Go Back in Time at Pickwick's Mercantile

When Rita Fabbricatore decided she wanted to open a boutique store, she knew two things: the new store would be in Portsmouth and it would allow customers to enjoy a Victorian-era atmosphere.

"I realized this would be a very fun place to do a classic Victorian mercantile," Fabbricatore said Friday afternoon.

Six months after she first purchased the retail space on State Street, Fabbricatore opened Pickwick's Mercantile just in time for the holiday season in early December. More than a month later, she is more sure than ever that her modern Victorian boutique will enjoy great success because of the unique wares she sells inside the store and because of its location.

The store is located at 64 State St., which is right across the street from two other large-scale retail and residential development projects inside the former Connie Bean Center and on Wright Avenue in the parking lot once owned by The Rosa restaurant, which will also reopen soon under new ownership. And just a short walk away is Prescott Park and the Portsmouth waterfront.

"With the (Memorial) bridge coming back, this is going to be a great place for shopping," she said.

When customers walk into Pickwick's Mercantile, they are immediately transported to a different place and time. The store sells everything from inexpensive, old-fashioned candy, imported perfumes from France and Italy, books, candles and other products from overseas such as a line of Santa Maria Novella soaps. Fabbricatore said the cedar wood shelving, tables and ceiling work were created by local woodworkers at Portsmouth's Button Factory on Islington Street.

"It took us about six months" to renovate the 900 square foot space, she said.

One of Fabbricatore's goals was to make Pickwick's Mercantile a store that sells something for everyone's budget. Her staff of five full-time employees also pride themselves on providing good customer service. By selling items such as custom made ladies hats from Europe that are fun and old fashioned, she said Pickwick's Mercantile offers customers a chance to drift back in time without ever leaving the present.

"We're sort of bringing nostalgia back," she said.

Pickwick's Mercantile is open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is closed on Monday.