Since the opening of Ree Drummond's The Mercantile a year ago, Pawhuska, Oklahoma, has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the television personality, bestselling author, and blogger (I know that's not a complete list of her accomplishments, but--come on--she's amazing and it's a short blog). And The Mercantile
is amazing and I could 100% spend my paycheck there, if not on the amazing food then on all of the amazing products in the store itself; but the truth is, thousands of people are going to continue to find their way to Pawhuska to visit The Mercantile--and that thrills me--but I know from the way the Drummonds are working to restore the amazing buildings in the town and the way local businesses are promoted on
The Pioneer Woman that they are just as interested in seeing the rest of the local businesses in the beautiful town of Pawhuska meet with equal success. That is why I want to share with you some of the amazing places you need to visit when you decide make your pilgrimage (whether it's your first, second, third, fourth...twenty-fourth...).
 |
| Country Rogue Boutique |
I hope when you go to Pawhuska, you plan to spend the entire day there. Trust me, I had to go back twice and I still didn't make it into all of the shops. The first weekend my daughter and I started on the eastern end of Main Street, working our way down toward Kihekah--in part because that was the closest parking we could find. I was glad we parked a couple of blocks east, though, because if we hadn't we would have missed two really great shops. The first one was actually a salon and boutique combination called Ambition Salon and Country Rogue Boutique. A fan of historical romance, particularly those with the word "rogue" in the title, I had to go in and check it out. When my daughter and I made our initial trip in September, it was one of their first weekends open. We didn't try the salon services, although I had hoped to get back by there later that afternoon for a much needed eyebrow wax, but the little boutique had a number of great gift options from jewelry to clothes to accessories.
 |
| Prairie Cottage |
Just down the street from Ambition Salon and Country Rogue Boutique was a lovely shop called The Prairie Cottage. I could have looked around in there for an hour. They had beautiful home decor and kitchen ware, a wide array of clothing options and fan gear, Brighton and Rustic Cuff jewelry, children's items, and a variety of great gift options.
After visiting these two boutiques, we made our way to Kihekah and decided to venture our way down that street. Our first stop was at Osage Outfitters, where I had the opportunity to learn more about the store from owner Joey Lee. Now, if you're city folks, you might be tempted to pass Osage Outfitters by, but I am telling you, please, don't. It is well worth the stop in. The ambiance of the interior is worth a walk in the door alone: the warm lighting, the smell of leather--it's a veritable oasis. Once you're in the door, though, you'll see that in addition to beautiful saddles and well-crafted bridles and leads, there is a wall of boots that are pure artistry. They are all custom designed by the owner, guaranteeing that if you want an original pair of boots, that is exactly what you will receive. Callie Lee, Joey's wife, also has the showroom stocked with beautiful clothes for the ladies that will appeal to women of all tastes. I found a beautiful gold lace kimono when I was there in September which I have worn with jeans and with dresses and which has earned me compliments every time I have worn it. When I went back in last week, I could have easily spent half of my paycheck on new fall pieces that she had received. The Lees are highly personable and their service is the same. Not only are they there to answer your questions and help you buy what you need but they also will custom mold hats for you as well, something that is becoming a lost art, making it a truly full-service store.
 |
| Osage Outfitters |
Next door to Osage Outfitters is the Tallgrass Art Gallery, which is full of pieces of art from sculptures and bronzes to oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings to jewelry to furniture. It boasts a vast selection of Western, wildlife, and Native American art and crafts. There is much to take in and look at as you peruse the aisles of the gallery and you won't be disappointed by the artistry and craftsmanship of the pieces.
 |
| Tallgrass Art Gallery |
Just down the road from Tallgrass Art Gallery is Salt Creek Gallery and Marketplace, with one side a boutique and the other side a small gallery when Evy and I visited in September. Since we went in September, though, the owner has decided to expand the boutique and move away from the gallery pieces, though they do still have some of the items for sale like their hand-beaded clutches. Salt Creek has a warm, inviting ambiance and offers a variety of items from sauces and mixes to home decor to gift items and clothing. If you don't make it to Pawhuska to visit before January, you can see exactly what I'm talking about as they will be featured in one of the Pioneer Woman episodes that month.
