By K.G. Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer
In the Sewanee Village, one can always tell what season it is by looking to Taylor’s Mercantile. During the spring and summer, the front yard of the business is abloom with color and houseplants and bedding plants. During the fall, the landscape changes inside and out to oranges, yellows and browns. There are all sorts of flowers, tablescapes and rugs to decorate a home.
And, it is the start of the holiday season when Ken Taylor decorates his store for his annual open house, which is Saturday, Nov. 3, and Sunday, Nov. 4.
People come near and far for the open house, which is now in its 28th year.
“For years I was told that I could not start decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. So during the Thanksgiving weekends we would spend countless hours decorating. Then somebody well-respected in the retail business told me I needed to start getting the holiday merchandise out early,” said Taylor.
For many, the open house is the highlight of their holiday tradition. “People from all over come to the store. Some come to just purchase a few items and some to just get decorating ideas. For most, coming to Taylor’s during the holiday season is the beginning of their holiday tradition,” said Taylor.
“Some come for the Santas. Some come for flowers. Some come for holiday tableware. Then there are a few who without fail come and purchase their nutcrackers every year from us,” said Taylor. “This is the highlight of their holiday.”
This year, each retail business in the Village will take part in the open house. “It is neat that everyone wants to be involved,” said Taylor.
Taylor’s Mercantile began on January 1, 1984, when he and his mother, Evelyn, bought the old hardware store owned by Jeanette and Bill Hamilton. The building was previously Brooks General Merchandise. The original building burned in 1918, and the building was completely rebuilt in 1921.
“When we purchased the building, the back half of the store was still filled with the hardware inventory,” said Taylor. “In the front of the store, I had purchased an old Coca-Cola cooler and filled it with flowers. We went to the markets in Chattanooga with about $1,000, and purchased merchandise to fill in the front part of the store.
“Obviously, I have purchased more items than that throughout the years,” said Taylor.
The hardware part of the store lasted another 10 years at Taylor’s. As big box stores replaced the smaller hardware stores, Taylor moved to offering what he liked best: unique gifts and flowers.
He did not always want to be a shop owner. As a graduate student, he was accepted to medical school at Vanderbilt. “I dropped out because I was not passionate about it. I have found that this store is my passion.”
After purchasing the building, he and his mother both continued to work at the Sewanee hospital. “We took turns running the store.” That hard work and dedication have paid off. “We have worked to grow our business into the exceptional, not just the ordinary,” said Taylor.
In addition to the seasonal gifts, weddings and party decorating, Taylor is also known for his work in the annual greening of All Saints’ Chapel during Lessons and Carols weekend. He started this in 1982.
“Now, the greening has grown into a huge event, with 100 –150 people helping to decorate All Saints’.” He and his wife, Lynn, still wait until the last minute to decorate the lectern and pulpit with fresh flowers and greenery themselves. He continues to volunteer his time for this annual event because “it is the right thing to do for the community. The community makes Taylor’s my favorite part of being in business. You get to share good news with people, such as their weddings or other special occasions,” said Taylor.
“And, we always hear how we have made their day special,” he said.
