Brunch at the Merc serves southern comfort, scratch-made fare for breakfast and lunch with house-roasted, Open Road Roastery, coffee. Located at the former Blue Door Cafe in the Draper Village.
In the summer of 2017, we stopped for lunch at The Draper Mercantile’s Blue Door Cafe. Motivated by the idea that local should always support local, we traveled that day to Pulaski County to introduce ourselves and our Open Road Roastery coffee to like-minded businesses. After we were seated, we noticed Chef T and Debbie Gardner, owner of The Mercantile, chatting at a nearby table. Jen passed along business cards and regards. Both Chef T and Debbie were inquisitive—and extremely busy—so we only had five minutes to win them over. An hour and a half later, the conversation was still going strong!
Common ground was discovered when Chef T realized that Chad was also a chef. A connection between coffee and culinary worlds originated in that moment. Chef T proposed crafting a special five-course dinner utilizing Open Road’s various offerings, pairing them with and infusing them into delectable, creative cuisine. Artistry and innovation bounced back and forth across the table. Chad also offered to roast a special coffee blend—the Merc Perc—to be unveiled at this Grind & Dine with Wine event.
After a successful evening, with Chad and Chef T working together in the kitchen and Jen serving flavorful French presses and heartwarming stories, an idea percolated. It was proposed that Chad should join the Merc kitchen for other such events. In short time, he stepped into the role full time so that Chef T could continue to spread her creativity and culinary gifts beyond the reach of The Merc. Her exquisite dinners had impressed local patrons so much that her popularity and demand flourished. Her skill and creativity needed to be showcased in further such events within The Village, as well as beyond.
In passing conversation, The Mercantile’s owner, Debbie, expressed that her initial vision had included a coffee shop within The Village. We were thrilled at such a notion! We always imagined our coffee paired with delicious, Appalachian-inspired comfort food. The idea bloomed further, and Open Road Roastery’s Coffee and Biscuits at The Draper Mercantile was inspired. Soon thereafter, every Saturday morning, we woke up The Village with freshly-roasted, hot coffee and mouth-watering biscuits.
After an amazingly warm and positive response from patrons like you, owners Debbie and Bill extended an invitation to embrace a more permanent home within The Village. How could we refuse such an opportunity to expand our coffee and culinary vision? As breakfast had once been revered by locals and travelers alike, we all agreed that breakfast needed to return to The Merc on a full-time basis. With an already successful lunch following firmly in place, it was established that breakfast plus lunch service would be the direction for the restaurant. And, naturally, both should be offered all day. Combined with Chef T’s innovative, specialty dinners and events, styles and stomachs would be satisfied with every plate and for every palate.
Who knew when we planned to sell The Merc coffee that so much more lay just around the bend? Friendships, moments beautifully crafted, like-mindedness—it truly does take a Village. Today, we proudly present to you The Village’s latest addition—BRUNCH at The Merc. We invite you to experience classic, inspired culinary delights paired with Open Road Roastery’s freshly-roasted coffee in a gathering place where you become a part of The Merc family.
The table is set and your mug is full. Come in and make yourself at home.
Warmly,
Chad and Jen Jones
