Capitola Mercantile

This place is right across from the main Capitola beach. I can’t the number of businesses that have come and gone over the years but thee! s always a new one willing to open up.
I think the coffee shops the end has been there longer than anyone else.
If you’re into browsing or shopping it does have some interesting shops.
Hint for the on shoppers, while your gf, bf or spouse is shopping on the main drag, there’s a bunch of great bars right on the beach.
I call that a Win-​Win

I love Capitola Mercantile aka Mercantile Dwares Landing — Boutique, Wines and Dining! But unfortunately, it is not what it used to be :(However, it is still an absolutely quaint shopping warehouse strip. They have a variety of shops but recently many shops closed. I visited with my mother and family today and we were fairly surprised.
Up-​to-​date shops still in business (in the warehouse) as of 5÷11÷2014:
1) Seaside Coffee
2) She Sells Seashells & More
3) Cava Wine Bar
4) Om Rhythms/​In the Raw
5) Carousel Taffy
6) WFO Apparel
7) Caruso’s Tuscan Cuisine and Pizzeria (maybe?)
Every summer, I visited Capitola multiple times and always shopped at Mercantile. I feel like a giddy tourist but I follow the beats of my drum! Om Rhythms/​In the Raw is an ethnic, cultural shop selling belly dancer outfits, scarves, jewelry (cheap $ 5 and under), and other knick knacks. Carousel Taffy is the BEST sweets store, and their service is spectacular. However, the female employee informed me that recently they changed their policy on sampling taffy and allow one free taffy per customer from their mystery box (aka you pick the taffy you want). Mercantile used to have shops like the Tie Dye, Flip Flop Hut, Vanity by the Sea, Baby Shoppe, and Nazar Turkish Imports :(The Nazar was one of my favorite stores since I adore their evil eye products!
Parking is always insanely difficult in Capitola. Mercantile has a parking lot but it’s like winning the lottery to grab a spot there. You’re better off parking 5 — 10 minutes away and it might even be free!
It was so empty and sad inside the mercantile warehouse this time around. I visited last summer 2013 and the vibe was much livelier and happier. Not sure what happened perhaps an overhaul of old management or lease contracts? Please bring the old shops back or at least place new attractions!