 Following relegation in 1994 the club won promotion from the 1996 3. divisjon, but faced straight relegation again in 1997.In 2001 Mercantile was a serious contestant for promotion, but finished behind Grindvoll, only to win its 2002 3. divisjon department and also the playoff against Mjøndalen.The club then had a run in the 2. divisjon from 2003 to 2005.