Each Christmas, the owners and employees of C & J Mercantile and associated businesses share their Christmas spirit with the community. Their joy, kindness, generosity, and compassion for others so easily shines like the festive lights they display for any and all to witness.
To find the inspiration behind their generosity and Christmas spirit, one need look no further than owners Carl and Joshua Boyer-Winn and their children. In recent years, Joshua and Carl opted to adopt children in need of a loving home. In adopting their precious children, they gained the joy, love, and shared happy memories that parenting children introduces. However, they also gained the valuable insight that not all children or families possess joyful memories or even the means to create them when they quickly learned that their own children had been deprived of fun holiday experiences previously.
Upon gaining the valuable insight, they not only committed to building fun family holiday memories with their children but decided to create local opportunities for other families to experience fun holiday gatherings and be able to take photos together as well. Joshua said, “We want all and families to experience holiday gatherings that can create joy and build happy memories together. We want them to be able to have some photos of those times, too. That’s why we do it.” For that reason, meeting Santa, taking photos, and viewing the lights and inflatables is free of charge.
For this holiday season, Carl and Joshua began preparing C & J Mercantile’s property for Christmas in early November. After a month of preparation, they opened up festive fun for community families last Saturday. Although they welcome families to see the lights and inflatables and take photos with the pre-set backdrops at any time this holiday season, the Boyer-Winns opened up the little house for kids to meet Santa and for caregivers to take children’s photos with him from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. last Saturday. Furthermore, they announced that Santa enjoyed meeting Bristow’s children so much that he told them he plans to return this Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. as well!
In addition to viewing the lights and inflatables, utilizing photo backdrops and character cutouts, and meeting Santa, fire pits are available as free warming stations and concessions including hot dogs, candies, nachos, hot chocolate, and smores kits are available for purchase. The bar, restaurant, and sweet shoppe will also be open to purchase tasty treats.
Families visiting C & J Mercantile this holiday season may also notice a large skeletal building frame to the south of the main building and dining patio. Joshua noted that the frame is destined to become the new mercantile building. In recent months, patrons may have noticed other changes being made to C & J businesses within the main building. For instance, Carl renovated an eastern portion of the mercantile into a banquet room available for rent as a venue for meetings, parties, dinners, and other events. As the new mercantile building is completed, changes and updates to the existing building will continue to be made. Future renovations will bring new and exciting opportunities for families, individuals, and anyone looking for local fun, quality food, and entertainment options.
To learn more about Christmas, Easter, and other familyfriendly holiday experiences offered by C & J Mercantile or about their businesses, check out each business’ Facebook page or send them an email. C & J Mercantile can be reached candjmercantilellc@ gmail.com and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Granny’s Sweet Shoppe can be reached at grannyssweetshoppe00@ gmail.com and is open for business Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Finally, C & J Kountry Fixin’s and CJ’s Bar can be reached at cjkountryfixins@ gmail.com and are open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Of course, anyone is welcomed to inquire in person at 36921 West Highway 66 or to call (918) 771-3169. Most importantly this Christmas season, they hope you bring out your family and join them in building some holiday memories.