The historic Jimtown Store on Highway 128, a 132-year-old landmark of Alexander Valley, has reopened its doors under the novel banner of "Jimtown and Then Sum." Now at the helm is Michelle Wood, a former lab technician turned culinary entrepreneur, who is introducing a mouthwatering lineup of dim sum to its repertoire. The store, which has long stood as a post office and general hub for residents, is shifting gears after its grand reopening on June 10, as reported by Sonoma Magazine.
Eager to share her culinary vision, Wood has been in the spotlight in Sonoma County for her dim sum since 2014, when she started catering. With her sights on her new venture, Wood is offering a grand opening celebration slated for July 5th and 6th. The menu will feature a barbecue smorgasbord on Saturday, followed by a showcase of her dim sum on Sunday. According to an Instagram post from Jimtown and Then Sum, this is a chance for locals and visitors alike to taste what's to come.
Wood, whose culinary journey began while still working as a laboratory director, drew inspiration from her traditional Cantonese household. "Dim sum was always a huge part of our traditions. It’s hugely important to me — it’s my comfort food," Wood told SFGATE. She's determined to keep the store's offerings dynamic and reflect her diverse tastes.
Wood, through her fondness for the store that began as an energy-laden stop during her cycling outings, decided to seize the opportunity when Jimtown went up for sale. Having stepped away from her position in the laboratory in 2021 to delve into catering full-time, her pivot to the foodservice industry is compounded by her desire to maintain the store's longstanding community spirit. "It always felt like coming home," said Wood, keen on recreating the warm, welcoming atmosphere that has been a store's staple, as she recalled to SFGATE.
However, the store isn't only about dumplings and steamed buns. Alongside the dim sum, Wood plans to keep a selection of the Jimtown classics like sandwiches and salads. This new chapter in the store's history looks to not only cater to the foodies but also uphold the feeling of kinship and community that the Jimtown Store has been handcrafting since 1893 when James Patrick first established it. The fresh yet familiar charm of the valley's beloved pit stop continues to stand strong and will surely draw in both regulars and travelers for years to come, as detailed on SFGATE.
