Local Business insights from Black Metal Mercantile / Dragonized Records (and also the fella behind Manassas NOW) 🖤
Ever wonder why some shops in Historic Downtown Manassas are open on Mondays? Deron Blevins – owner of Black Metal Mercantile (9086 Center St) and Dragonized Records (9084 Center St), and also the person behind Manassas NOW – shared the real numbers behind keeping his doors open on Mondays in a recent LinkedIn post. Here it is in his own words:
Want to know what I earned on Mondays with my retail shop vs. being closed on Mondays? I’m going to share my Monday Black Metal Mercantile and Dragonized Records Monday revenue from January-October 2026 with you below.
When I started my first retail shop back in 2016 (Shining Sol Candle Company, alongside buddy Pete) – and continuing with Black Metal and Dragonized – I decided from the get-go that I would be open on Mondays. A lot of mom & pop shops close on Mondays in “old town” areas, it’s one of those old school “rest days” dating back to owner-operators (it’s their weekend day off), and the reality is, it can typically be the lowest earning day of the week.
I, of course, respect other shop’s decisions on how they treat Mondays in retail – but I also try to share my info to show what’s possible (and I’m not bragging, I’m an average small fish). I also offer real feedback I hear from visitors to “old town” areas when they choose to come here on a Monday. The #1 comment I hear, “Why is everything closed? We came down to spend the afternoon…” I answer them honestly by telling them, “I love and care about you more then the other shops that’s why I opened!” OK, Okkkk, I kid… I explain the reason to them, but also explain why I choose to be open.
That said, let’s get to what you’ve been waiting for, the numbers. I am also going to share the just-as-important secondary reason I choose to be open on Mondays. My total Monday net-revenue for January-October 2026 is $16,817.37. Not too bad for Mondays from this average small fish! Now, personally, I opt to work Mondays myself so there’s no employee wages going out the biz door, and I also get work done while keeping the doors open. But…
My secondary reason I open the doors is below, but… let’s say I decided to have employees work on Mondays for me, and let’s assume a 50% margin on products for sake of example.
Jan-Oct 2026 scenario:
Monday net revenue minus margin product cost: $16,817.37 ÷ 50% = $8,408.50.
Monday hours/minimum wage: 387 hours x $13/hr = $5,031 wages.
Product profit $8,408.50 – wage cost $5,031 = $3,377.50 gained.
Mind you these are basic examples. I have some products with 25-30% margins, some I have 150%. With the nature of my business I stock a wide array of products at a wide array of product costs – but I wanted to keep the example simple.
All in all, numbers aside, there’s another big reason I open on Mondays – customers. Building relationships and connections with customers is priceless, essential, and free. I have earned a lot of positive encouragement by being open on Mondays, and that has translated into positive relationships and repeat customers. I have also set the expectation of being open on Mondays so lots of existing customers will pop in and visit on those days if their week is jammed. It’s a win/win/win scenario.
I am sure there would be a lot of Monday shop stories out there to counter my experience/numbers. All I can say is, at least give it a try.
Originally shared by Deron Blevins on LinkedIn