FOND DU LAC – After almost two years of bringing Fond du Lac products under one roof, downtown's Gathered Roots announced it will close.
Owners Donna Pierce and Lawrence Foster announced on the store's Facebook page June 26 that they will close the physical store at 15 N. Main St. as of June 28 and shift fully to an online marketplace at gatheredrootsfdl.com.
"We opened the store during the pandemic in hopes to create something unique and add a beautiful shopping space to our historic downtown during a time of great uncertainty, and to essentially give back to our community," the post reads. "We believe we achieved that."
Among navigating the highs and lows of operating a small business, Pierce and Foster have full-time jobs they continued to focus on while Gathered Roots was open. They also cited in the post some personal losses that prompted the decision to close as they reassess their priorities.
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"Our beautiful partnerships that were formed and friendships made with our store vendors and north block neighbors we will forever be grateful for," the post continues.
Gathered Roots opened in late 2021 with the goal of featuring local vendors and Fond du Lac pride in the heart of downtown. Among body care, wine, apparel and other gifts, the store also had a counter serving signature coffee and Cedar Crest ice cream.
As the business transitions fully to online, updates will be available on the store's Facebook page and website.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Gathered Roots closes downtown Fond du Lac shop, online store is open