On September 20, 1976 my parents, Ray and Georgia Amick purchased Henderson's Hardware and I, Susan Amick, became manager of a retail store. After our first Christmas it was apparent that toys were in demand in the Grass Valley area, so my Father, a steel fabricator, added to the mezzanine and relocated the stairs to access it. The store operated as Henderson's Hardware for two more years then the name was changed to Foothill Hardware and operated as a full line hardware store including paint, pipe fittings, power tools, hand tools, housewares, gifts, toys and fishing tackle (Mom's department). The merchandise at Foothill Hardware changed little until 1985 when the hardware merchandise was discontinued and Foothill Mercantile was established. In 1988 I bought the store from my parents and have continued to operate it with the help of my sister Dee. Foothill Mercantile now has candy, cards, housewares, gifts, and the toys. We also carry seasonal items for Valentines Day, Easter, Halloween, fall and Christmas. Our annual Toy Sale is always the second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of November. We carry Webkinz, games, dolls, art kits, science kits, Breyer horses, wagons, stuffed toys, puzzles, preschool toys, trucks, Thomas the Tank wooden trains, musical toys, blocks, Erector sets, outdoor toys, magic sets and much more. At Halloween we carry makeup, wigs, beards, noses and costume accessories. We stock chocolates, Jelly Belly jelly beans, truffles and bulk candy of all kinds. We also stock candy for all the holidays. The store is open everyday of the week and is located in Downtown Grass Valley. Come in and check out our store and say Hi!
