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- [S186] GEDCOM file imported on 14 Aug 2002., Shane Symes.
- [S673] Hurricane Valley Journal, (Hurricane Valley Journal), Volume 6, No. 10, May 21, 2003. (Reliability: 2), 21 May 2003.
A New Chapter for Graff Mercantile
- For the Journal
Who can recall those memorable days when everyone gathered at the corner of State Street and Main in Hurricane to share a good story with a neighborhood friend or to venture into the Graff Mercantile to see what new “treasure� was in the offering? How many of us have been touched personally by that monument to history in one facet of our lives or another?
Graff Mercantile has a long-standing history in the Hurricane community, not only for the endless variety of goods available in the store, but more for the genuine concern that they had for their patrons. In 1908, Melbourne DeMille, with partners Frank and Charles Petty, purchased and began operation of the Mercantile located at the corner of State and Main. The mercantile immediately became the hub of the community. In 1913, Melbourne DeMille sold his interest in the store to the Pettys, who enjoyed a thriving business until 1928, when the store was purchased by E. J. Graff.
Upon purchasing the store, Mr. Graff renamed it Graff Mercantile, which has remained the store’s name since. The mercantile was known to be a place that was filled with friendly smiles and a high level of personalized service. The personalized service included such amenities as home deliveries for some customers; allowances for some customers to charge their purchases; and several dozen cash register slips (on which patrons’ names were recorded) taped to the wall of the store for those who hadn’t quite enough money at the time of purchase to cover shopping expenses.
As the expression goes, Graff Mercantile carried everything from “soup to nuts.� If Graff’s didn’t have it in their inventory, you probably didn’t need it! Many area residents even brought their own homegrown produce to the Mercantile to consign/trade for groceries at the request of Mr. Graff.
During the Great Depression, many of the women in town sold their surplus eggs and butter to Graff’s. They were paid in script, to be used for future purchases at the store. Children were allowed to bring a single egg to trade for candy and were treated with the same kindness as the adult patrons were.
Mrs. Graff (Jenny), although not an everyday worker at the store, made it a point every year to work with a salesman and purchase a wide selection of toys for the Christmas season. During the month of December, the toys were displayed in a room adjoining the main store area, giving the local children a place to come and, hopefully, see what might wait ahead for them from Santa.
Many of the residents of the area have used Graff’s as a major steppingstone into the world of business. Even to this day, it’s hard to walk the streets of Hurricane without running into someone that wasn’t personally touched by something that involved the historic Graff Mercantile.
It’s been said that almost a third of the population of Hurricane has at one time or another worked at the Mercantile. Mr. Graff had a great love for people and went out of his way to try and help any that were in need and could use a helping hand.
Although the store didn’t follow some of the modern trends of the industry, with the kind and friendly service they continued to provide, they were still able to compete. The store had an atmosphere that people felt right at home with. It was probably that image that brought Hollywood knocking on Graff’s door in 1981. The producer of the movie, The Electric Horseman, starring Robert Redford, wanted a small general store for a pivotal scene in the movie, and Graff’s filled the bill. The store was closed to the public for a day, and the filming took place that afternoon. Much can be said about the charm and the memories that have been etched in the hearts of those touched by the Mercantile over the years, and like anything good and worthwhile, we hope that these memories will last forever.
Although Graff’s, as we know it, has closed its final chapter, there is a new chapter about to be written by a couple that has made it their focus to keep the tradition alive and provide the community a store that will maintain the same values and objectives that Graff’s displayed for so many years.
Debra Michael and Steve Ulrich have taken a portion of the existing Graff Mercantile and have created Mercantile Gifts & Consignment. Their intent is to keep the concept of providing a variety of items for sale at affordable prices while giving personalized service with a smile. Like the mercantile that preceded them, they work with the community, consigning items of all kinds (clothing, home accessories, furniture, glassware, antiques, collectibles, etc.), as well as marketing a wide range of retail gift items.
Mercantile Gifts & Consignment is annexed in the Graff’s Mercantile building along with the Flower Market floral shop, and together they generate an atmosphere that is pleasurable and refreshing.
The owners want community residents to know that this is “their� store, and they solicit the support of local residents. So if you want a fun place to browse, somewhere to rid yourself of unneeded household items without the headaches of a garage or yard sale, an opportunity to revisit the past and capture the nostalgia of years gone by, or just want to come in and share a friendly smile, drop by and see them.
Oh, and by the way, there is candy for the kids, no eggs required!
- [S674] Washington News, (Utah Digital Newspapers) (Reliability: 3), 21 Jan 1909.
Rockville, Jan 14.--- We have no special correspondent from this place but still we desire to have a voice with the rest of our neighboring settlements.
Melbourne DeMill and Frank Petty have bought the old DeMill store out and expect to move it to Hurricane soon.
We are having a great deal of wet weather at the present time which seems to agree with farmers and cattlemen.
A crew of men left here and went to Zion to run a shingle mill, but have returned on account of wet weather.
The limbers played the stiffs a game of base ball for a dance. The score stood 17 to 24 in favor of boys.
Some one said that they believed Rockville was dead. Tell them to ask Sprindale about it.
Some of the boys are preparing to go off to work for some time.
Joseph H. Petty is visiting us from Hurricane.
Barb McGee - Mar 12, 2005
Limbers and Stiffs, what a name for teams. Looks like the loosers paid for the music folks to dance to. This was a common practice for local folks who were musicians to play and get paid a bit for that service by the folks who were dancing. I remember even when I was a kid that practice continued. We'd all pitch in 50 cents and hire the local squeeze box player in the neighborhood to play for us.
- [S632] Business adds to Graff Mercantile building's history , BRAD PLOTHOW , (thespectrum.com; Southern Utah's home page ) (Reliability: 3).
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RNT Family History
1876 - 1950 (73 years)