When my mom was pregnant with me, she attended a parent social at my sister's preschool. The ice breaker involved taking a minute to learn something about the person next to them. The person next to my mother was a warm but somewhat shy woman named Gabby. My name is not indicative of my personality, she offered modestly, not quite filling up her minute. My mother had no problem filling hers. They remain best friends 40 years later.

Our bookkeeper, Penny, and her partner, Stefan, met many years ago when he traveled to attend a wedding here, far from his German homeland. She put this kind visitor up for the night and offered him refreshments when he first arrived: Coffee,Tea? Bourbon? .. Chocolate chip cookies??. He decided quickly that the last two options sounded rather delightful. Less than two years later they were married, in an intimate ceremony in a rose garden. And in lieu of pomp and pageantry, they quietly communed and committed to each other... sipping bourbon and sharing chocolate chip cookies. They celebrated their 20 year wedding anniversary yesterday. With bourbon and cookies.

Four years ago on a sunny spring day like today, a shop regular walked into the bar with five tiny foster pups. One was an animated Chihuahua named Arlo who wore a scarf around his neck that said: ‘Adopt me’. He ran straight to Julia's arms and she looked at her husband, Max, with wide pleading eyes. As it turned out, the second he walked through the front door, Arlot was home.

I know so many stories like this. You do too. Lovers who met on an airplane. Strangers colliding in a mosh pit becoming drinking buddies for decades. I know a Canadian named Dan who was in need of a hat one afternoon and found one nearby, randomly discarded. It was a Chicago Bulls hat. And so he became a Bulls fan at that exact moment. For life.

Sometimes we choose things. Sometimes they choose us. Maybe you found our shop walking past one day. Maybe you needed a bathroom and stayed for a glass and some A/C. Maybe someone amazing told you about us or forwarded you a newsletter back when you were living in Arizona. However it happened, we're thrilled to have collided. We're grateful to have found you. We honored that you've chosen us and still choose us, after all this time. Know that we're still committed to you. Don't be shy to let us know how to better be there for you, and what offerings you'd most like. Sadly, the ABC won’t allow us to offer you bourbon, but cookies are not out of the question. This last year kept us distant at times, we know - but nearly on the other side of it all, we can hold on to the hope that in years or decades, we'll stay connected. That you'll still choose us. Still want to be best friends.

Yours,

Daniel