Union Mercantile Company - 105 K Street

Cross Fifth Street. In 1893 with the memory of the Chinese riot and union activity fresh in his mind, Henry Bertagnolli named his new store the Union Mercantile and Supply Company. The founders hoped to draw working class customers away from the Union Pacific Coal Company Store. The Union Merc operated in this building from the 1920’s until it closed in 1978. An interesting charge plan called the “McKaskey System” was used until 1938. Mouse traps for each account were hung on a large board in the office. When items were purchased, the amount to be charged plus the balance due were clipped onto the mouse trap.