The Mercantile is a great place to pick up interesting spices and spreads and my friends swear by their dark coco hot chocolate. My only beef is that things seem scattered everywhere and the setup is a bit overwhelming.
Although I do think they could rework their customer service tactics I don't share Susan M.'s racial concerns. I too am a visible minority and to be honest I didn't think the staff here was rude per se... I just don't see why on a busy shopping day such as Dec 23, you would have both your sales associate behind the cash and none of the floor helping customers.
I was looking for bacon salt and since there was no one available to help me I had to lineup in order to ask for assistance. Now that I know where it's located (first left wall as you walk in) my next visits will most likely more efficient.