People Behind the Presents: Kylie Varnum, Ryan Faraci & Jenna Cauchi, Liberty Street Mercantile
Liberty Street Mercantile opened in October of 2023, transforming a historic 1939 warehouse into a beautiful space that shared where multiple small businesses come together under one roof, each bringing its own personality, products, and passion to the experience. Together, they create something that feels less like a store and more like a community.
image from Liberty Street Mercantile Google
What Makes Liberty Street Mercantile Different
Interior of Living|Room Co., a shop inside the Liberty Street Mercantile
Shopping at Liberty Street Mercantile is intentionally different from both big box stores and online retailers. As Kylie Varnum, Shop Manager at Living|Room Collective, explains, what truly sets the Mercantile apart, especially during the busy holiday season, is heart.
“What sets Liberty Street Mercantile apart from national online retailers during the busy holiday rush is heart. Every shop inside is a small business run by people who truly care about what they carry, and about you,” Kylie shares.
The Mercantile is designed to be a one-stop shop for gifting, offering something special for everyone across all its businesses. But it’s not just about convenience. It’s about connection. From helping customers find the right gift to wrapping it beautifully and sending it off with care, the experience is deeply personal.
“When you shop here, you’re not just clicking ‘add to cart’ - you’re connecting with people who pour themselves into what they do, and you leave with gifts that mean a little more because of it,” she says.
A Sense of Community
Gift ideas from Rhythm & Vinyl, a shop inside the Liberty Street Mercantile
That sense of care extends beyond customers to the relationships between the businesses themselves. According to Ryan Faraci, Owner of Rhythm & Vinyl, collaboration within Liberty Street Mercantile happens naturally.
“Collaboration with the other businesses at the Liberty St. Mercantile is very easy because each business complements the other so well,” Ryan explains. “While each shop is distinct, there’s an overlapping audience that creates what he describes as a cohesive ecosystem, with each business enhancing the overall experience for visitors.”
Those collaborations take many forms. Asdelia Mae hosted a Taylor Swift party that coincided with the release of The Life of a Showgirl. Blakemore’s Flowers has helped decorate monthly live music stages. Every business contributes merchandise to the table during live music events. Rather than competing, the shops lift one another up.
“The community doesn’t just make collaboration easy,” Ryan says. “It makes it a natural part of doing business.”
Images from Liberty Street Mercantile Facebook and Instagram
The Downtown Connection
The Downtown Spirit
The people (and dog) behind the Liberty Street Mercantile
Liberty Street Mercantile is deeply connected to Downtown Harrisonburg, especially during the holidays. For Jenna Cauchi, Owner of Asdelia Mae Boutique, that season brings something truly special.
“What I love most about Downtown Harrisonburg during the holidays is the sense of community that fills the town,” Jenna shares. “The lights, music, and smiling faces make the whole downtown feel magical.”
As a small shop owner, seeing families choose to shop local carries extra meaning. Supporting one another, making memories, and sharing in the season creates a feeling that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
“There’s just something about that cozy, hometown holiday spirit,” she says. “You can feel the love and warmth in every visit.”
More Than Shopping
Every purchase supports real people who care deeply about their work and their community, and every visit adds to the story of Downtown Harrisonburg. During the holidays and beyond shopping locally is about more than what you take home. It’s about the relationships you build, the care behind every item, and the shared belief that community matters.
Check out the Downtown Harrisonburg Holiday Gift Guide to meet more people behind the presents, and check out the Liberty Street Mercantile social media to see what is happening at each shop!