The Truckee Mercantile Company, was established in 1893 by W.F. Wilkie in the high sierra town of Truckee California. Before Wilke opened his business, the present structure was a grocery store and saloon. The saloon was located in the basement & was called "Benny's Gray Mule."  At least one man was killed in this saloon during a gunfight.

Wilkie's business partner was Truckee lawman Tom Dolley. Dolley served as deputy sheriff; constable; chief of the volunteer fire department; state and town Fire Marshall; local Railway Express agent; town undertaker and part owner of Truckee Mercantile. During the 1930's and 1940's, he apprehended and arrested many fugitives who committed crimes in other states and attempted to flee to California through Donner Pass. He served 28 years as constable and saw Truckee change from a rough and ready frontier town to a peaceful village.

Wilkie sold the Company to Tony and Jeanne Pace in 1943 and in 1969 Pace sold the business to Dennis Burrows. Affectionately known to locals as "The Truckee Merc,” Burrows sold the site to Bill and Diana Stephens before it closed in 1984. Over 112 years after Wilkie opened his doors, Michael and Susan Brugh opened Truckee Mercantile as an ebusiness. By doing so, moved this historical enterprise into the 21st century.

  Source: Truckee - Donner Historical Society