 |
| Salt Creek Gallery and Marketplace |
Our next stop along the way was Okie Girl. This little boutique owned by Ellen Medlock is full of originals. Ellen used to have a quilting shop in Tulsa where she designed her own fabrics, many of which she still uses in her handmade products. Not only can you buy OkieGirl original t-shirts in the store, but you can find handmade purses, jewelry, scarves, quilts, home accessories, and so much more. What makes the store even more fun is that Ellen is a fan of Big Foot, and she honors that interest by carrying a variety of Big Foot products in her store as well. Her airy little shop is definitely worth a stop in, and while you're there, you'll have to be sure to say hi to her four-legged companion, Bob.
 |
| OkieGirl |
When I stopped back in Pawhuska last week, I had the opportunity to visit one of the stores Evy and I didn't have time to visit in September, The Gypsy Cowgirl owned by Roslynn Jackson. The front of The Gypsy Cowgirl is a ladies boutique owned by Roslynn, while in the back part of the store are booths rented out by vendors carrying a variety of items including a booth of Oklahoma made food products. One of the booths is owned by Roslynn herself and offers a selection of children's clothes, including some Mommy and Me outfits, and some children's items.
 |
| The Gypsy Cowgirl |
Last weekend I also was able to visit The French Nest, which I missed stopping in at in September because I ran out of time. If the name The French Nest sounds familiar to you and you haven't been to Pawhuska that is because they also have a store in Bartlesville and when I visited Bartlesville a couple of years ago, I featured their store there in the blog. I'm a huge fan of both locations. The have a wide array of gift items from jewelry to candles to home decor to gardening...the list just goes on and on. I found an adorable apron for my daughter there last weekend as well as a beautiful monogram hanging for my front door. The store is large, open, and elegant. It's location is down toward the end of Kihekah so you definitely want to not cut your day too short and miss it.
 |
| The French Nest |
My last stop of the day was at Signtech on Main Street, across the street from The Mercantile. Don't let the name fool you. Yes, they are a graphics company, but they also have a boutique in the shop now as well. In their store you can purchase original t-shirts as well as a variety of gift items from some of their favorite sellers, including some Oklahoma vendors.
 |
| Signtech |
Two days of visiting and I still did not make it in to every store and will have to go back for another visit. Not that anyone would have to twist my arm. Fortunately, I'm close enough that if I have a free weekend, making the drive to Pawhuska not a problem. I know that's not the case for everyone, so if you're planning a little pilgrimage to The Mercantile why not plan to stay a little longer so that you have time to really take in all that Pawhuska has to offer: gorgeous architecture, lovely stores with friendly owners and employees, and beautiful views. With all of that at hand, why not spend a couple of days there? Enjoy a relaxing weekend staying at one of their several bed and breakfasts such as The Grandview Inn Bed & Breakfast or the Million Dollar Inn Bed & Bath. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Since the opening of Ree Drummond's The Mercantile a year ago, Pawhuska, Oklahoma, has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the television personality, bestselling author, and blogger (I know that's not a complete list of her accomplishments, but--come on--she's amazing and it's a short blog). And The Mercantile is amazing and I could 100% spend my paycheck there, if not on the amazing food then on all of the amazing products in the store itself; but the truth is, thousands of people are going to continue to find their way to Pawhuska to visit The Mercantile--and that thrills me--but I know from the way the Drummonds are working to restore the amazing buildings in the town and the way local businesses are promoted on The Pioneer Woman that they are just as interested in seeing the rest of the local businesses in the beautiful town of Pawhuska meet with equal success. That is why I want to share with you some of the amazing places you need to visit when you decide make your pilgrimage (whether it's your first, second, third, fourth...twenty-fourth...).
