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Knoxville hardware store provides a community hangout

Just south of the Quad Cities, a long time hardware store is celebrating one year back in business. It’s been offering a slew of additions to benefit the ...

Just south of the Quad Cities, a long time hardware store is celebrating one year back in business. It's been offering a slew of additions to benefit the entire community.

Knoxville Mercantile is the new hot spot in the small town of Knoxville, Illinois. Around three o'clock, when school's out the customers start rolling in. It's easy to see why, all the candy you could want, not to mention ice cream.

"I like the ice cream and the candy because it taste fun," said customer Maggie Wilder.

However, jelly beans and chocolate ice cream aren't the only things for sale, the other half of the store you can find hardware supplies.

"It serves lots of different purposes. I mean I think there's fishing bait back there and screws and nails and old-time candy and ice cream," said customer, Michelle Wilder.

The building itself has served as a hardware store for years, but business started to decline.

"The fear was that it was going to close down," said owner Keith Vaughn.

That's when Keith and his wife Erin stepped in and bought the business. They remodeled the store while added something extra.

"I've always wanted a candy and ice cream store. I mean grew up with one as a kid and you know I just wanted that to be part of our kid's lives," said Keith.

Since opening their doors a year ago, business has boomed. The store offers a space for kids to hang out.

"We can meet up with our friends and buy candy or ice cream and we can hang out here too," said Maggie.

To celebrate their one-year anniversary, Knoxville Mercantile is offered one free ice cream scoop.

 

 

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