The building that most people now refer to as the "Mercantile" is also known as the Magendie/Brunet Building. In 1852 V.E. Magendie bought a wooden structure on this lot. This building burnt in the great fire of 1854. Magendie first rebuilt of wood and then in 1855 he constructed the current brick structure. Later the building became a clothing and grocery store.
The State purchased the structure in 1948.
In April of 1960, Roy and Mary Raney moved the Columbia Mercantile from the building now occupied by the Nelson Candy Kitchen into the Magendie/Brunet building.
The building now is a grocery store with groceries, beer, wine, film, and more. The building is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
