PRESS RELEASE: Smith + Trade Mercantile

GREATER STILLWATER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / PRESS RELEASE
Chamber Celebrates New Member and New Business Smith + Trade Mercantile
Kelli Kaufer and Erin Quast, co-owners, cut the ribbon at the Chamber celebration for new member Smith + Trade Mercantile.
Photo courtesy of Kristina Marshall, Kristina Lynn Photography and Design..
July 23, 2019. Stillwater, MN. The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce celebrated the new
member and new business Smith + Trade Mercantile at a ribbon cutting on July 18, 2019. The
event took place at 229 Main Street South, Stillwater. Smith + Trade co-owners, Kelli Kaufer and
Erin Quast, staff, several of the smiths (artisans), family, friends, fans, Chamber Ambassadors,
members, and staff shared in the celebration. Around 100 people in attendance cheered when
the ribbon was cut.
It started just a few months ago at a wine tasting, the idea for Smith + Trade Mercantile that is,
and came to fruition at the end of May. If you do the math, it means Smith + Trade wasn't even
a concept in 2018. Things have come together fast and furiously for the small business owners,
Kelli and Erin. The duo puts a face and a story to handmade products and lets the buyer identify
and embrace why that person put such passion into their creation. The mission of the store is to
provide a retail brick and mortar experience, along with online marketing and eCommerce
support, for Minnesota / St Croix Valley merchants who want to showcase the best Minnesota
has to offer.
Smith + Trade is looking forward to growing their business and being a vital part of the
community. “Our goal at the Mercantile is to create an experience where artisans and
customers can interact through special events, classes, and unique market shopping
experiences; like our Mercantile Markets starting in August. These markets will focus on
collaborating with the community, local farmers, neighboring merchants and our Smith’s,”
explains Kelli. Both of the store owners reside in the Valley. Kelli resides in Stillwater with her
husband, Paul, while Erin and her husband, Roger, call Oak Park Heights home.

Smith + Trade Mercantile
229 Main Street South, Unit B
Stillwater, MN 55082
Kelli Kaufer
info@smithandtrade.com
(651) 342-2976

###