By Kevin Greer
Lakeside Communications Manager
Ryan and Sarah Hamilton are back in business in Lakeside.
Fifteen years after closing their two stores, the Hamiltons are opening Docky’s Mercantile. The seasonal store will be located in the former Waterfront Information Center, situated under the Pavilion, directly across the sidewalk from The Kite Shop, owned by Sarah’s sister, Kim Honeycutt.
The Greenville, South Carolina, residents believe the timing and location are perfect for starting a new business.
“We always loved retail, and we thought it would be fun to get back into it,” Ryan said. “When we heard there was some space coming available, we started brainstorming about what we could do that would add to the Lakeside experience. I think living so far away in South Carolina, we felt like the Pavilion was a great spot for us because it’s truly a seasonal location.”
Sarah, a fourth-generation Lakesider who teaches English to immigrants and is an artist, is looking forward to owning a business near The Kite Shop. She made it clear that the businesses will not be competing with each other, and Honeycutt has even helped them with ideas.
“One of the fun things is that it’s right across the way from my sister’s store,” Sarah said. “Kim has leaned in and said, ‘These are the things that people ask for when they walk in. This is what we need down here.’ She’s been an excited part of the conversation. It will be good to have sisters across the street from each other. I think she’s excited to have us down there.”
The store is named after Sarah’s great grandfather, Joseph Benson Bucky, who was known to everybody as “Docky.”
“It’s just kind of a nod to our heritage in Lakeside,” Sarah said. “With the store being on the Dock, it sort of matches.”
Docky’s will be nostalgia-inspired with supplies for a fun day at the lake. Lakesiders will find sand, water and outdoor toys, as well as sunscreen, designer sunglasses, hats, beach towels and healthy grab-and-go packaged snacks.
The Hamiltons are experts when it comes to putting toys on the shelves. They used to own a toy store in Lakeside, and Ryan runs a toy company in Greenville, where he designs, imports and distributes them. Ryan said they got many of their ideas during their time teaching English in Slovakia in the early 2000s.
“We saw all these cool toys when we were living in Europe that we didn’t see in the U.S.,” Ryan said. “We thought it would be fun, and Lakeside could use a toy store. Eventually, that led to what I do now.”
The Hamiltons plan to open Docky’s by the start of the Chautauqua season. Sarah and daughters Beatrice and Catherine will be behind the counter. They’re tossing around the idea of closing for a couple hours in the evening, then opening back up when people head down to the Dock to watch the sunset. They may host sunset celebrations to add to the environment along the waterfront, but they’re still working on ideas.
“Everybody comes down there to share that experience,” Ryan said. “Stay tuned for ideas that we’re going to test out over the next couple of months.”
After a 15-year break, the Hamiltons are ready to serve the Lakeside community again and feel their store will be a great addition to the waterfront.
“We’re friends with several of the existing merchants and are excited to be a part of this,” Ryan said. “We’ve gotten a lot of enthusiastic responses from people who used to shop at our stores. I think it’s going to be something new, but also something a little familiar.”
Sarah added, “I think at the end of the day, it’s born out of a love for Lakeside. I think we’re committed to Lakeside more than any place on the planet.”
