Simple times

Donald Mercantile provides a glimpse at the past

DONALD - Just a short jaunt off 1-82 at the Donald exit is Donald Fruit and Mercantile, a step back in time to the simple life of lemonade and peach sundaes.

Behind the large double screen door, visitors find polished hardwood floors that creak with every step as customers look over the selection of wines, gourmet foods and gift items. On the candy counter there is a selection of old-fashioned sweets for youngsters to enjoy.

For the past three years Kristine and Jim Russi and Bryan Eglet have operated the historical store, which was built in 1912. The Russi's and Eglet struggled the first two years, trying to draw customers off the freeway to their piece of nostalgia, but it wasn't until Piety Flats Winery was opened inside the mercantile that business took off.

Piety Flats is a name the Donald area was once known as in the late 1800s, when Rev. and Mrs. Flint led their followers, according to Kristine Russi. David Minick of Prosser is the winemaker for Piety Flats Winery. The large wooden hop kiln across the road from Donald Fruit and Mercantile is featured on the label.

She said that visitors now come from across the state to the tasting room, located in one comer of the store. "It's a great place for parents to come and sip a glass of wine while their children run in the orchard," said Kristine Russi. Decorated for fall festivities, the store has barrels of gourds in a variety of shapes and sizes available, including unique apple-shaped gourds and swan gourds. The store also features fresh produce from the Valley.

The old-fashioned country store will be open through Dec. 31, and Russi said, it will be decorated for the winter holidays. She added the store will be closed from the first of the year until Spring Barrel Tasting weekend in April.

Through the late summer months visitors to the mercantile enjoy the famous peach sundaes that are readily available. "We're known around the state for our fresh peach sundaes," said Russi. "They are still available." Only a short drive from the Sunnyside area, Donald is a great place to spend a fall afternoon. "If people want to go somewhere, but they don't want to travel far, this place is perfect," said Russi.

Story and Photos by Melissa Browning

Source: Daily Sun News, Sunnyside, Washington. Our Valley .. a Look at Our Valley and Far Beyond.