Roost Mercantile is a tribute to the unrivaled creativity that can be found in Lake Country. For the past ten years, the Pewaukee shop has offered handmade goods, reworked treasures, and vintage steals that are hand selected with love. Roost Mercantile’s owner, Kristine, has worked tirelessly to build a business that puts the spotlight on innovative and outstanding local talents. From the moment customers step in the door, the store’s charm is on full display: From the sweet smell of a recently lit hand-poured candle to the smiling faces of the enthusiastic employees. It makes sense why Kristine claims that Roost is known for being “The hostess with the mostess!”
Kristine’s journey to turn Roost into a creative institution stems from her own artistic endeavors. Several years before she started the business, Kristine spent much of her free time painting and repurposing old furniture. She would go to estate sales or find interesting pieces left on the side of the road. Then, with a bit of elbow grease and a lot of imagination, she would transform the furniture into something new and chic. In March of 2015, Kristine opened Roost Mercantile and began selling her work.
Kristine wanted Roost to be more than just hers. After building strong relationships within the Lake Country community, she found a whopping 100 additional vendors to take part in the business. Roost provides spaces for each of these local craftspeople to sell their wares. It combines the comforting feeling of being at a farmers market with the wonder of being at an art gallery. “I’m always looking for great local vendors,” Says Kristine. “I love to be intrigued by craftspeople.”
Creativity evidently runs in Kristine’s family. Her 25 year old daughter has a vendor space at Roost as well, where she offers original inventions built out of vintage pieces. Both ladies have a passion for antiques, a love which is prominently featured throughout the store. Each of the carefully selected retro pieces are thoughtfully chosen and displayed everywhere you look. “It’s nostalgic- It’s like only the best parts of going to your grandma’s house!”
Most of the vendors have been a part of Roost since its opening. Kristine credits this to her strong relationship with the artists, each of which she has personally selected to have a space inside the store. Like many people within Lake Country’s creative community, she wanted to provide an alternative to big box stores. The shop is a way to make high quality, fun products easily accessible. “By shopping small, we can keep money in our community,” Kristine says. “After all, there’s no better place to live and raise your kids than in Lake Country.”
Kristine’s passion has made Roost Mercantile into a destination unlike any other. There are remarkable gems to be found around each corner. Best of all, every customer who comes in ends up leaving as a friend.
