Help The Merc Help its Neighbors

UPDATE: The need is great. ALL proceeds will go to the residents. Merc owners Lindsey and Aaron will pay their staff tips for shifts lost during the cleanup closure.

An electrical fire broke out on August 14th in the historic Iron Front building on the 400 block of Last Chance Gulch — the building in which the General Mercantile has occupied a commercial space for the past 52 years. Ourselves and our neighboring businesses were forced to close and over 30 low-income residential tenants were evacuated. The Merc is in the process of vigorously cleaning to reopen for the community, hopefully within a week. Owners Lindsey and Aaron will be paying their staff wages out-of-pocket in the meantime, but we need YOUR help replacing lost tips for their staff, and you know you all tip big!

The return of the tenants and other businesses is unknown as the building owners begin the long process of remediation and reconstruction. Due to this, the Merc may continue to experience on-and-off closures due to the construction going on around us. Because of this, we are hoping to cover what we assume will be tips equivalent to about 20 days of closure -- $5,000.

Whatever money is collected above $5,000 will be divided between the displaced residential tenants. The goal for this fundraiser will evolve as more information is provided regarding how long the tenants will be displaced. Currently, they are being provided accommodation by the Red Cross, but it's important to note that the Iron Front was one of the only affordable housing options for these folks. Once Red Cross aid runs out it is very likely that they won't be able to find affordable housing as Helena is a community that simply doesn't have enough low income housing available.

Please donate what you can to this cause. Again, to clarify, the first 5k will go to the General Mercantile employees fund and everything above that will go to the tenants. Folks who want to make direct donations in person can do so at Valley Bank of Helena. Please make the check out to Lindsey Barnes but be sure to write Iron Front Relief Fund in the memo line to make sure it makes it into the proper account.

Thank you for your support of both the Merc and these tenants.

Xoxo,

Lindsey and crew