It all begins here. We have the power to come together and make change. But it has to start small.

Okay, wait, let me restart that…

Hi! I’m so glad you’re here! I’m also really happy to be sharing something that has been a work in progress for quite some time and an interesting culmination of the paths in life thus far.

My name is Alyssa Hogue & this is me trying to break away from the 9-5 and create something incredible for our community. I’ve been a registered nurse for the last 8 years, currently in mental health, but I’ve also dabbled in several types of nursing over the years as I tried to find the right fit. Don’t get me wrong, I love my work as a nurse, but I knew I was meant to do something else with my life. I could never find that feeling in healthcare (& the terribly broken systems don’t help), so I went back to school - again. I got my bachelor’s in environmental geoscience from SRU in 2025. Even before graduation, I was unsatisfied with the job market & had a burning desire to keep making forward progress in my education… so I continued. In August, I graduated from Chatham University with a master's in sustainability, and guess what? The job market for sustainability graduates in Slippery Rock is less than ideal & the postings I do see don’t fill the void in promoting local, quality food and goods access.

So here we are! Following my dreams & pouring my everything into it. Scary! Exciting! The Moraine Mercantile was born from the following idea: you shouldn’t have to spend hours in the store searching labels, googling every ingredient to see if it’s going to increase your risk of cancer, infertility, or endocrine disruption.

My vision is to create a local mercantile where life becomes thoughtful, sustainable, and non-toxic. A place filled with products that are useful, beautiful, chosen with intention, and sourced as locally as feasible.

In the future, I envision The Moraine Mercantile as a storefront, with a full selection of local produce, meat, dairy, and bulk goods. Also with a space for the community. A safe place for everyone with free WiFi for all of your needs - perhaps even educational classes could be hosted here. The opportunities are endless & I am so excited that you’re here with me.

Let’s be honest - the economy and job stability are rough right now. So, full disclosure, I’m starting small to see what’s feasible and determine the best path forward.

Below is what I’m thinking about offering initially (online) - please let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see!

* Beeswax candles made from local beeswax and non-toxic essential oils

* Multipurpose cleaning spray crafted from green everyday ingredients (that you can actually read & comprehend)

* Custom mosaic signs constructed with reclaimed materials

* Homemade sourdough loaves

If you’ve made it this far - thank you! I can’t wait to steward ecological & human health with every single one of you.