Midtown Mercantile Merchants, LLC — Attraction in Tucson

People are thrifting now more than ever. Is it because everyone is broke and looking for affordable second hand items? Perchance. Is it because there’s a element of personable responsibility in not purchasing something shiny and new only to be disgarded in short time and instead opting for something with long term usage and character? Perchance. Is it just looking for attention from people and getting cool hipster points? Mostly. I am no stranger to Goodwill and Savers because of the thrill I get from purchasing shirts with questionable stains. But after enough time, one needs to up the thrill just a little bit.

I decided to upgrade to trying my hand at antiquing. There are plenty of antique stores here in the ol’ Pueblo and it’s a beautiful thing. Us desert folk love trinkets and random stuff to entertain ourselves with because when going outside is like stepping into an air fryer hair dryer, we must find ways to stay sane indoors. I saw a sketchy group of geriatrics in the parking lot of a Safeway forming a barter circle and trading porcelain items, small appliances, miscellaneous garments and relics of time past. They were giddy as could be and I got closer and closer to try to get more details. I heard one of them say “If it wasn’t for Midtown Mercantile Merchants, I’d be spending money on my grandchildren instead!” and then they all quietly laughed. My cart made a squeek and suddenly they all darted their angry gaze toward me and scattered like panicked wrinkly orangutans, jumping over cars and climbling street lamps to get away. Apparently I stumbled into a hidden gem of a secret. So the next day, I had to go see for myself.

As I entered the building, I was pleasantly assaulted with the warehouse overstimulation of rows and rows and shelves and shelves of glassware, artwork, funny hats, trinkets, old-timey dressers, jewelry, clothing, mid-century furniture, elvis wigs, lawn statues, remnants of a divorce in 1965, half smoked cigarettes from WWI, toilets from the set of Lawrence of Arabia, creepy dolls from the 1940s that will for sure awaken at 3am and unalive you and your whole family and so much more.

I spent 25 minutes holding a life-sized wooden owl I found while going “ooh” and “ahh” in every aisle. I saw signs declaring an “Underground” section of the store where you have to take an elevator to. Curiosity got the best of me and I decided to check it out. I hit the elevator button but evidently I went one floor too low as the door opened and there was what seemed to be a goth, 90s vampire rave going on. Some blood soaked, long fanged old-timers tried to lure me in but I mouthed “I’m good” and went one floor up. More antiques!

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better. I was still holding my prized wooden owl & as I was looking at some rotary dial telephones, some old couple walked by and stopped in front of me. The man smiled and said “nice owl! We’ve been looking for one” and I clenched it tighter immediately saying “yeah well it’s now mine. It’s the only one they had and I won’t give it up”. The wife looked at him and his smile turned into a tightly pursed angry scowl. “Henry, we need a garden owl. You know how much I need a garden owl”. “How much was the sticker price, young man?”. “Not willing to say. How much is it worth to you? How much is your wife’s joy worth, Henry? What kind of man are you? Really?” He reluctantly pulled a checkbook out of his back pocket and licked a pen. “How’s $85 sound?” “Sounds like more than my tax refund this year, Henry. Make it $87 and the owl is yours”. Henry smiled and shook his head in bittersweet resentment as he ripped the check and handed it to me. “Pleasure doing business, big dog. Enjoy your owl”. They started aggressively making out and I made my way back to the elevator. I’ve known for a while this is how the big bucks are made. Envy and jealousy. I was down an owl and up a tank of gas and maybe a Lunchables. I’ll be back for another great experience if not for that spiky 19th century Bavarian war...

Review of Midtown Mercantile since they relocated: The booths were very nice and I appreciate the vendors a ton for putting together such amazing stuff. However, as a returning customer who waited for them to reopen and was excited to go shopping, I was so disappointed in the staff’s behavior. We were followed around the entire time we shopped. I had on leggings and a skin tight long sleeve, if I was going to steal where on Earth would I have put it, I had no pockets! We brought every item up to the front to be placed into our cubby so trust me it wasn’t that we were holding items. It was my birthday and the staff made me so uncomfortable to the point where I was outwardly complaining about it yet they didn’t stop. To top it off when we went to check out and were standing at the register a different cashier told my husband to move, not asked, literally told him to move even though he wasn’t blocking or standing in front of their register. The cashier who checked us out was also very rude and either hated their job, or us, I don’t know. Highly recommend shopping at other antique, and vintage shops in town. Personally the 22nd street antique mall has much friendlier staff and better vendor pricing. Even Tom’s with their outlandish pricing is a better experience. Hey Midtown Mercantile, free popcorn doesn’t matter if you’re going to harass your customers. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

If management is curious, a middle aged woman with glasses followed us the entire time, upstairs and downstairs. She continually asked us if we were alright or needed help. We tried to politely get her to stop by insisting that we’re okay and do not need assistance, but clearly that meant nothing. The cashiers were two younger women, both with glasses as well, one brunette one more alternative. As another young person who loves antiques, none of your staff are special or above the customers they serve. Also to the lady who profiled us, having tattoos and my husband being a POC doesn’t make us criminals. This was our last time...

great sellers and items. unfortunately the owners of the building and security demand my cardiac alert dog to be in uniform though. refused to see her certification or anything else. not sure if it’s because she’s a non traditional service dog breed, a 4lb chihuahua, or something else.

updated to Tamara’s response- we didn’t see anyone to declare our dog to, when a security guard approached us telling us no dogs were allowed, we told her that she’s a service animal. after that she left us alone. she was very respectful towards us and kind. soon after a thin, balding male approached us, told us the same thing, explained it to him, and he said that my dog has to be in uniform. ive never had an issue with her being “plainly dressed”. ADA says there are only two questions that one can ask, and that’s if she’s required because of a disability along with what work/task the dog has been trained to perform, so being denied entry due to her not being “uniformed” was something i’ve never encountered before. offered to show him her ADA registration, he declined. we left regardless since we didn’t feel welcomed by the people there and didn’t want to make a scene. she’s leashed, extremely well behaved and trained. it’s unfortunate, ive been going here for god knows how long. old location and new one. i love the work you guys do, supporting locals here in tucson and providing a safe space for them to set up their booths. i just don’t feel comfortable setting foot in...