Salt Creek Mercantile — Local services in Ashland

I like visiting downtown areas across Nebraska, so when I saw this place, I decided to take a look, as I always like a good opportunity to get new ideas for my home.

The store is located in a good corner spot, nice visibility. Upon entering, I quickly noticed that many items are all the same shade of dismal grey. There were some items in a few other colors, but the same wave of, dull dreary color was everywhere. A few of the soap varieties were nice. Looking at the housewares, there was not much I would use in my home. I gained my practical side from my mother, which means that I prefer my decor to be items that can be used, not to sit forever gathering dust while attempting to look pretty.

After a short bit browsing, I noticed a woman making candles, so I went to take a look. I commented that I had not seen the candle making process before, but she did not seem too keen on engaging with me. She mentioned something about the two candle types, but not much else. As I was walking away, I clearly said thank you, but she did not deem me fit for a response.

In all, I gained little from this visit. The colors were lackluster, with the service being underwhelming. If this is all they can offer the locals, I know of many better places to shop to give me far better inspiration, with much improved customer service.

Edit: So I am not allowed to leave a review on why I do not like a store? Why are you so intent on attempting to disallow a dissenting opinion? I visited your store, so I have every right to voice what I think and how I feel about it. Other reviews I made on different businesses have been belittled before. All it serves to do is make me mad, because you have the audacity to belittle me when I give an honest review about your business.

When you open a business to the public, you take everything, good and bad. I can see you have the small-town mindset of thinking you can bully people into saying what you want. Well, guess what? I am an experienced reviewer on multiple social media platforms, so this is far from my first rodeo. My criticism is constructive, take it as a means to improve, instead of bashing anything you do not like. There is too much of that in society already, you do not need to add to it.

As you cannot remove it, this review will remain as a testament to your poor...

Note: 18 positive reviews came within 24 hours after my previous update (see the end of the review)--"shoppers" that apparently came on a day when the store was closed. I cry foul. But that's okay. I get it. Small town cliques. Part of their charm.

The building is beautiful and historic, though I don't know the history of it. Being on the corner, I'm guessing it was originally a clothing or grocery store in the late 1800s.

The outside sign stated something about locally handcrafted furniture. It also states it is a store for decor and home goods. I thought I would find locally crafted goodies, but it appears the only thing local is the candles, made in-store. The decor items I picked up other than candles all had tags that said Made in China or Product of India. Far from the local goods and crafts I was hoping for. And the items all seem to be very colorless and drab. Light wood tones, browns, some faded blues. It seemed that all the merchandise would fit well in one particular home with one particular design theme. Nothing more or interesting unless that one design aesthetic is your vibe.

Edit: lowered to one star, due to the owner's critical response, objecting to my observation that all the items seem to be very colorless and drab and reprimanding me for not asking where the local items are. Perhaps if they want to indicate on their window that they carry local items, they need better signage inside the store rather than requiring customers ask where they are. Perhaps engaging customers to find out what they're looking for rather than waiting for customers to interrupt what you're doing to ask. Perhaps taking feedback in a review as an opportunity to improve your marketing, customer service skills, and / or merchandising choices, rather than pushing the customer further away with passive-agressive criticism. I might have returned at a later time to see if the selection changed with the seasons. Stores like this can be especially fun at Christmas. But as it is, I'm taking my money elsewhere and recommend...

Magnolia feel, right here in the midwest! If your in or around Omaha, and a fan of Joanna Gaines like, "farmhouse" style decor, you will find the short drive to Ashland an easy and charming one. And, what you'll find when you arrive will be more than worth the wait. Large front windows flanking the original corner door (check out that hardware!) invite you to explore all the gorgeous goodies inside.

Upon entering, you smell the homemade candles, you can feel the soft fabric and yarns used on the pillows and blankets, and your eyes delight in the distressed wood and metal pieces, ready to transform any home into a farmhouse dream. There are many handmade items, and the signage and accents are distinctive and fairly priced.

The staff are friendly, too. They greet you upon entry, but leave you alone to look, feel and play. (My preference - they don't hover, but are available to answer questions or offer advice.)

You will love this store, no matter the season or reason for your visit. Those big store windows are changed up often to showcase their recent finds and holidays. Follow them on social media for engaging and eye-candy decor posts. Great find in...