Tyler and Michelle Conrad’s daughters, Matissa (15), Tahari (13) and Matinly (8), look into the sweet-filled display case at GoodThings Café. Photos: Purpera Style Photography
A family-owned retailer celebrates 50 years with the opening of a new café.
Much has changed over the past 50 years, both near and far. But in White Bear Lake, there remains a core group of businesses that have stood the test of time. These shops and their owners have come to define the heart of this community, seeing it through a dramatic period of growth by providing goods and services that locals and visitors alike can depend on.
Sharon Conrad, founder of GoodThings, has participated in the awakening of downtown since opening her first shop, Spanky’s Emporium, in 1973. Her son, Tyler Conrad, joined her as co-owner of GoodThings in 1998.
After many moves, additions and name changes, the family-owned business celebrated its 50th anniversary last autumn with an expansion—continuing the legacy of Grandma’s Bakery.
The duo launched GoodThings Café on October 30, just two weeks after Grandma’s Bakery (under new owner, Wuollet Bakery) moved out. “That bakery meant a lot to downtown, and still means a lot to downtown,” Sharon says. “We would never want to remove something that was making our downtown whole.”
Three generations of Conrads stand in front of the newest addition to their family-owned business. From left to right: Tahari (holding dog, Tanner) Michelle, Tyler, Matinly, Ron, Sharon and Matissa.
Like Grandma’s, GoodThings Café will prioritize fresh-baked breads, pastries, donuts and cookies, with the hope to have everything made in-house in the coming months. Breakfast and lunch offerings are also available, including grab-and-go snacks, soups, salads and sandwiches. And, of course, coffee and espresso options—with beans sourced from a Wisconsin roaster.
“While we were all saddened with the closing of the beloved Grandma’s Bakery on Fourth Street, everyone is excited about the new GoodThings Café,” says Lisa Beecroft, president of White Bear Lake Main Street. “The Conrads have done a nice job of providing a charming café that complements downtown White Bear Lake.”
The quick transition means there will be much to come this year, from interior changes to menu improvements. “It’s going to evolve,” Tyler says.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the expansion for the Conrads is that they were able to connect GoodThings, GoodThings Café and GoodStyle, opening the three spaces and improving the shopping experience—a dream years in the making. “Customers no longer have to walk out and around to each space—they’re one continuous space,” Tyler says.
And while Sharon was initially hesitant to leap into the food industry, she’s excited for what the evolution means for GoodThings and the broader community. “The more and more we see in other cities, stores like ours expanding into food and having little side cafés in them—it makes for a wonderful shopping environment,” Sharon says.
The transition has already been a hit with longtime customers, Tyler notes. In the weeks after opening, he recalls greeting two women who have been loyal customers since the first years of Spanky’s. One of those women had been the sole visitor to Sharon’s first holiday open house during a blizzard in 1973, arriving at the event on cross-country skis.
It’s that family-to-family connection that the Conrads will forever value. Meeting new people, developing lasting friendships and serving and supporting the community. “I thank them all,” Sharon says. “The ones that have gone and the ones that come after them.”
50 Years of Growth
Since opening her first store with a $5,000 loan from her father, Sharon hasn’t looked back. “I always loved White Bear, and I wanted to see it develop because I felt it was the best little town in all of the Twin Cities,” she says.
From a 12-year-old girl dreaming about owning a store to a 22-year-old woman opening her first shop in the basement of a local bank building and now, a 75-year-old with a legacy of entrepreneurship and commitment to the White Bear Lake community, it’s been quite a journey.
“It’s been like living with your friends and having fun with your friends your whole life. It’s just a wonderful feeling,” Sharon says. “We are blessed.”
Up until Tyler joined her as co-owner, Sharon had yet to pay herself. “Any money, I just put back into the business, and I did that for more than 20 years,” she says.
This was, in large part, due to her desire to continue to grow, develop and enliven the White Bear Lake community. As a spokesperson for downtown for many years, she encouraged new businesses to make the move to White Bear Lake.
“All of the sudden, the town just became alive. It started growing and growing and growing, and it was just such a wonderful place to be,” Sharon says. “I wouldn’t shoo anybody away from coming to White Bear. I think the best thing in the whole wide world is competition, face-to-face; it brings more customers, the same type of customers, and that’s why you can’t find parking in downtown White Bear Lake.”
With Tyler’s support, GoodThings has gone through expansion and improvement in recent years. In addition to the now four shops in White Bear Lake—GoodThings, GoodThings Café, GoodThings Clothing and GoodThings Kids—you can also find GoodThings in St. Paul, Maple Grove and at the Minnesota State Fair.
Yet, White Bear Lake will forever remain the heart of GoodThings.
“White Bear was our anchor, our flagship store, our oldest, our first, our everything here,” Sharon says. “It’s just been a wonderful ride through life to be able to do what you love, and I’ve loved every minute.”
GoodThings Café
2184 Fourth St. Suite 2, White Bear Lake; 651.426.8006
Facebook: GoodThings
Instagram: @goodthingsmn
