Walking into The General Mercantile feels like stepping back into Helena’s history. The interior of this tea and coffee house resembles a general store from the Old West, and the western storefront wouldn’t have looked out of place on the Gulch over a hundred years ago. The hissing of the vintage espresso machines and aroma of freshly ground espresso, however, would have been a little out of place back in Helena’s pioneer days. But with the newest gourmet coffees and Old West charm, you get the best of both eras at The General Mercantile. It is filled with cozy niches that are perfect places to sip a warm latte, hot cocoa, or an old-fashioned soda while playing scrabble or other board games. The Merc also sells unique cards, local crafts, novelties, candies, and gadgets.