Golden Gait Mercantile

I go twice a year (Memorial Weekend and Labor Day Weekend) to Fortuna to visit some friends and of course go through Ferndale… We stopped at this store and I was in heaven! LOVED! everything in there… I plan on taking more money with me to buy more stuff! Love it!!!

I’ve been going here since I was a kid. My parents would bring our out-​of-​town guests to Ferndale, which I never understood at the time. To me, it just meant I got to go to the Mercantile to get old-​time candy I couldn’t get anywhere else! As I’ve gotten older I realized just how unique this place was. So many old treasures– you get the feeling of «this is how it was in the old days!»
If you’re from out of town, you gotta go here. You’ll find so many things you never knew you needed as well as tons of gift ideas. If you are travelling with kids and Ferndale is on your «vacation» tour– bring them here first. Get them something fun to play with or nibble on to keep them from ruining the rest of your tour through the city.
To my knowledge, they aren’t open late (nor is most of Ferndale). I’d hit the place by 3 pm in order to be able to take my time before closing.

This is such a gem of a place. It’s like you have warped back in time to the gold rush days. They have all kinds of men’s hats, unusual jams from England (ginger, marmalade, mint, etc) All at very reasonable prices. There is a very unique museum up the stairs with antique furniture. This place is so clean. It’s got cast iron pots and very useful kitchenware. It mixes new and antique together. Very patient cashier. Thank the new owner who purchased this gem and keeping it the way it is. Unique items: Chinese chairs circa 1880, spinning wheel to make your own yarn, your grandma’s great grandmother’s furniture, sassfresas tea leaves, licorice bark, you-​name-​your own special find. This is a MUST stop! Get your pie down the street while you are visiting.

I love the smell of licorice that wafts out the front door. There are so many fun vintage things to look at– I wish I had more time. The selection of items is incredible… I felt like a kid in a candy shop– literally. The owners were super nice and friendly– they even recommended somewhere to stop for lunch. I will definitely come back and shop for longer if I pass through Ferndale in the future!

I love this place! There is something here for everyone. They have so many different products from all over the world. There are antiques and a museum upstairs, but the main floor has all the yummy treats. Many candies, jams, honey, sauces, and cooking supplies. if you need a hat they have them too. Last year after Christmas I got Santa pasta here on sale. This year I bought a pumpkin spice cake mix which was too on sale. They have a good selection of British food staples too. I think anyone coming to Ferndale would enjoy this store. The owner is nice, and he always has an amazing selection of goodies. It is true that when I come in here I feel like I am a Victorian Kid in a candy/​general store. Absolutely, This is a favorite shop of mine.

I stopped in here on a whim. It was an awesome store. I bought a ton of antique mason jars. The prices are fair and the owners are super nice.
The range of products was great as well. When I go back to Ferndale I will definitely visit again.
I suggest anyone in the area check it out.

I love this place. It is impeccably kept and merchandised and the shop owners really care about what they do and who they do it for. There is a treasure here for everyone with lots of goodies and goods from yesteryear. Whether you are steampunk, Victorian, a hipster, a normal jo tourist or even one of us whacky locals you will always find something of interest here. If you have never had one, ask them for a bag of Walnetos…

What a great find! Wonderful selection of jewelry! A very nice man helped us I lucked out on nice selection of copper, pearls and more. Great prices. He was attentive! A definite find!

This was one of my favourite stores as a kid.
It was always filled with fantastic candies, interesting antiques and friendly smiling shop owners.
And in 20 years it hasn’t changed a bit.
During my last trip up to Humboldt, I stopped in to pick up some liquorice and soaps and fell in love with a pee wee herman 3d reel from their upstairs antique section. It’s a ton of fun to browse the windows and the mannequins.
I really love dropping in here as the service is always tops and they always have something to pick up to take home for the family.
Mmm liquorice…

Great little shop. I found the most fantastic little velvet hat. So many unique items to find within this little shop. Like walking back in time with some of the items. Loved this old-​timey Mercantile and wish we had longer to browse. Will be returning for sure.

I walked right by the store, but I’m always listening & when someone came out of the store & said to his wife: «I haven’t seen this anywhere else» I had to go inside!
Lots of cool things to look at & buy. I didn’t have a lot of time because it was almost 5pm and the owner was ready to close so I tried not to take too long. He’s been in business for 40 yrs & lives upstairs.
Things I got in my short time:
Humboldt Honey Star Thistle 14oz for $ 5.25. He also sells Clover & Wildflower. Someone before me got 2 jars of the Star Thistle & said it was the best he’s ever tried. I wanted to buy more, B. wouldn’t let me.
Zimmerman’s Homemade Jam Strawberry Rhubarb 16oz for $ 4.45 — made in Blue Lake, CA
Flaherty Farms Wild Blackberry Bliss Jam 11.5oz for $ 6.75 — made in Ferndale, CA.
B. got Williams Mug Shaving Soap 1.75oz bar for $ 1.85 ea. — he hasn’t tried it yet.
Unilocalers say to check out the upstairs museum — Hope to next time I go.
Don’t miss this store!
Owners: Marlin & Sandra Mesman
Ph: 707−786−4891

This is probably in the top ten of all the cool little shops I have ever been to. First of all, upstairs is a free museum with cool artifacts from the past, displayed very well. There are some things to buy too. (Like new kids shoes from the ‘50s.) Downstairs there are cases of super cool things, really eclectic. The other thing is that the prices are really reasonable. Locally made jam and other yummy foods. I bought original antique veggie /​fruit box labels for $ 1.

This is a great stop if you want to step back in time and see what a general store may have looked like around the turn of the century. Great antique finds and modern day buys as well. They have a second floor which is set up like a mini museum. Fun place to visit.

My Aunt lives nearby in Fortuna and whenever I visit we always make a trip over to Ferndale. Over the years this has become one of my favorite stores.
Located in on Main Street, it is like time has stood still within this old-​timey emporium. It’s like walking into a museum, except almost everything is for sale.
From a wide assortment of hats, to shoes and clothing. The shelf lined walls are full of all sorts of earthenware, coffee grinders, tinware and cast iron. The glass cases are always fun to peer into full of locally crafted jewelry. Throughout the store you can find antiques and quality reproductions. Other glass cases boast all kinds of personal accessories like pomades and shaving accessories many old, rediscovered stocks of original merchandise in new, never opened condition.
Be sure to take a detour upstairs to visit the museum where many of the store items can be viewed in their proper domestic settings life-​size diorama style.
Stop on by to look around and don’t forget to pick up some candy from the barrels.