At Mercantile & Bean in the Town of Genesee, it may be the coffee, sandwiches and bakery that first draw customers in, but it’s not only the high quality of these items that keep them coming back, but also the unique selection of items for sale.
Located at the busy intersection of Highway 83 and Highway 59, the shop with a drive-thru attached may seem a little out of place in the fairly rural area, but owners Eric and Maggie Tanis say they get customers from all over Waukesha County, as well as people not only from out of state, but from other countries passing through the area.
In fact, they selected the long vacant building for Mercantile & Bean because they wanted to create a destination for people seeking quality items at a reasonable price without having to drive a long way.
Coolers line one wall and contain meat from pasture-raised, rotationally grazed animals, as well as eggs, baked goods, salsa, Sassy Cow milk products, cheeses and more. Unlike similar shops, the food items at Mercantile & Bean don’t “cost an arm and a leg,” Maggie Tanis said.
Tables inside Mercantile & Bean also display items for sale, such as honey, small cacti in cute planters, mugs, bags, shirts and soaps. The number of items for sale has grown since the business was started in June 2022, and Maggie Tanis hopes to continue to increase the section.
This is a second business for the Tanises, who also own TJs Restoration. Originally, the thought was that the Genesee building also would house an office for the restoration business, but it was deemed unnecessary so they have built out an office for rent and another space that can be used by Mercantile & Bean customers for gatherings. It was also Eric Tanis’ experience in construction that allowed them to gut the building and then construct it to exactly how they wanted it, which is a family- friendly space with tables of differing sizes tables and a fireplace.
The idea to open a coffee shop came about because Eric and Maggie simply love good coffee and were finding it hard to find a wellmade cup. They thought others might be feeling similarly so they opened Mercantile & Bean.
From the start, the Tanises have been intentional about all aspects of the business.
The Sassy Cow products that are in the cooler are also what’s used to make the coffee and espresso-based and other beverages. Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. supplies the beans.
Items on the menu include breakfast sandwiches made with croissants and bagels. Lunch sandwiches include the turkey on ciabatta, chicken salad on a croissant and gourmet grilled cheese on sourdough. There are also salads and a variety of bakery items, such as chai masala coffee cake that are made in-house and you can’t find at other coffee shops.
Maggie Tanis said the menu is kept small for a reason: to ensure consistency and quality. No matter what day and time you step through the doors of Mercantile & Bean, the owners want your coffee to taste the same.
“Things are so good that you don’t feel like we’re lacking options on the menu,” Maggie Tanis said, adding that the menu and the vibe of the shop is more European.
While the menu boasts such items as espresso macchiato, con panna, Americano and cappuccino, there are flavored syrups available, as well as frappes and smoothies.
However, the Tanises want the coffee flavor to be so smooth and delicious that additional flavors aren’t needed. Also, they said there is a way to steam the milk that brings out its natural sweetness.
“We don’t want the flavor to come from sugar,” Maggie Tanis said.
(Have a Waukesha County restaurant news tip? Email Katherine Beck at kbeck@conleynet.com.)