Our town
The store Rough and Ready was missing.
A little history, and how the Mercantile gives back to the neighbors who look after us.
A little history
The town that left the Union, briefly.
Rough and Ready was founded in 1849 during the Gold Rush, and for a brief few months in 1850, its residents voted to secede from California and form the Great Republic of Rough and Ready. They rejoined in time for the Fourth of July.
The town has always had a stubborn independent streak, and a tight-knit community to match. It's why a store that belongs to the people who live here makes sense.
Rough and Ready lost its last general store years ago. Since then, the community has made do — driving eight miles to Penn Valley for a gallon of milk, or further to Grass Valley for anything else. David and Chelsea decided it was time to change that. The Mercantile is their way of putting something back: a place where neighbors run into neighbors, local makers get a fair shelf, and the Post Office isn't the only reason to stop.
The family behind the store
David Loesch
David has been part of the Rough and Ready community for years. He handles daily operations, sourcing, and the deli counter — and is the first to admit the sandwich names were not entirely his idea.
Chelsea Loesch
Chelsea manages the store floor and knows half the town by name. She's the reason the shelves stay organized and the first one through the door every morning.