Mercantile Thrift Stores, Inc. is a Wisconsin corporation founded in 1969. Mercantile Thrift Stores, Inc. purchases merchandise from the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation along with other sources for resale in any of our four stores. We serve as a source of income for the charity, which helps veterans and their families both state and nationwide. The first Value Village store was opened on the corner of Green Bay Avenue and Concordia in Milwaukee in 1969. This store was later closed and relocated to our present address of 324 W. North Avenue. The store was damaged by fire in 1996 and was remodeled to its current appearance and reopened later that year. A second store was opened on 5th St. and National Avenue around 1970. It was later moved to 1828 W. National Avenue and remained there until it closed in 1996. In 1997, it reopened at its present address of 729 S. Layton Boulevard. In 1975 a third store was opened in Racine at 2917 Durand Avenue. In 1995, the store was expanded and remodeled to its current size and appearance. In 1999 a fourth store was opened in St. Francis at 3100 E. Layton Avenue. We have been established in these communities for many years now, and provide clothing and household items at low prices to the public. We also provide jobs in these communities for over 150 people.