(ROCKWALL, TX – Dec. 23, 2015) When you first walk into Rockwall Mercantile and Apothecary, located at 105 W. Washington St., you’re almost immediately calmed by the unique aromas of the various essential oils and herbs on the shelves.
Not to mention that sense of nostalgia brought about by some of the objects housed there, including cabinets once belonging to the old Rockwall Pharmacy building, a couple of wooden ironing boards on consignment from the Rockwall County Historical Foundation Museum, barn wood from an old farm owned by Ben Payne who settled in the Fate area from Missouri in the 1800s, and most always a tune playing from an era of big band and swing dancing.
“It’s our desire to preserve yesteryear for some of the people who wouldn’t have known it otherwise,” said Lisa Cauble, sole proprietor and creator of Rockwall Mercantile and Apothecary.
Lisa has lived in Rockwall County her entire life and has been a local business owner for quite some time, having opened her first business – a salon and spa called Imagination, which she sold to longtime friend Kelley Winner, and is now Mirror Mirror Hair Studio.
Lisa works alongside Jill Barton and June Walker, whose creativity helps bring a most sensory experience to their clients by offering retail one can touch, taste and smell. They support local artisans, and a mainstay is a line of light fixtures which June’s husband makes out of found objects. Different types of teas and spices, and artwork from Eastern Europe make up some of the mercantile and apothecary’s distinctive inventory, along with its supply of GMO (genetically modified organisms)-free organic moisturizers, body scrubs and essential oil blends that Lisa makes individually.
“Many of the oils, herbs and teas on our shelves are directly sold and encouraged as a new alternative to helping the body overcome the harmful side effects of our processed, over-chemicalized society today,” Lisa said.
According to Lisa, they have a lot of post-chemotherapy clients who come in searching for lotions and skin care products for their ultra-sensitive skin. While Lisa said Rockwall Mercantile and Apothecary makes no medical claims, many of its clients have benefitted from the products found in the business.
“We have heard testimony after testimony of people saying, ‘Oh wow, I used to have cramps and now I don’t get cramps anymore’ or ‘I used to have real bad migraines and now my migraines are gone,’” Lisa said. “So now it’s kind of fun because we’re starting to see the results.”
Of course, Rockwall Mercantile and Apothecary also offers massages and foot detoxes upstairs in its serene Affinity spa retreat. It also supports local singer-songwriter Katie Stewart, who Blue Ribbon News profiled in its last print edition. Katie had nothing but praise to offer Lisa and her place of business.
“I was totally blown away,” Katie said. “I didn’t know what to expect, and it was like this little gypsy paradise right in the middle of Rockwall. Lisa is such a wonderful person, inside and out. I couldn’t ask for a better place to have my CDs. She’s been really participatory and active in helping me sell my CDs, other than just by telling people about my music. She wants to be involved and it’s really awesome.”
Katie will be featured in the event “The 12 Artisans of Christmas” which runs through Jan. 9 at Rockwall Mercantile and Apothecary. Twelve local artists’ creations will be showcased, and Katie will perform on Jan. 9. A portion of the proceeds of the art sales will benefit a local charity.
Story and photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News staff writer.
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“The 12 Artisans of Christmas”
showing 12 local artists’ creations
Claudia Holt ~ Photo Art
Harold Cook ~ Free Lance Art
Theresa Brooks ~ Encaustic Art
Betty Jean Hoagland ~ Whimsical Art
Mike Mceachern~ Intuitive Art
Al Armisted ~ Recaimed Steam Punk Art
Jack Palmer ~ Photo Art
Olesea ~ Jewelry Art
Katie Stewart ~ Musician
Chas Thornhill ~ Woodturning fine Art
June Walker ~ Repurposed Art
~Vintage Salvage creations
at Rockwall Mercantile & Apothecary
through January 9.
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, Jan. 9
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