Neighborhood market Hanover Mercantile opens in Mechanicsville

Emily Lavold, left, and Jessica Adams recently opened Hanover Mercantile in Mechanicsville. (Photos courtesy Hanover Chamber of Commerce)

Two local sisters are taking their year-old retail concept to the next level with the launch of a brick-and-mortar store.

Jessica Adams and Emily Lavold earlier this month opened Hanover Mercantile, which sells food, gifts, home goods, beer and wine, at 8109 Judith Lane. It is the first tenant to open at The Shops at Rutland Grove, a relatively new commercial development off Chamberlayne Road.

The sisters founded Hanover Mercantile last year, starting with pop-up events and later a booth at Red Poppy Pickin’ indoor market. Customer feedback inspired the decision to grow the business with a dedicated store. Adams said they were looking for a shopping experience similar to what can be found in the city of Richmond, but out in the growing suburbs.

“This area is really exciting because this kind of store doesn’t exist here right now. Hanover is building up so fast. It’s a lot of families familiar with the Fan area of Richmond but had kids and had to move. They want to have the cute shops (nearby),” she said.

Hanover Mercantile holds workshops and events in addition to selling its retail offerings.

Adams said the majority of items sold in the 1,800-square-foot store come from Virginia businesses, including bacon, sausage and jerky from Studley Farms as well as flowers and honey from Tramonto Farms. Both farms are based in Hanover. The store’s home goods include candles and room sprays from 1027 Candle Co. in Henrico, and personal care items from Texas-based Rowe Casa Organics.

Hanover Mercantile has indoor and outdoor seating areas as well as a room that’s available for rent for small private events like baby showers. The company also hosts workshops like paint-and-sip sessions and candle-making lessons. Adams said its offerings are geared toward making the store a hub for area residents.

“Our focus is being family-friendly and being a local, hometown staple, where you go to shop and have a sense of community,” Adams said.

Adams estimated that the store cost about $350,000 to open, between buildout, inventory, signage and other expenses.

Hanover Mercantile is the first tenant to open at the Shops at Rutland Grove.

Adams, who is a marketer, and Lavold, who works as a real estate agent, co-own Hanover Mercantile, which they launched in March 2024 in the county.

The store is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The company offers a $25 per month membership program that provides discounts, early access to tickets for workshops and other perks.

Hanover Mercantile is the first commercial tenant to open at Rutland Grove, formerly called Southerly at Caldwell Park, a nearly 50-acre development that features a subdivision built by HHHunt and a small retail area fronting Chamberlayne Road.

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