06/01/2026
Seven years ago, two corporate refugees bought a historic general store. One recovering retailer. One recovering software sales executive.
What could possibly go wrong?
Well... there was Covid. Six weeks of closed doors. Masks. Supply chain headaches. Inflation. Tariffs. Mice. Ants. More clogged toilets than anyone should have to discuss publicly.
And yes, we'd do it all over again.
When we bought Port Gamble General Store in 2019, our goal was simple. We wanted to create the brand and experience this beautiful building, this incredible town, and all of you deserved.
We had a five-year plan. It took seven.
Along the way, we learned that owning a small business isn't really about inventory, spreadsheets, or budgets. It's about people.
It's about hearing someone walk through the front doors, stop in their tracks, and say, "Wow."
It's about helping someone find the perfect gift, celebrating holidays together, watching brides and grooms wander through before their wedding, and turning the store into a winter wonderland every year.
It's about customers becoming dear friends.
It's about building a team that feels more like family.
We will always be grateful for the trust you placed in us. This building has stood for more than a century. We never really thought of ourselves as owners. We were caretakers for a small chapter in its remarkable story.
And what a chapter it has been.
We've loved our daily commute through the woods.
We've loved meeting so many wonderful people.
We've loved being part of this community.
Most of all, we've loved watching Port Gamble General Store become what we always believed it could be.
Today, we're excited to share that the next chapter begins. Port Gamble General Store will now be entrusted to Sean and Sylvia. They share our love for this store, our team, and this community. Our wonderful staff will remain, the treasure hunt will continue, and we are confident the future is bright.
To our team, thank you.
To our customers, thank you.
To our vendors, neighbors, community partners, and friends, thank you.
Thank you for every visit, every conversation, every laugh, every bit of encouragement, and every memory.
You helped make this adventure far more meaningful than we ever imagined.
We'll miss seeing you as often. That part is hard.
But we'll always be cheering from the sidelines for this store, this town, and all of you and with more gratitude than we can possibly put into words.
What an adventure. And wow... that was fun.
With love and gratitude,
Ginny, Juan & Barkley ❤️
