Holmes's open Wild Horse Merc

Walking into Wild Horse Mercantile and Saloon almost feels like walking into a Norman Rockwell painting. 

Tator, a half red, half Blue Healer greets customers when they walk in the store.

Owning a business in Bonners Ferry is nothing new for the business’s owners, Beth and Ray Holmes. They started Mugsy’s in 1996 and sold it some years later.

They  have taken on this new adventure turning the old Round Praire Mercantile into a homey, rustic, country convenience store and gas station

  The saloon is attached to the store and will have a serpentine bar with tables for dining.

“We hope to have the saloon up and functional by late July or early August,” Ray Holmes said. “We will be serving the hamburgers like what we had when we owned Mugsy’s and enchiladas, burritos, chicken wings, beer and wine and whatever else Beth says.”

Wildhorse Mercantile/Saloon  is located at 529503 Highway 95 N. toward Eastport about 20 miles north of Bonners Ferry.

They bought the gas station which has been sitting vacant for almost 10 years. The Holmes’ have  renovated the building beautifully.

The displays of groceries are  picture perfect. Everything is in its place neat and tidy. It isn’t a place you feel like running in and out of quickly although it is people can if they choose. The Holmes’ have made the store cozy and comfortable so people may find themselves wanting to hang out a while.  The Holmes’ welcome that attitude.

“it has been so great to come to work every morning and we just love it,” Ray Holmes said.

“The wood floor came off of Branson’s shed and has brands and carvings from the kids over the years,” said Beth Holmes. “We like the old fashioned feel and atmosphere we offer here.”

A place to gas up and grab coffee, fishing bait and tackle, camping items, grocery items, ice,  beer and unique gift items. It also has the last ATM machine before the Canadian border.

The couple is also looking into being able to sell fishing licenses at some point.

There is also another side of the building that is waiting for its fate. Beth Homes said that  will evolve into whatever the customers create.

“It could be consignments, more grocery, whatever the customer dictates,” said Beth Holmes.

The main thing they want to offer the community is  friendly customer service and give people a nice place to go to and stay and relax.

“We want people to walk in and feel comfortable, give them a friendly atmosphere and great customer service,” said Beth Holmes.

The store is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

For information, 267-0688.