After more than two years in business, the Mercantile in Doylestown announced Thursday it would be closing its doors next month.

The 25,000-square foot artisan market in the Doylestown Shopping Center originally opened in the fall of 2020, as a way to fill available retail space while supporting local artists and vendors during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a difficult time for many small businesses.

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The announcement, which appeared on the Mercantile’s Facebook and Instagram pages, stated an official closing of Jan. 22, while thanking the community for their continued support.

“After long consideration we have come to the decision that our time of service to this incredible community will soon be coming to an end. When we created this temporary project, it was born out of a need to help artists, makers, crafters, and small businesses most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to give them a safe and unique outlet to continue thriving during those incredibly difficult times. With this wonderful community's continuing patronage, we successfully accomplished and even surpassed our goal!”

The post goes on to say, “Thankfully COVID-19 is now officially no longer a situation that is impacting the globe as it once was. These talented individuals are now able to continue their growth once more at our local shows and other artistic venues as they did prior. We look forward to supporting them on their journeys and hope you will join us in following them as they continue to grow both locally and beyond.”

Brooke Henningsen, founding partner of Arrow Real Estate Services, said the endeavor was a success and helped many through an unprecedented time.

"This was a project that was driven daily by a true love of our community. We all poured our hearts and souls into this to step up in a time when everyone was stepping back," she said in an email. "To hear some of the personal stories of those that were able to survive through the pandemic because of what we all worked so hard to create is something we will all be eternally grateful to have been a part of that. This was our mission and we succeeded because we all worked together."

The Mercantile was home to many local vendors, which included photographers, clothing designers, jewelry makers, painters, bakers, distillers, craftsman, and several other artisans throughout its two years.

Henningsen could not comment of specific details of what the future holds for the large site in the shopping center.

"All I can say with confidence is The Mercantile at Doylestown has completed its mission. Yes it’s sad to see it go, but that’s how you know it was loved. Whatever eventually does come next I’m sure will be another blessing for our community as well," she said.

Henningsen also said a proposal to demolish the southwest end of the property and build a 200-unit luxury residential community — which had been informally discussed at a Doylestown Borough zoning and planning board committee meeting two years ago — was shelved following unfavorable feedback from the borough.

At the time, a few similar projects were already planned within the borough, and committee members expressed concerns that an additional 200 units would exceed demand for this type of housing. They also noted the additional strain it would place on emergency services.

The Mercantile grew and changed as the pandemic eased. It was an idea Henningsen said responded to the needs of the community and with its support.

"I would love to say I had this all planned out as a big grand vision and knew exactly what would happen every step of the way. That’s not life though. It was a learning process for so many since the concept was just an idea," Henningsen said. "It was more about finding solutions to make as much work for as many people as possible. The fact that we will have had over 225 vendors, multiple art shows, inspirational displays that were always a visual delight for everyone, farmers markets in the winter, Santa and Grinch events as well as the Easter Bunny for the delight of children, book signings, live music, artist demonstrations, classes, etc. how could I have ever imagined that this would have expanded to the levels it did?

"This was lightning in a bottle, what a blessing to have been a small part of that."

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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Mercantile in Doylestown set to close its doors next month