Mercer was the first Northwoods town I was introduced to when I was six years old and my family vacationed there each summer for 10 years, so this could explain why Mercer is and always will be my favorite Northwoods town. That first year my parents took my sister and myself to THE WAMPUM SHOP that opened in 1950 and this store was unlike any other store I had seen. Every year when I was told we were going to Mercer, I envisioned the woods, lakes, seeing wildlife, going to the dump to look for bear, and fishing with my dad, but that quickly faded and the only thing I could think of was going to THE WAMPUM SHOP. A person has to wonder why some memories stand out from their childhood while others don’t, because I couldn’t tell you what I had for dinner last Saturday, but I remember walking into the Wampum Shop for the first time over 58 years ago.

On that day my parents told me to pick out anything I wanted and believe me; one item was impossible. Did I want the rubber tip spear, the tomahawk with the rubber head or the bow with the suction cup arrows that all had bright colored feathers attached or hundreds (AND I MEAN HUNDEREDS) of another cool items? Talk about a kid in a candy store. Then, as the years passed, I took many friends there and if we weren’t staying in the area, I made it a point to drive to Mercer and my first stop. yep, headed straight for The Wampum Shop. Not only because of the great memories this store brings back every time I walk in, but because they are ALWAYS adding new items.

If you like ANYTHING Northwoods like, coffee cups, glasses, salt & pepper shakers, lamps, framed wildlife prints, incense, wind chimes or anything to do with loons and even hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, denim shirts, hats, I’m here to tell you, The Wampum Shop is the place to go. They even have a section of sandals and moccasins for the ladies, and these are just a few things that come to mind. Take my word for it, if you have never been to or are not near Mercer, plan a day trip, because it’s a great little Northwoods town and be sure to stop by The Wampum Shop and I guarantee you WILL NOT walk out empty-handed. I don’t know what item I picked that first day, but before my wife Monica and I moved up north, burning the Balsam Fir and Cedar incense we would buy from The Wampum Shop always made us smile because it kept the Northwoods in our mind. For more information on the WAMPUM SHOP, you can call 715-476-2465 or even better, follow the wampum shop on Facebook OR
* online – www.thewampumshop.com
* email – wampumshop@gmail.com
* second website – www.thesassyside.com