Something special is rising on the land where Eagle locals once gathered at the beloved Blue Moose Café — and for many, it feels less like a replacement and more like a continuation of a story.
When Melissa Falco sat down with former Blue Moose owner Marcy Anderson for what turned into a three-hour conversation, it became clear this wasn’t just about opening a bakery. It was about honoring memory, preserving tradition, and building something meaningful for the next generation.
Melissa’s journey to this moment is anything but conventional. With a background in special education and a life shaped by resilience, family, and faith, she never set out to become a baker. Yet the path unfolded in ways she describes simply as providential. After relocating her family and navigating unexpected financial hardship, Melissa turned to what she had — flour, water, and the sourdough skills she had cultivated through years of wellness-focused cooking and teaching.
What began as small sourdough classes in her kitchen exploded into a community phenomenon. Hundreds of people came through her doors, not just to learn baking, but to reconnect with real food and shared experience. Eventually, the demand — and her desire to protect family time — pushed her to imagine a brick-and-mortar space that could serve both purposes: nourishment and connection.
That vision is now becoming Sourdough & Sage — a café rooted in artisan baking, intentional ingredients, and generational wisdom. The name reflects Melissa’s philosophy: food should build you up, not tear you down, and every bite carries meaning.
But perhaps the most touching thread is the homage to Eagle’s past. Blue Moose was more than a café — it was a landmark of community memory. With Marcy’s blessing, Melissa will reintroduce two iconic favorites: the Blue Moose Maytag salad and the famous Moose bars. Plans are already underway for Marcy to make a guest appearance when those classics return, bridging past and present in a way few businesses get to do.
Most people know Melissa for her signature “Basic Loaf”, a long fermented sourdough boule made from a mixture of 4 different kinds of Italian flour. Melissa’s concept blends grab-and-go convenience with handcrafted quality. Hot, hand-crafted artisan breads will be presented throughout the day. Mornings will feature simple coffee drinks, sourdough breakfast sandwiches, bagels, homemade yogurt parfaits, cinnamon rolls, and fresh baked specials. Lunch brings soups, salads, and sandwiches built around local organic sourcing whenever possible. Afternoons shift into snack time — nostalgic treats, cookies, and small bites meant to feel like visiting grandma’s kitchen.
Beyond food, Melissa envisions the café as a hub: chef-table dinners, baking classes, children’s events, pizza nights, and seasonal traditions designed to give families shared experiences. Her daughters will grow alongside the business, learning firsthand what it means to build something with heart.
For Melissa, this isn’t just entrepreneurship — it’s legacy. She speaks openly about honoring the culinary traditions passed down from her Italian and German grandmothers, keeping her mother’s memory alive, and creating a space where families can gather, slow down, and feel at home.
As Eagle continues to evolve, Sourdough & Sage promises to be a place where nostalgia meets intention — a café built not only on flour and fermentation, but on stories, community, and the timeless comfort of food made with care.
And in a town that treasures its roots, that might be the most fitting tribute of all. Visit Sourdough & Sage at 79 E Aiken, Suite 110 and be sure to follow their Facebook page Sourdough & Sage.
