At the General Store, we try to practice gratitude every day. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re extra grateful for the makers who have created special goodies for us to share during the holidays. They help us stay rooted in the Central Coast and are a reminder of how much more satisfying shopping can be when you can touch, smell and taste goods in person!

Morning Glory jams are for the nighttime, too!— We’re talking beer jam. Susan made us two — a porter as well as an IPA. Serve with grilled sausages as part of a cheese board or try Adam Montiel’s tip: a secret ingredient to grilled cheese. 

Lisa at Veris, we adore you. — You will find a new candle at the store called, appropriately, Gratitude. It’s alongside other special releases that Lisa has made for us including chai latte, mistletoe and hot toddy. Lisa has been a partner since we were vision boarding our offerings in our living room seven years ago. Her 100 percent soy candles burn cleaner and produce less soot than paraffin candles.

Moonlight Granola, 2.0 — April started making our custom granola a few years ago after we pretty much pressured her to. It was so ridiculously good, we begged her to let us sell it. This is not her day job, mind you. She’s a busy, busy lady. But not so busy that she didn’t come up with a special holiday granola that reminds us of a slice of apple pie sprinkled with ginger. Delish.

Local goat’s milk soap is back. We can all relax. — When our wonderful soap supplier had to stop production a few years back, we lost one of our most popular bath and body offerings. We’re lucky enough that she shared her recipe with the folks at Stepladder Farms in Cambria and they’ve supplied us with the most sumptuous, moisturizing, handmade soaps in rosemary mint, citrus clove and lavender.

Come to our Pre-Holiday Kick-Off Party, Thursday, November 14 — Be Blessed Flannels and Graf & Lanz trunk shows, chocolate and tea tasting, goody bags and more! It will all benefit must! charities. For details, visit generalstorepaso.com.

We’re grateful for you, Paso Robles! The General Store Team