Ace General Store

Hi! These updates start to feel like love letters. Writing to you, knowing you won’t write back, but wanting you to know that I’m thinking of you. Today there is a snowstorm in Minnesota and I imagine all of us are hunkered down, watching the snow.

How was your holiday? Ours was lovely. The first time in eight years we were truly able to rest — what a gift!

I also ached for the shop, for all of you. Not always, but enough times to notice. My muscle memory kicked in and I had the urge to step in and help out. There is nothing like the work of brick-and-mortar retailers during the month of December.

I miss our long talks and stoking the fire. I miss being together. I laugh when I think about all the times we would run out of bags or large tee shirts. I miss our neighbors. Our Excelsior family. Our ACE family.

I pray for you in the mundane ways I know how.

Small businesses are at the root of our communities — may they thrive.

Our neighbors are worthy of belonging — may they be loved and valued.

My wish for all of us in 2026 will always be longer tables, listening ears, and endless grace.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. We love you!

Hi! A quick mic check and some thoughts that have been on my heart. The world is unsteady. It feels about ready to tip over and I feel like I’m up about 30,000 feet watching, just out of reach. One thing I know about people is when we aren’t busy being the worst, we can be the absolute best. So this week I hope you feel brave enough to begin, maybe again (I’m learning this in real time). To do the kind, right thing. To be uninhibited by fear. To continue being gentle and loving, even when it’s hard. Sending love from here. I truly and honestly hope you are well. I’ll keep missing you!

If you’ve been curious about how we’re doing over here — it’s been a rollercoaster. We are impossibly grateful for your support this last week. You all continue to show up! We’re heartbroken, mostly for our kids. Our oldest daughter, Elliott, feeling so connected to this space. She was quite literally raised here. We’re also blown away by how many of you are coming to Gathering of Friends 💔

It’s all encompassing, very much like life. Feeling ready to let go, but not wanting to. Even sharing less on here feels strange. This shop feels like breath to me. So, we’ll keep looking through old memories and sharing them here. Grainy videos and heartbreaking text messages. All the joy and heartache rolled into one.

We love you! Come see us in the shop until June 1st. Please come to our last community dinner on the 31st! Link to free tickets is on our website.

Remember when you were a kid and driving with your parents — They would point out a building or business and tell you a story fueled by a memory of that place. You’d likely roll your eyes, half-listening, not able to understand the depth. They’d talk about what it used to be. There was no way of understanding it as a child, but what they were doing was trying to impress on you the value of memories. Reminding you that spaces, places, and experiences hold meaning that is lasting and permanent, even when the landscape changes.

I’ve written this a thousand times in my head, spoken it out loud in my car, and written it in my notes when I can’t sleep at night. It feels like both heartbreak and the most hopeful decision, but after eight unbelievable years, we have made the decision to close the shop.

It’s strange how what we do becomes part of our identity. This shop has held my heart from the moment I stepped foot inside. We brought three babies here. We’ve spent almost a decade of our lives here. Eight years! It’s all so significant and precious. It’s time I know I’ll hold onto forever. While we’re looking forward to our next chapter, so much of who we are lives in this community and with you.

If you know us in real life or virtually, you know we won’t go quietly. There will be no sunsetting for Ace General Store. If you’ve ever attended or wanted to join a community dinner or summer concert — you are officially invited to our final Gathering of Friends. Please stay tuned for details. I believe we’re made to be together and we would love to celebrate with you.

Our greatest hope is that one day, maybe not too far from now, you’ll be in Excelsior. You’ll walk down Water Street. You’ll see the little carriage house up on the hill. You’ll think of us and the shop and all the memories that not only hold meaning but so much love. Ace has seen a lifetime’s worth of joy and pride doesn’t come close. Owning this shop has been one of the greatest honors of my life. We love you so much.