A mother-daughter team realized their life-long dream when they opened "Cochran Mills Mercantile". The women are life-long residents of Cochran Mills (Burrell Township), Dorothy (Riggle) Stivenson and Beverly (Stivenson) Woodside have grown-up, gone to school, married and continue to live in this small village of Cochran Mills.

Always dreaming and talking about opening up a small country store near their homes, the dream never seemed like it would become a reality until 2009 when the families started working on "Cochran Mills Mercantile," just across from the Burrell fire hall.

The residents of Cochran Mills and Burrell Township had relied on Herman King's General Store for many years to obtain staple items such as milk, bread, snacks, pop and just a gathering place to visit. King closed his store in 1979 which left a void in the community with people having to drive 8-10 miles in any direction to get basic items they happen to run out of, according to the duo. Cochran Mills Mercantile can fills that void.

In addition to staple items and some convenience products, the Mercantile  features "Green Mountain Coffee" of Vermont, Schaller Bakery of Greensburg supplies pastries, fresh Italian bread and buns, and we even  take orders for birthday cakes and pies.

The Mercantile features specialty soup mixes, jellies and preserves, mustards, dip mixes, along with many local artisan crafts and buttermilk and chocolate milk from Marburger Dairy.

Guests and customers of the Mercantile take a step back in time to an old-fashioned country store, relax as they take in the scenery, and see the events that the Mercantile is planning to host in upcoming months. Guests may also relax and reminisce of days gone by in the "Gathering Room," which will feature many historical pictures of Cochran Mills, rocking chairs to relax, or have a game of checkers or cards.

The little village is the birthplace of Nellie (Cochran) Bly, journalist and the first woman to travel around the world in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes. There is a memorial within walking distance from the Mercantile dedicated to Nellie Bly. A picture of her birth home is featured in the Mercantile Gathering Room.