Sip & Shop: Exploring Lewis Community Mercantile in Downtown Waynesville

Blog by Payton Holp

The People Behind the Counter
At the heart of Lewis Community Mercantile is a mother-daughter team: Angie Lewis Wagner and Taylor Ritter. Together, they aim to create a welcoming place where visitors of all ages can reconnect with nostalgic memories.

For Angie, a Dayton native, the store’s inspiration is deeply personal. Some of her favorite childhood memories were made at local classics like Donges Drug Store in Xenia and Bellfair Country Store in Beavercreek, where she remembers waiting at the counter for a crisp, hand-crafted nectar soda. She wanted the new generations to enjoy that same experience, and with Taylor, they brought that vision to life.

Old-Time Soda Shop with a Modern Twist
If you’ve never visited a vintage soda shop, Lewis Community Mercantile is a treat. The shop honors the past while adding a modern twist to the soda fountain. They offer over 14 main drink flavors and a rotating seasonal menu, so there's always something new to try! Feeling creative? Well, at the soda shop, you can create your own dirty soda from scratch, where you can choose your soda and add-ins that are completely up to you. While you’re there, be sure to try the legendary Nectar Soda, a smooth, sweet blend of almond and vanilla that delivers a vintage flavor like liquid nostalgia.

Inside the Shop
As you sip your soda, you’ll want to wander through the mercantile side of the shop full of toys, baked goods and so much more! Angie and Taylor are deeply committed to supporting the local community, which means the shelves are packed with a wide variety of locally made goods. Some of these include freshly made sourdough bread, flower arrangements and delicious sweets. While the shelves are stocked with goods from local vendors, there is also classic candy, trendy apparel, books, toys and so much more to choose from.Sit at the bar and watch your drinks come together! In the corner of the store, there is a cozy book nook where you can purchase a book at the counter, grab your hand-crafted soda, and sit back and relax. When the weather is nice, you can also make your way out to the patio, where there are shaded picnic tables to sit at.

Charm Bar and Permanent Jewelry
The Mercantile isn’t just soda, treats, and apparel – they also have an entire interactive Charm Bar and a Permanent Jewelry section. At the Charm Bar, there are tons of beautiful charms to choose from, and you can customize your own charm bracelet or necklace, picking out pieces that tell your own unique story. You can fully customize your own charm bracelet or necklace, choosing pieces that tell your unique story. No need to worry about your jewelry tarnishing, because they provide waterproof, tarnish-free jewelry to ensure everyday wear. If you are tired of fumbling with clasps or losing your jewelry when you set it down, make sure to check out their Permanent Jewelry.

A Fanta-sizing Experience
The Lewis Community Mercantile is more than just a soda shop and retail store. It’s a place to leave your worries and stress at the door and focus on good things, surrounded by nostalgic goods. Next time you are taking a stroll through Waynesville, make sure to stop at Lewis Community Mercantile and grab a delicious drink, create your own jewelry story and take home some classic knick-knacks.