Sandbar Storytelling Festival | Winona, MN | October 12-14

Sandbar Storytelling Festival Programming

Business and Immigrant Stories

Each summer Sandbar Storytelling Festival partners with the Winona County Historical Society and Project FINE to present a four-part series highlighting the people that built the businesses that built our town. This series celebrates Winona’s legacy businesses and the people that built them, giving attendees the opportunity to learn more about how iconic and beloved Winona institutions came to be. In 2026, SSF featured Blooming Grounds, Merchants Bank, Bluff Country Co-op, and Immigrant Stories with Project Fine.

All Business & Immigrant Stories events are free and open to the public. There is limited seating, but no reservations are required. Stories begin at 7:00 p.m., with a reception and refreshments following the story.

Sandbar Storytelling Festival Blooming Grounds

Sandbar Storytelling Festival Merchants Bank

Sandbar Storytelling Festival Bluff Country Co-op

Blooming Grounds
June 4th: The series kicks off on Thursday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. with Amy Jo Marks, founder of Blooming Grounds Coffee House and Muddled Thyme Restaurant. Blooming Grounds Coffee House is located in the heart of downtown Winona, MN and was established in 2003 with its doors opening on Labor Day. After getting a degree in Criminal Justice, owner Amy Jo decided to follow her passion for baking and working in customer service by opening a coffee house, and mixed a cozy atmosphere with homemade baked goods. Over the years, Amy Jo has navigated her business through a fire and pandemic, and expanded her businesses to include Blooming Grounds Express and Muddled Thyme restaurant.

Merchants Bank
July 16th: Since its founding in downtown Winona in 1875, Merchants Bank has been at the center of Winona’s economic and cultural activity. Hear the foundational story of the bank as it was established for the working class and grew into a regional banking leader that’s committed to customers, employees, shareholders, and the now many communities they call home. With a presentation by President & CEO Greg Evans, attendees will hear about Merchants Bank early days and historic Winona location, growth, and role in the broader banking industry today.

Bluff Country Co-op
August 13th: Since 1972, the Bluff Country Co-op has been part of Winona’s downtown. Led by grassroots efforts of community members committed to building a grocery store that opened as “Famine Foods” on Second Street. Since those early days, the food co-op has grown from a fully volunteer-led organization to a name change, new location, expanded footprint and community-focused store we know today. Led by a volunteer board, the Bluff Country Co-op and it’s 2,000+ members serve the community through a cooperative business model and mindset. With presentations by Michael Doyle, the co-op’s first full-time employee, Lizzy Haywood, former General Manager, and Heather Kitching, current General Manager.

Project FINE
September 15th: Sandbar Storytelling Festival, in partnership with the Winona County Historical Society, invites the public to the final installment of the four-part Business & Immigrant Stories on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the WCHS Wanek Room.

Sandbar Storytelling Festival Programming

Business and Immigrant Stories

Blooming Grounds: June 4th

The series kicks off on Thursday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. with Amy Jo Marks, founder of Blooming Grounds Coffee House and Muddled Thyme Restaurant. Blooming Grounds Coffee House is located in the heart of downtown Winona, MN and was established in 2003 with its doors opening on Labor Day. After getting a degree in Criminal Justice, owner Amy Jo decided to follow her passion for baking and working in customer service by opening a coffee house, and mixed a cozy atmosphere with homemade baked goods. Over the years, Amy Jo has navigated her business through a fire and pandemic, and expanded her businesses to include Blooming Grounds Express and Muddled Thyme restaurant.

Merchants Bank: July 16th

Since its founding in downtown Winona in 1875, Merchants Bank has been at the center of Winona’s economic and cultural activity. Hear the foundational story of the bank as it was established for the working class and grew into a regional banking leader that’s committed to customers, employees, shareholders, and the now many communities they call home. With a presentation by President & CEO Greg Evans, attendees will hear about Merchants Bank early days and historic Winona location, growth, and role in the broader banking industry today.

Co-op: August 13th

Since 1972, the Bluff Country Co-op has been part of Winona’s downtown. Led by grassroots efforts of community members committed to building a grocery store that opened as “Famine Foods” on Second Street. Since those early days, the food co-op has grown from a fully volunteer-led organization to a name change, new location, expanded footprint and community-focused store we know today. Led by a volunteer board, the Bluff Country Co-op and it’s 2,000+ members serve the community through a cooperative business model and mindset. With presentations by Michael Doyle, the co-op’s first full-time employee, Lizzy Haywood, former General Manager, and Heather Kitching, current General Manager.

Project FINE: September 15th

Sandbar Storytelling Festival, in partnership with the Winona County Historical Society, invites the public to the final installment of the four-part Business & Immigrant Stories on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the WCHS Wanek Room.