Meet the Merc

The Mercantile has existed in Arivaca since the early 1900s, and has only changed owners a handful of times since then! The original building burned down in 1956; it was rebuilt on the same site at the corner of West Arivaca Road and 4th Ave, and one original wall was saved.

Damon & Hannah Goodmanson bought the Arivaca Mercantile in December 2019. They both grew up in rural Minnesota, and they brought their Midwestern work ethic, ambition, and stubborness with them to Southern Arizona! Since taking over, they have added 7 more doors of beer selection, installed a diesel pump, brought in the Arizona Lottery, opened a hardware store across the street, and are always bringing in new products and tweaking things. They love surprising the local residents and visitors with new & exciting changes!

For more fascinating histories on the Arivaca area, check out the VisitArivaca website.

After fire, 1956

Arivaca, looking west, time period unknown

  1. West Arivaca Road, looking west, time period unknown

  2. Arivaca Mercantile

  3. Old Historic Arivaca Hotel (Helping Hearts non-profit)

  4. La Gitana Cantina

  5. Corner of 4th Ave, towards present day Arivaca Sonz Hardware

  6. Present day boutique/Artists’ Co-Op

  7. Present day U.S. Post Office & Arivaca Dance Hall

Arivaca Mercantile, around 1980

Arivaca Mercantile, around 1980

Arivaca Mercantile, around 2020

Damon & Hannah Goodmanson, Nov. 2021

Arivaca Mercantile, July 2023

Owner, Damon Goodmanson standing in front of the Merc, July 2023