CURATOR OF
APPALACHIA’S
FINEST GOODS
APPALACHIA’S
FINEST GOODS
Inspired by family roots, the love of food, salt, and farming as well as the magnificent landscape of the Appalachian region, J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile is the only refined curator of fine Appalachian artisanal goods in West Virginia. A subsidiary of J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works (purveyor of fine Appalachian salt) our family’s “salt saga” began over 200 years ago in Malden, West Virginia with the founding of a salt production business.
The Dickinson Family was one of the largest producers in the area and made salt for more than 120 years. The region was the leading producer of salt in the country, with more than 50 businesses founded, and over 100 wells drilled. Siblings, Nancy Bruns and Lewis Payne, revived the family business in 2013.
As we built the J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works brand, we discovered incredible artisans throughout central Appalachia who create beautiful masterpieces. J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile’s exquisitely made bespoke collection of authentic Appalachian goods is a wonderful homage to the beautifully created commodities of by-gone centuries. The highly skilled master artisans in Appalachia uses the finest ingredients and materials – undoubtedly, there is bountiful creativity and talent in the awe-inspiring Appalachian Mountains.
ABOUT OUR SALT
Mineral Content
94% Sodium Chloride
3% Calcium
1% Magnesium
1% Trace Minerals
Free of microplastics.
How It's Made
Our process starts with brine sourced 350 feet below our feet in Malden, West Virginia. We evaporate the brine in sun houses on our property using the power of the sun and the crisp mountain air. We then hand harvest and hand process without the use of heavy machinery or harsh chemicals. Each jar of salt is hand packaged, labeled, and shipped right from our farm.
Our salt is 100% West Virginia-made. We do not import.
Our Commitment
We believe in pure, sustainable food and living. In caring for the earth, we believe our family and yours can live sustainably for generations to come
When you shop with us, you’re supporting not only our small business, but many others across the region. We believe in making it easy to shop small, so your dollars stay close to home and help strengthen your community.
Come See Us!
Interested in seeing how we do things first hand? You can visit our farm Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm for tours! Tours start every half hour and dive into the industry's and our present-day process. Tours are seasonal, starting mid-April and ending mid-November, weather permitting.
Animals are not allowed in the salt-making areas.
The tour is partially outdoors. Wheelchairs and strollers are not recommended due to narrow walkways through our sun houses and uneven gravel paths.