…the hook it was hanging on was made by a local blacksmith from the old tin roof of a barn taken down at the farm. It’s not every day that you walk into a store in which each item is so closely connected to the people in the community. It’s the type of place that makes you want to linger to hear those warm and fuzzy details (and linger to sample the jams and fudge, but that’s another story!).
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Cookbook: After touring the gardens at the farm (and sampling some of the freshly picked carrots once back home!), we couldn’t be more inspired to plant some fruits and veggies next spring. Their cookbooks are loaded with inspiration for fresh and delicious home cooked meals, whether you’re picking from your own garden or the farmers market.
Fudge: Oh gosh, the fudge. Didn’t I just finish talking about fresh veggies? Healthy meals just mean more room for indulgence, and this will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. If you’re gifting one, grab one for yourself, too.
Goat Poop: Have you even taken a trip the Mercantile if you don’t leave with some Goat Poop?! The maple malted milk ball, sea salt caramel variety, that is :)
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THE NEIGHBORS
Brent and Josh’s commitment to and belief in the community of Sharon Springs is a wonderful example of what can happen when people come together, teach each other, and help one another grow. So in that spirit of community, be sure to check out these neighbors on your visit:
Sharon Springs Post Office: Fun fact: as Beekman 1802 grew in Sharon Springs, the amount of packages that they shipped out of their rural post office was enough to keep it from closing. How amazing is that?! Don’t forget to stop by to mail a postcard or two while you’re in town :)
American Hotel: We’ve already decided we should make a night of it next trip, and the American Hotel across the street seems like the perfect place to rest our head (and grab dinner and a cocktail, too!).
If you’re hungry: We’ve heard great things about the Black Cat Cafe and 204 Main! Can’t wait to try.
Okay, maybe just a few more favorites…
We hope this inspires you to head out to Sharon Springs for a special gift that won’t be found anywhere else (no need to worry if they “already have that”!) - and a pretty great day trip, too!
*This post was in partnership with our friends at Beekman 1802, a brand whose mission we adore and whose products we regularly use and love.