So it turns out that opening a building that houses a deli, bakery, and store is just a wee bit time consuming! Ha.
Hi, friends! I’ve missed talking to you! But I’ve had to wave the white flag over the past week or two and surrender what has been an unbelievably fun process of opening The Mercantile.
It appears I underestimated just how good it would feel to be done with the construction. While I have been beyond busy over the past two weeks since we opened, and while I feel like I should be exhausted, I think that has all been balanced by the state of post-construction euphoria I’m experiencing. I have always thought in the back of my mind that I would never want to build a new house from scratch, and now I have never been more resolute on that point. I will never—NEVER, EVER NEVEREVERNEVEREVERRRRRRRRRRRRR—build a house from scratch in my entire life. I will never build a shed from scratch. I will never play with Lincoln Logs again. I have learned through this process that I have my limits, and that I am not personally fulfilled or excited by the daily grind (and myriad decisions) of a renovation project. I don’t have the intestinal fortitude! By the very end, I was losing my religion. Not really, that’s just a saying, but you get my point.
So we’re open, and we’re able to enjoy The Mercantile the way we always intended: with people from near and far, who are coming to have a fun time. The kids are involved and helping out in their own unique ways, too! For example, I believe I told you that Paige is a barista. On busy days, Todd and Bryce greet people in the line outside. Lord only knows what they are saying. Todd likes to carry around a basket of giveaway items—t-shirts, ceramics, and so on—and hold impromptu trivia contests. I think most of the questions are along the lines of “What is my mom’s least favorite fruit in the entire universe?” but I really have no idea. For all I know, he’s asking “How many junk drawers has my mom created in our kitchen” or “How many piles of cow manure are currently in our yard?”
But that’s what makes life more exciting!
I’m not sure if I’ve told you about my father-in-law Chuck. Ever since opening day, he has positioned himself outside the door of the deli and served as our official greeter. This was neither planned nor discussed ahead of time; he simply found his spot at The Merc and has stayed there faithfully ever since. He talks to visitors about where they are from, listens to their stories about what brought them to The Merc, and tells stories about Osage County and life on the ranch. I don’t know where Pa-Pa gets his stamina, but it’s like he was born to do this! He’s the best father-in-law ever.
Since I have been busy, I haven’t had a lot of time to snap photos. Fortunately, there’ve been lots of Instagram posts in the past couple of weeks, so I thought I’d share some of them here! It’ll paint a better picture than I’m able to paint.
And painting reminds me of renovation projects, which makes me want to stay far away!
Can you tell I’m scarred?
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A peek at our coffee! It is so tasty.
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One of our younger guests. Chicken fingers FTW!
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I’ve met so many kind, wonderful people who’ve come to visit.
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The top of our menu!
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This is one of my favorite photos of the Merc sign. So pretty!
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Just a peek at some of the sweet ceramics we have in the store.
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Marlboro Man has been at The Merc, too! He’s balancing feeding cattle and working calves with heading in there, saying hello to folks…and eating. He’s in love with the chicken fried steak!
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In other news, I want a hat like this.
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Sweet girls!
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Breakfast at The Merc is yummy.
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Clothing area behind us! (I need to stay out of there…it’s dangerous.)
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We are having a wonderful time! We’re still working out the kinks here and there, and will continue to tweak and adjust things as they come up, but in the meantime, I’ve decided something: I really love owning a store and deli. I love it even more so that it is in our hometown, and that we can enjoy it with the whole family. It will be a lot of work and require constant nurturing and thought…but that can be said about anything that’s worth doing.
Thanks for being patient while I got through the past couple o’ weeks! This is my last week of filming, so the skies should open up for me a bit more. I can’t wait for Thanksgiving! I’ve been craving stuffing.
Love,
P-Widdle Diddle
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.
