Polson Bay Mercantile launches downtown
Jodi Lee opened Polson Bay Mercantile on Dec. 1 in downtown Polson, offering CBD products as well as a tasteful assortment of clothing and kitchen and home decor. (Carolyn Hidy/Lake County Leader)
Decorative candles and handmade charcuterie boards are among the eclectic kitchen and home items featured at Polson Bay Mercantile. (Carolyn Hidy/Lake County Leader)
Jodi Lee wondered if it might be crazy to open a new boutique during a pandemic. But open she did, on Dec. 1, and Polson Bay Mercantile quickly became a popular place to shop for Christmas.
The idea for Polson Bay Mercantile began with Lee’s desire to offer high-quality cannabidiol (CBD) products. CBD has helped her arthritis pain, so she wanted to make it available to others. She investigated opening a franchise but found that would limit what other items she could sell. One thing about Polson Bay Mercantile — the word “limits” does not apply.
Lee does sell a broad range of CBD products, with options for humans and for pets, all with untraceable levels of THC, she said. But she also offers clothing, from casual to chic, jewelry, kitchen accessories and decor, with several items from local artisans.
Among the unique items that immediately draw attention are handmade charcuterie and cutting boards, crafted in Montana by Lee’s boyfriend, Robert Rutherford. Some are made from native woods; others are from imported specialty woods.
Polson’s Amara Johnsen offers locally made jewelry, and soon the Mercantile will offer Montana-made infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Huckleberry products will be added for the summer crowd, along with an expanded selection of kitchen accoutrements.
Lee has a friend helping design unique Montana-themed T-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs for the coming tourist season. If one wants to go a little fancier, the Mercantile offers a tasteful but affordable selection of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. An added bonus — watch for a clothing sale the first week of January.
Lee has lived in Montana all her life, but always wanted to live in Polson. She finally got the chance this past August, when her home in Great Falls sold. For several years she has owned a food truck business, but the relaxed, congenial atmosphere of her new store is a lot less stressful, she said.
“This is where we want to be. We feel like we’re on vacation every day now.”
Visit Polson Bay Mercantile at 49487 U.S. Highway 93 (along Second Avenue, next to Lake City Bakery).
