First things first: My new fall collection is now in Walmart stores all over this great land of ours. I drove to a store last night once I heard everything was on the shelves because I’ve been so excited to see everything all together. I was the crazy lady in aisle two taking photos of plates and bowls! Here is a more detailed peek at all the fun things.
And now…good morning! Did I happen to mention that Marlboro Man and I bought a building in our small town in 2012? And that we have slowly and surely been planning and working on opening a store and deli? And that somewhere along the way my beloved suggested adding a full bakery component, and coffee also hopped on board? And that since March of this year, we have been in full gear, renovating our old building, planning menus, getting packaging ready, stocking our warehouse (which used to be an old Walmart store; life is funny!), and trying to keep our wits about us as we plow through all the bumps and gastrointestinal challenges that come with getting a 100-plus year old building ready to open for business?
Well, we have. And we did. And we are. Ha.
Up until now, we have been very hesitant to give an opening date for The Merc, but today I’m gonna go for it:
We will be opening our doors on October 31, 2016! That is later than when we originally wanted to open, but after all this time and work, we want everything to be just right. Since everything is going to really pick up steam on the construction front, I’ll be posting more photos and updates of the building so we can finish up this thing together! I just wanted to give the official date so you’d know it’s safe from then on out to make plans to come if you’re so inclined! We would love to see ya.
Thank you for being here for me to share it with you along the way.
Love,
P-Widdy
Ree Drummond is the founder of The Pioneer Woman and a lover of butter, basset hounds and life on the ranch! Ree started her blog in 2006, and now millions visit ThePioneerWoman.com every month for her trusted recipes and fun family stories. Here’s what she has been up to since it all began:
New York Times Bestselling Author
Ree has written two memoirs (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and Frontier Follies) plus nine bestselling cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (2009)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier (2012)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays (2013)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (2015)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! (2017)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier (2019)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy (2021)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready! (2023)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes (2025)
Food Network Host
Since 2011, Ree has been sharing simple, family-friendly recipes—and the occasional kitchen prank!—on her award-winning show The Pioneer Woman, filmed right on Drummond Ranch. Ree is also a regular judge on Food Network competitions, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Founder, The Pioneer Woman Collection
Ree has been creating and selling kitchen and home products at Walmart since 2015 and she’s involved in designing every piece and pattern. The line now includes best-selling appliances (you have to see the floral blender!), plus hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, and more. Ree doesn’t like to play favorites but the Agatha print has a special place in her heart.
Restaurant and Hotel Owner
Together with her husband Ladd, Ree has opened several bustling businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, including The Pioneer Woman Mercantile—a bakery, restaurant, and general store that draws visitors from across the country (many come for the biscuits alone!), P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop, and The Boarding House, a charming hotel with eight different rooms decorated by Ree and Ladd.
Media Personality
Ree appears regularly on national TV shows like Today, Good Morning America and more—all while managing to keep flour off her shirt.
Wife, Mom and…Grandma!
Ree’s kids (daughters Alex and Paige and sons Bryce and Todd) are all grown up, and as of December 2024, Ree is the proud grandma of the cutest baby ever, Sofia Scott, born to Alex and her husband Mauricio. Ree still cooks for Ladd (and the kids when they’re home), and she also looks after a few mischievous ranch dogs.
