By Darlene Brace
West Main Mercantile, located at 17/19 West Main Street in Falconer, is a retail store owned by Danielle and Angelo Marra. Their store showcases a variety of products from local businesses and entrepreneurs. It promotes the concept of shopping local, which invites you to discover the unique treasures our area has to offer. The Marras are dedicated to giving back to the community by providing a venue for community engagement that supports the growth and revitalization of Falconer.
in mind. First, they wanted to encourage community
engagement and support, which is a
big part of their mission. Secondly, they wanted
to support other small local businesses,
providing a space where they could sell their
goods. Lastly, they wanted to offer a place
with nutritious, affordable meals in Falconer.
Currently West Main Mercantile has
Before the idea of the mercantile came to be, the Marras had been busy raising four children, and Angelo worked in the area in grocery distribution. Danielle worked as an interior painter and designer, helping others transform their homes during renovations. In 2017, she founded “Pop of Color” to continue her passion for design. She briefly collaborated with realtor Jerod Zahn to enhance some of his listed houses’ marketability until the Covid pandemic hit, which caused a reduced demand for her services. In response, she began painting and redesigning old furniture, giving new life to solid wood pieces from Jamestown’s historic local manufacturers. Initially, she worked from her garage and later expanded to a small warehouse.
In 2017 and 2018, two fires left a block in the village quite barren, and the village had plans to tear down the remaining building, which was once Blue Fin Pet Shop. After that shop closed, the Marras wanted to buy the building and fought to save it. They bought it in the fall of 2022 despite some challenges and delays.
Now after two years of delays and renovations, the building was ready. The building, constructed in the early 1900s, features a blend of historic charm and modern Art Deco elements. It is classy, comfortable, and cozy, with exposed brick walls and hardwood floors. Danielle’s flare at décor gave her the ability to create a unique and inviting space for the community.
Danielle and Angelo opened West Main Mercantile in August of 2024, with three goals in mind. First, they wanted to encourage community engagement and support, which is a big part of their mission. Secondly, they wanted to support other small local businesses, providing a space where they could sell their goods. Lastly, they wanted to offer a place with nutritious, affordable meals in Falconer.
Currently West Main Mercantile has inventory from about 30 local businesses. One of the top sellers is Go To Meals, owned by Deon Gayton. After closing its Lakewood location, loyal customers have followed them to Falconer. This partnership increases foot traffic for the mercantile while meeting the demand for healthy, inexpensive meals. Go To Meals offers pre-packaged homemade options, priced under $8, including chicken and rice, Buffalo meatballs with cauliflower hash, a Big Mack Bowl, cauliflower crust pizza, breakfast bowls, and more. You can purchase meals to go or microwave them there on-site.
In the mercantile, you can also find a variety of other local products, including syrups, candy, jams, and popcorn, as well as plants, handcrafted jewelry, soaps, candles, furniture, wood crafts, and Fusion Paints. There are specialty items from Whizz n’ Smash, Grape Discovery, Peterson Candy, Chautauqua Soap, Crown Street Roasting Coffee, and a selection of Buffalo Bills merchandise. This is a sample of the items as there are too many to list, so the Marras would like to encourage you to stop in and see for yourself.
The mercantile has been very successful since opening in August. Angelo decided to sell his business in grocery distribution so he could work alongside his wife full-time, especially since there is more that the Marras would like to do at the mercantile. Eventually, Danielle would like to teach classes including painting furniture and signs, DIY crafts, and maybe even invite others to host their own classes and events.
For more information and updates on upcoming classes, you can visit their website at 1719westmain.com or stop by to see everything there. Danielle and Angelo hope to strengthen the community through their mercantile, inviting you to explore local products and support local small businesses. Community support is crucial for revitalizing and fostering growth in the village of Falconer. The Marras feel that they and West Main Mercantile are making a positive impact on the community by helping others succeed in their small business ventures.