Nestled in a repurposed home in the center of the Sunnyland neighborhood, Martini Mercantile is a small, independent shop that seeks to bring creatives closer to their customers.
The Shop
Opened in 2024, the building primarily houses owner Marijo Martini’s personal business Martini Metal Craft, and has enough space for both her metalworking studio and a place to sell her creations.
Additionally, Martini has invited a few local artists and artisans to use part of the building for valuable studio space, and filled the rest of the retail space with hand-picked products from Bellingham and beyond. Today, the shop’s main floor is filled with a tasteful selection of items for sale, while the upper floor houses four working artist studios.
“Every nook and cranny in this place should have some type of person creating in it,” says Martini.
The Atmosphere
Softly and thoughtfully lit with warm lamps, the shop’s interior is a curated feast for the eyes. Visitors are invited to take their time perusing the colorful products, and Martini takes pride in creating an atmosphere where people feel happy and comfortable. Most of the time, customers are welcome to go upstairs and greet the artists working in the studio spaces!
The Mercantile’s walls are often used as gallery space for local artists, and the business regularly opens its doors to participate in local events, like the Sunnyland Art Walk or the Sunnyland Stomp.
The People
Martini Mercantile, along with showcasing Martini’s own art, is dedicated to celebrating the handiwork of talented creatives that Martini has encountered throughout her life. Even the business’s branding and logo were the work of a graphic designer friend, Bryan Hintz!
The full-time artists that work in the Sunnyland shop’s studio spaces are painter Darcie Gray of RANGE Design Studio, printmaker Dan Filler of fillerfog design, and clothing designer and upcycler Suzanne Lundberg of The Goat’s Coat. And of course, when she’s not helping customers, Martini is busy in her own studio space working on elegantly forged metal accessories and jewelry for Martini Metal Craft.
What You’ll Find
Martini Mercantile’s rotation of wares changes routinely, and the plethora of different products ensures that there’s something for every kind of customer. Upon your visit, you’ll find things like decorative objects, culinary goods, fashion pieces, stationery, and jewelry, but the shop’s eclectic inventory always has some surprises in store.
“I love that brick-and-mortar tactile experience. I’ve always loved having that,” Martini says. “To me, it’s about meeting the person that does the work, but also experiencing the art, their approach.”
Favorites
Putting the store’s inventory together is a labor of love for Martini, who delights in sharing indie makers’ work with the community.
“When I select things, I’m selecting what I love,” says Martini. “If it brings me joy, I’d like to think that it will bring somebody else joy.”
Recently, she’s been loving the Maruman B5 Spiral Note notebook, found in the shop’s stationery section. The award-winning Japanese notebook boasts high-quality paper and a crisp design sensibility, and Martini swears by it for note-taking. On the decorative side, Martini is a big fan of local ceramicist Kim Murton’s miniature head sculptures, and you can find a whimsical collection of them hung in a line along a shop shelf.
Martini Mercantile, 2100 Iron St., Bellingham, 360.441.5450, martinimetalcraft.com
Photograph by Sophia Jellinghaus
