About Us
Why we chose the name.
Mrs. B was the beloved matriarch of the Burch family—a city girl who married, moved to the country, and built a life on a farm in Sheldon, Wisconsin. From 1958 to 2010, she raised her family and worked side by side farming with her husband, Mr. B. She often found herself in one tangle or another—mishaps that somehow turned into stories filled with laughter and love. Her family always said God watched over her through the tangles and kept her safe, because the world needed her goodness as long as possible. The world enjoyed her for 72 years. Today she continues to be celebrated for her warm heart and kindness, possessing a spirit and shine that could never be dimmed. Anyone who crossed paths with her was left better for it. We hope you are too by being part of our endeavor.
The Mercantile is more than just an online boutique; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of Mrs. B. Her legacy extends beyond the tangible goods offered. Near the end of her life, Mrs. B nurtured a cherished dream of sharing her reflections with the community through a weekly column for the Sheldon News, affectionately titled “From Mrs. B’s Corner of the County.” We now bring her spirit and warmth directly to you from her “Corner of the World Wide Web,” keeping the traditions of who she was alive in the digital realm.
Keeping her memory alive.
Following Mrs. B’s passing in 2010, her daughter Mary sought to keep her mother’s memory alive, giving rise to Mrs. B’s Mercantile. This heartfelt endeavor blossomed into a series of meaningful projects. Among these is the book Too Fast for Conditions – A Day in the Life of Mrs. B, a loving collaboration between Mary and her niece Jessie, whose charming illustrations bring the narrative to life. This tribute offers readers an intimate glimpse into Mrs. B’s remarkable heart and spirit, blending humor with gentle reminders not to take life—or ourselves—too seriously, while sharing faith-filled lessons from life’s misadventures. Often likened to Chicken Soup for the Soul, the book inspires connection, reflection, and joy.
Meaningful projects in her memory.
Their shared storytelling was further celebrated when Mary was invited to give the commencement speech at Jessie’s graduation in 2016, held at Mary’s alma mater.
Mary, Kris (Jessie's mother), Koreen (long-time family friend and hospice nurse), and Jessie at Jessie's graduation, May 2016.
Complementing the shared projects, Jessie opened Mama Jones Farm Stand offering delicious farm-to-table goods direct from Mrs. B’s original homestead in Sheldon, WI. Many of these recipes are from Jessie's late mother, Kristine Mikunda-Burch 1969-2019.
New Partnership with Timber to Table Artisan
To add to our curated offerings, we are proud to announce our partnership with Timber to Table, a talented artisan based in Spring Valley, Wisconsin. Timber to Table can bring your vision to life with customization and personalization. Email us with your idea!
Mrs. B's Memoir & Sheldon News Columns
If you’ve enjoyed this glimpse of Mrs. B and want to experience her humorous adventures further, we invite you to come along with us and celebrate her legacy in her memoir book, Too Fast for Conditions – A Day in the Life of Mrs. B available on Amazon. The book features Mrs. B’s Sheldon News columns, capturing her wit, warmth, and one-of-a-kind storytelling that delighted her readers. Through these collected stories and news articles, you can relive the charm and laughter she brought to her community, and anyone who knew her, one chapter at a time.
Leave things better than you found them.
One of Mrs. B’s favorite sayings was, “Leave things better than you found them.” The heart behind our business is to do just that. With every purchase, we hope our customers leave with something better than they started with—and perhaps receive a bit of Mrs. B’s light in the process.
