Stitches Mankato Grand Opening 🧶
Advertisement
This isn't any old monthly pop-in. This one is BIG, and we are so excited to share it with you!
Before the big news, a little recap for those who are new here.
My mom, Sonja, opened our Mankato store in 2003 as an antique and bead store — hence the name Sticks & Stones. She was an incredibly talented jewelry maker, designer, and teacher, remembered for her brilliant eye for color and merchandising, and her unbelievable ability to create magic. In 2012, we moved away from beads to focus on clothing and gift. Sonja and Shelbi took all those beads to Haiti to teach women how to make jewelry, and shortly after, we launched our wholesale jewelry line — Seeds.
Jumping ahead: in 2022, we started monthly pop-up events in the basement of Wild Ginger in Zumbrota. We fell in love with that town and knew we wanted a permanent home there. We opened full-time upstairs in August 2025 with clothing, jewelry, gifts, and a new area called Stitches — yarn, crafts, and more. Being part of the fiber community, welcoming new people, holding classes, gathering around the table — it's been really special.
My mom passed in September 2025. It's been a brutal year of learning how to be a boss while grieving and fiercely missing my favorite person in the world. I've been trying my best to honor her. Her greatest joy was creating magic with her hands, and sharing that magic so others could fall in love with it too.
Shortly before she passed, we had yarn orders headed to our reps for the Mankato store. After she was gone, I was so overwhelmed and so sad that I couldn't take on anything else — I cancelled all of it.
That brings us to now. I'm not exactly "ready" for more stress, more expense, another creative leap. But like my mom taught me: sometimes you just have to jump in, even when you don't feel ready. Maybe especially then.
So — let's jump all the way in.
Introducing Sticks & Stones + Stitches Mankato, coming August 2026.
A space full of yarn, kits, notions, and needles. A space to gather around our original beading class table — my mom's favorite thing in the world — to learn a new skill, meet people you otherwise wouldn't, and create something with your hands while building community along the way.
I'm nervous, I'm excited, and I'm trusting this is the right choice. Guided by my mom. Knowing our community has shown up for us for 20+ years.
Tell your friends. Come celebrate with us. Grab some yarn. Take a class. Gather.
And don't worry — we'll still have all your favorite clothing, Seeds jewelry, and gift items. Stitches is only adding to the fun.
Because of this new venture, we may be closed a couple of extra days over the next month while we get everything ready, so check our socials before you make the trip.
Thanks for being here. Thanks for showing up. We love you.
Launch Week Schedule
Wednesday, 4–7pm
- Make + take with Melissa
- Chasing Sunsets Food Truck
- Giveaways and drawings all week long
Thursday: 10am–5pm
Friday: 10am–7pm
Stitch Night, 4–7pm — every Friday in Mankato. Bring any project and hang out around our table.
Saturday: 10am–5pm
Sunday: 11am–3pm
Before the big news, a little recap for those who are new here.
My mom, Sonja, opened our Mankato store in 2003 as an antique and bead store — hence the name Sticks & Stones. She was an incredibly talented jewelry maker, designer, and teacher, remembered for her brilliant eye for color and merchandising, and her unbelievable ability to create magic. In 2012, we moved away from beads to focus on clothing and gift. Sonja and Shelbi took all those beads to Haiti to teach women how to make jewelry, and shortly after, we launched our wholesale jewelry line — Seeds.
Jumping ahead: in 2022, we started monthly pop-up events in the basement of Wild Ginger in Zumbrota. We fell in love with that town and knew we wanted a permanent home there. We opened full-time upstairs in August 2025 with clothing, jewelry, gifts, and a new area called Stitches — yarn, crafts, and more. Being part of the fiber community, welcoming new people, holding classes, gathering around the table — it's been really special.
My mom passed in September 2025. It's been a brutal year of learning how to be a boss while grieving and fiercely missing my favorite person in the world. I've been trying my best to honor her. Her greatest joy was creating magic with her hands, and sharing that magic so others could fall in love with it too.
Shortly before she passed, we had yarn orders headed to our reps for the Mankato store. After she was gone, I was so overwhelmed and so sad that I couldn't take on anything else — I cancelled all of it.
That brings us to now. I'm not exactly "ready" for more stress, more expense, another creative leap. But like my mom taught me: sometimes you just have to jump in, even when you don't feel ready. Maybe especially then.
So — let's jump all the way in.
Introducing Sticks & Stones + Stitches Mankato, coming August 2026.
A space full of yarn, kits, notions, and needles. A space to gather around our original beading class table — my mom's favorite thing in the world — to learn a new skill, meet people you otherwise wouldn't, and create something with your hands while building community along the way.
I'm nervous, I'm excited, and I'm trusting this is the right choice. Guided by my mom. Knowing our community has shown up for us for 20+ years.
Tell your friends. Come celebrate with us. Grab some yarn. Take a class. Gather.
And don't worry — we'll still have all your favorite clothing, Seeds jewelry, and gift items. Stitches is only adding to the fun.
Because of this new venture, we may be closed a couple of extra days over the next month while we get everything ready, so check our socials before you make the trip.
Thanks for being here. Thanks for showing up. We love you.
Launch Week Schedule
Wednesday, 4–7pm
- Make + take with Melissa
- Chasing Sunsets Food Truck
- Giveaways and drawings all week long
Thursday: 10am–5pm
Friday: 10am–7pm
Stitch Night, 4–7pm — every Friday in Mankato. Bring any project and hang out around our table.
Saturday: 10am–5pm
Sunday: 11am–3pm
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
1027 N Riverfront Dr, Mankato, MN, United States, Minnesota 56001
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherSticks and Stones
