New retailer Y&H Mercantile opens Saturday

Yaa Taah and Hansi Armentrout’s Y&H Mercantile soft-opens Saturday, June 1, at 11:00 AM. The new retail store will bring women’s and men’s clothes and accessories to Robinson Street.

May 31, 2013; 6:15 AM • by Fan of the Fan

Yaa Taah and Hansi Armentrout’s Y&Y Mercantile soft-opens Saturday, June 1, at 11AM. The new retail store will sell women’s and men’s clothes and accessories.

Married 9 years, the couple moved here from Oakland, California in December to live the dream. Both Yaa Taah and Hansi are stepping out of the corporate world to open and run their own business. A former merch buyer for Gap, Yaa Taah says she’s “always wanted to have my own store”.

The merchandise will reflect both of their interests. Yaa Taah describes her taste as global bohemian, drawn to prints, color, and texture. Hansi brings an interest in vintage Americana, and the two blend into something that feels very right now. They will be selling Unbranded Brand selvedge denim, Bark brand tees, New York Hat Co., Warhorse Workshop leather accessories, Couch straps belts and guitar straps, Kill City, Richmond’s Square Trade Goods candles, and plenty more.

The couple describe how the sources of their merchandise in important. They set out initially aiming to sell only goods made in America, though they have found that to be a challenge and meet their price points.

Wanting to be closer to East Coast family, Yaa Taah and Hansi thought about the relocating to Philly or New York, but were drawn to the livability of Richmond. A Richmond-native friend in Oakland sold them on the city, saying that that RVA had everything that they liked about living in the Bay Area. Hansi came out and Yaa Taah followed him to Richmond without even having visited. “I was ready for an adventure”, she says with a smile. The couple says that they really appreciate the quality of life that they’ve found, saying “you don’t have to compromise as much to live well”.

The throwback signage out front was crafted by Ross Trimmer of Sure Hand Signs [INSTAGRAM]. There’s also a neat set of pipe shelves right inside the door manufactured by Andrew Venable of Venable Plumbing and Heating.