08/01/2026
It’s 5:30 AM. For the past 24 years I’d be getting ready to head out the door to open Gold Bar. Just three blocks away, with green lights, I could get there in 90 seconds!
At the right time of year I’d be catching the sunrise.
It used to take 20-30 minutes to get things started. Now I could do it in 10.
I loved opening, greeting the first dozen friends who were getting an early start to their day. I also loved closing, all of us winding down our day with friends. We’ve gotten to know each other over the years, sharing about family, work, trips, school, funny stories, challenges - All the things of life. Gold Bar WAS family and community. We had our artists and our Jazz Alliance, Bible studies, Christmas mornings with blitzkuchen, dogs and cookies and game nights…!
It was always awesome when someone would come for the first time, just discovering Gold Bar. Then they’d come back, and pretty soon they were part of our community! Over the years there were a few changes in the decor, but not in the heart. Gold Bar has always been the place you could come home to…
We’ve had so many amazing baristas (and Lowell!) who kept things running during all the medical challenges both Dennis and I have faced the past few years. I’d name names, but they know who they are. So do you!
We ran the good race, did our best, and wish we could have given it a few more. Wish we could have passed the torch to a new owner who would continue the legacy. Too many details got in the way.
Our prayer has always been, from day one, that God would bless those who came through our doors. So thank you to all our Gold Bar friends and family who have blessed our lives over all these years. You are always in our hearts. I hope our paths will cross in the days ahead.
And if someone should decide to open another coffee shop here, I’ll be first in line and hope to see you there! We love and appreciate you ALL - Onward and upward!
Karen and Dennis