Round Top, Texas, is a small town full of small businesses. The community relies on these businesses not just for groceries and car repairs, but also for food shelter donations, little league sponsors and volunteer firefighters. Among these shops is the Round Top Mercantile Company, where supporting local schools is business as usual.
The Round Top Mercantile Company was established in 1984 by local husband-and-wife team, Ronny and Betty Sacks. Now, 30 years later, a second husband-and-wife team has taken over, Michael and Jackie Sacks. Michael, the original owners’ son, grew up working in the store, watching its inventory and services expand over time. Jackie joined the business about 15 years ago, and the couple has been personally involved in day-to-day operations ever since. The Mercantile is a one-stop shop that carries everything from groceries and animal feed to specialty gift items and outdoor power equipment. Not to mention, it’s also a gas station and a small engine repair shop.
With its wide array of products and services, The Mercantile has a tradition of satisfying the community’s needs – a tradition that extends beyond the frontier-style storefront. As business owners and citizens, Jackie and Michael do whatever they can to support local schools. “We get involved with any and all fundraisers we can that benefit the local schools,” Jackie says. Among their other responsibilities, Michael is vice president of the local school board; while Jackie, is the president of the local parents’ club. The couple is also involved in the Round Top-Carmine Education Foundation, which raises money for textbooks and computers.
Jackie sees this work as her family’s duty to the community. “I don’t feel we do anything extraordinary but serve our community when needed,” she says. It’s a commitment that’s characteristic of the small town. “Round Top is the smallest incorporated town in Texas, meaning small businesses surround the area,” she explains. “We are proud to live in a community that is so small but boasts such great pride in all that it is.”
For more information about the Round Top Mercantile Company, visit http://roundtopmercantile.com.
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