No person, corporation, copartnership or association of persons shall deal as a merchant without a license first obtained according to law; and every applicant for a license shall affirmatively state in a written application whether goods, wares and merchandise are to be sold by applicant at wholesale, at retail, or at both wholesale and retail. Every person or corporation so offending shall upon conviction thereof be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
§ 150.100, RSMo