WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch, senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced the selection of Thomas Mercantile in Swan Lake as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for July 2025. Thomas Mercantile will be recognized for its contribution to Idaho in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate.

“The Thomas Mercantile has been a hub for the Swan Lake community since 1909,” said Risch. “A favorite spot for local events and town meetings, Thomas Mercantile has been enjoyed by generations of eastern Idaho farmers, travelers, and residents. After closing in 2017, Kaarin Engelmann brought the Mercantile back to life in 2023, preserving the business’s history, charm, and beloved radiators.”

Idaho is consistently ranked one of the best places in the country to do business. Each month, Senator Risch selects a small business in the Gem State that exemplifies Idaho’s values of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and exceptional commitment to the community.