Poppy Lane Mercantile now open in new Palmer location

Poppy Lane Mercantile is now open at their new storefront in Downtown Palmer. The store is home to 30 vendors from small businesses across Alaska. The new space has a warm and welcoming feel with an opportunity for customers to browse authentic Alaskan-made goods. Co-owners Angela “Angie” Hendrickson and Krystal Erickson say that the community has received their opening at the new location exceptionally well.

“So far it’s been overwhelmingly positive from the community,” Hendrickson said.

Poppy Lane had operated out of their previous space on South Valley Way for the last six years. Hendrickson explained that their lease was expiring and they were looking to expand the business. Their current landlord had just finished remodeling their new space and suggested it to both Hendrickson and Erickson.

They were concerned at first that the roughly 10,000 square-foot space might be too large. They were not sure if they had enough product to fill the store.

“It was so scary,” Erickson said. “I thought this might be too much space…I was nervous about not having a really cohesive place to shop. I thought it might be too much and you might get lost.”

Vendors rallied behind Poppy Lane and helped fill the store with more products. Each vendor designs and sets up their own space.

And according to customer feedback, Poppy Lane has hit their target audience just right.

“Former customers have come in and said, you hit the nail on the head, you got the vibe right,” Hendrickson said. “That’s been huge for us to hear that feedback.”

This new location has provided them with space for offices, an employee break room, multiple fitting rooms and bathrooms and a behind-the-scenes area to come up with new ideas.

Poppy Lane is currently working with Alauda Coffee Shop Owner Mesa Burgstahler to build a coffee shop upstairs, with views towards Lazy Mountain, the Palmer Water Tower and Pioneer Peak. Their plan is to finish by late February and to celebrate with a grand opening. Customers will be able to enjoy sipping on a cup of coffee while playing board games and sitting in one of the comfy chairs overlooking downtown.

“I like when people can come in and get their retail therapy and they can meander and shop,” Hendrickson said. “I think it’s a very peaceful shopping experience.”

Hendrickson said they are excited to be part of the downtown Palmer scene and participate in events, like Colony Days, Friday Fling and Colony Christmas. She said they were removed from the downtown scene at their old location.

“We’re very excited to be right downtown for all those events,” Hendrickson said.

Summer will be busy with tour buses bringing new customers to Poppy Lane’s front door. Hendrickson said the store is already busier than what they could have dreamed of.

“I remember when we were at the old place, and I would drive downtown and there would be six or seven buses at the visitor center and I would tell Krystal, ‘What if those buses were in our parking lot? That would be so cool,’” Hendrickson said. “That’s one thing I’m looking forward to, we’re right across from the visitor center so that’s going to be amazing.”

Erickson credits the store’s success to their vendors and the relationships they’ve built with them over the years.

“We’ve always been about community and the fact that these same businesses have been with us… to grow with these guys and watch that is really exciting,” Erickson said.

Hendrickson said she also appreciates the vendors for their support bringing authentic Alaskan products to Downtown Palmer and for the community that continues to visit and compliment on their new space.

“We’re so, so thankful for all the positive feedback and thankful for the community for supporting us,” Hendrickson said. “We have vendors that bring in neat, different, wonderful products and we couldn’t do it without them.”