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Small Business Spotlight: Central Mercantile ft. Ktown Cakery
2206 Central Avenue, Kearney, NE
If you're looking for a place that combines the warmth of a bakery with the sophistication of a high-end kitchenware store, Central Mercantile ft. Ktown Cakery is where you’ll find both—right in the heart of downtown Kearney. This one-of-a-kind destination blends the comforts of a cozy café and bakery with a stunning collection of top-tier kitchen products.
Kari Printz, the passionate owner behind this beloved business, first took ownership of Ktown Cakery in 2018 and relocated to its current spot in the summer of 2021. With a vision to offer more than just baked goods, Kari expanded the concept by adding Central Mercantile, where locals can shop for quality kitchenware while enjoying a sweet treat. This unique blend of bakery and retail creates a space that encourages connection—over food, cooking, and community.
A Sweet Start & Quality Creations
Central Mercantile is known for carrying premium kitchenware brands like Hestan cookware, Jura coffee machines, and SMEG appliances—products that are not only useful but make the art of cooking and baking feel even more special. Whether you're looking for utensils, gadgets, dinnerware, or small gourmet food items, this store has it all.
Meanwhile, in the bakery, Ktown Cakery serves up delightful treats such as breakfast Danishes, cheesecakes, cakes, and cookies. The café-style lunch offerings, paired with rich, hard-scoop ice cream served in homemade waffle cones or as decadent brownie sundaes, create a perfect spot for a mid-day pick-me-up or a relaxing meal with friends.
What Sets Them Apart
Not everyone knows that the name “Mercantile” is a personal homage for Kari—it’s inspired by the Cedaredge Mercantile, the local grocery store in her hometown. Kari dreams of the day when locals casually refer to her store as “The Merc,” just as naturally as they did back home.
But it's more than just nostalgia that makes this space special. Kari's commitment to her community is deeply felt. After leaving the corporate world for a more meaningful connection with people, Kari now thrives in a space where customers, employees, and fellow business owners all support each other. It’s the spirit of local business at its best—building relationships that last.
The Heart of the Community
For Kari, owning Central Mercantile ft. Ktown Cakery is about more than just selling products or baking delicious treats. It’s about playing a role in people’s lives. Whether she’s providing tools to make a family meal extra special or creating a show-stopping cake for a celebration, Kari is honored to be part of her customers' lives in such a meaningful way.
“Small businesses excel where people connect over common values,” Kari explains. And it’s those connections that keep customers coming back—not just for what they buy, but for the sense of community they find when they step through the doors.
Why Supporting Local Matters
When you shop at Central Mercantile ft. Ktown Cakery, you're doing more than supporting a local business—you’re investing in the future of Kearney. Every dollar spent stays in the community, helping local families, funding public services, and strengthening the town’s economy. As Kari says, “Supporting small takes it one step further…supporting local families who are the foundation of our communities.”
Find Out More
For updates on what’s fresh at Central Mercantile ft. Ktown Cakery, visit their Facebook or Instagram pages, and keep an eye out for their upcoming website. In the meantime, stop by at 2206 Central Avenue to see the magic of The Merc for yourself! Whether you're in need of the perfect kitchen gadget or craving something sweet, Kari and her team are ready to welcome
-Kelsey Anderson, Downtown Coordinator.
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