Gabe Stark
The Trenton Telegraph

The Trenton Telegraph is excited to partner with the Main Street Mercantile as part of our Community Insider Perks Program to maximize the value being a subscriber of the paper gives you and to support local businesses.

As part of their deal, the Mercantile is offering subscribers of the Telegraph $5 off when you make a $50 purchase, perfect for doing some last-minute Christmas shopping right on Main Street.

In the historic core of Trenton, The Main Street Mercantile is more than just a shop; it’s a welcoming haven, thanks to the vision and hard work of co-owners Amanda Jawahir and Shawna Tabbert. Their partnership, which began as a leap of faith, has blossomed into a business that brings warmth, creativity, and connection to the community.

Submitted
Shawna Tabbert and Amanda Jawahir standing outside the Mercantile.

The Mercantile opened its doors in 2019 as part of the Trenton Downtown Improvement Association’s incubator program, designed to give local vendors space to grow. Both Amanda and Shawna were among the original vendors. When the opportunity to take over the business came, Shawna, who has lived in Trenton her whole life, knew exactly whom she wanted by her side: her best friend, Amanda, who has lived in Trenton for 9 years.

“It was a no-brainer for me, especially working with your best friend. Like, it doesn’t get any better than that,” Shawna said.

The two women quickly discovered that running a business together was both rewarding and challenging.

“There’s a lot of balance. We don’t get to invest our 24/7 every second to do this, so we really have to figure out that balance, and that’s challenging,” Shawna said. Amanda agreed, highlighting time management as a major hurdle.

“We have a website as well, so we try to get all of our stuff online, manage inventory, social media—all things that come with owning a business and having families.”

Despite the challenges, the joy they find in their work is unmistakable.

“Doing something you love every day is like—you literally don’t get better than that. And when there are challenges, you get to do it with someone else right by your side,” Shawna said. What truly sets Main Street Mercantile apart is its atmosphere. Customers often linger, drawn in by the store’s inviting vibe.

“One of our biggest compliments is the way people feel when they come into our store. It’s not just you come here, buy something, and leave. We really want this place to be somewhere you walk in and just feel inspired, or at home, or comfortable,” Shawna said. Shawna added, “We get people who come in on their lunch break and say, ‘I just want to stay here. I just came in to relax.’ We get that a lot.”

At the Mercantile, a wide variety of products is for sale, including popular items such as clothing, soaps, decorations, and more. But one product in particular that Shawna and Amanda are excited about sharing is their newly released permanent jewelry. As of December 1, you can now buy custom-fit bracelets, anklets, or necklaces that are welded seamlessly without any clasp and are made from 14k gold or sterling chains.

“Getting Permanent Jewelry is a fun, memorable experience for groups, perfect for girls’ days, birthdays, bridal parties, or mother-daughter moments.” Said the mercantile, “It’s more than jewelry; it’s an experience to share and a memory that lasts forever.”

Both women are quick to credit the Trenton community for their success.

“A big thank you to our customers and community who are always supporting us and sticking by us. We know you have choices and options, and you guys choose to support local. It really means a lot,” Amanda said.

Looking ahead, Amanda and Shawna see Trenton on the rise. “I see growth. We’re seeing more and more customers by the month—a lot of out-of-town customers, new businesses, and renovations. People are investing in our town because they see the growth,” Amanda noted. Shawna agreed, reflecting on the town’s transformation: “Having grown up here, thinking about what it was to what it is now—it’s amazing.”

For those considering joining Trenton’s downtown resurgence, Shawna and Amanda has one message: “If you ever thought about investing or opening your business, now’s the time.”