DESCANSO (CBS 8) - Most flatlanders view Descanso as a pit stop on the road to someplace else. But that's not the way William Ryan saw it in 19192, when he built his home there.
"He wanted to make this a kind of a stopping area instead of people going all the way to Julian," Michelle Miller of Descanso Mercantile said.
The remnants of Ryan's dream can be found at Descanso Mercantile, a cozy little cottage that exudes charm.
"I have 25 vendors who find me beautiful things that I can just put out all over the store," Michelle said.
Step inside and you'll be greeted with a Blessing.
"This is the kitty that showed up on my doorstep about three years ago, and he's been a blessing ever since so we named him that," Michelle said.
Blessing is the keeper of these categorically cluttered alcoves of collectables, clothing and gifts.
"I tell people when they come in to look up on the way up and look down on the way down," Michelle said.
All of the vendors and crafters whose works are on display are locals.
"Right around the corner, right by our local library here there's an alpaca farm," Michelle said.
Descanso Mercantile defines organized clutter.
"We try to theme every room, so we've got our kitchen stuff in our kitchen. Upstairs it's kind of tiny, but there's another three rooms up there, just full of stuff," Michelle said.
Descanso Mercantile is packed to the gills with retro thrills. The Descanso Mercantile may be along the road to someplace else, but the charms of this quaint cottage make it worth a stop.
Descanso Mercantile
8306 Highway 79
Descanso, CA 91916
(619) 659-9206
