Meet the Vendor
The Hill Antique Market: Love the name of your business!
Mercante: Thanks! Via Mercante translates to “street merchant” in Italian and is a play on my last name. It also describes the assortment of items offered—unique antiques, eclectic vintage decor and original art…a little bit of everything!
THAM: What specific treasures are folks likely to find in your booth?
Mercante: I tend to gravitate toward smaller pieces of furniture (some of which I paint), vintage toys and children’s items, pottery, old art prints, photos and advertising. My sister has an eye for hand-stitched items, so there’s usually some of that, too. I love quirky pieces, so there will always be something unique to see.
THAM: When you’re on the hunt, what kinds of vintage items do you find most thrilling?
Mercante: I love old advertising art from the early 1900s through the mid-fifties—the level of talent and skill that went into those illustrations is amazing. I like to have at least a few great pieces in the booth. I also love pottery, so, there’s a lot of that in my space as well.
THAM: When did you first discover your love for all things vintage and antique?
Mercante: I grew up going to farm and estate auctions with my parents. My dad bought old radios and tools. My mom bought and refinished furniture, and she had an eye for items that could be reused or repurposed for our home—she was an “upcycler” before there was a name for it.
THAM: Do you have a personal collection?
Mercante: I collect vintage art supplies, advertising art and toys from the 1920s-30s, art pottery from the 1920s-40s…and pretty much any advertising item that’s odd or unusual. Full disclosure: I also have a big Pez container collection (hundreds) that I’ve had for over 35 years.
THAM: Do you have a personal collection?
Mercante: I collect vintage art supplies, advertising art and toys from the 1920s-30s, art pottery from the 1920s-40s…and pretty much any advertising item that’s odd or unusual. Full disclosure: I also have a big Pez container collection (hundreds) that I’ve had for over 35 years.
THAM: What do you enjoy most about being a vendor?
Mercante: I love the thrill of the hunt, always have. So, being a vendor is the perfect balance of having a shop, having it manned every day, and still being able to go look for great product. Being able to showcase the merchandise in such a beautiful place is the icing on the cake.
THAM: If being a vendor is a side gig, what are your other talents?
Mercante: My first career was as a graphic designer and art director for advertising and sales-promotion agencies here in St. Louis. I transitioned to event-marketing after a few years and designed sets and coordinating materials for mobile-marketing tours in St. Louis and New Jersey. I’ve freelanced design work off and on since my husband and I started our family, and in recent years I’ve gotten back in my studio, creating fused glass and assemblage art from vintage items. Now that our youngest is off to college, I’m a full-time artist and vendor.
THAM: What’s your favorite feature of The Hill Antique Market?
Mercante: It’s an amazing space, with a fun family of vendors! The style and vision of the management team brings “a little extra” that you don’t encounter every day. I can’t say enough nice things about The Hill Antique Market…they truly take care of, and care about, their vendors. I’ve only been here a short time, but it feels like home
Ellen Mercante has been selling vintage and antique items for 10 years. Via Mercante is a collaboration with her sister, Barb; they also sell vintage merchandise at the St. Charles Antique Mall. You can find Ellen’s original assemblage art, fused glass items, and vintage odds and ends at Art Meets Vintage in St. Charles. Follow Ellen on Instagram and on Facebook.
All booth images ©2020 Ellen Mercante.
