Neighborly Gifts Journal
Our Stories
Meet the small businesses, makers and neighbors behind every Neighborly gift.
Latest story · Aug 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Ten Years In, Decorah-Based Sogo Snacks Is Still a Family Affair
Managing a small business as a family can be a challenge — unless you turn it into your biggest strength. That's exactly what Dan and Liza have done at Sogo Snacks. Ten...
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Jul 8, 2026 · 2 min read
New Digs for Neighborly Gifts
After more than five years of steady growth, our family business is putting down roots in a new neighborhood. Our move to 1800 N Broadway Avenue in Rochester follows years of searching...Read the story →
Feb 8, 2026 · 2 min read
Meet Our Neighbors Video Series
To celebrate our five-year milestone, Neighborly Gifts has released a video series profiling a few of the vendors who have helped us make this idea of local gifting a success. To view...Read the story →
Jan 21, 2026 · 3 min read
Corona’s Tacos: From Food Truck to Flourishing Family Business
Jesus Corona and Leticia Sanchez were both working fast-food jobs, barely scraping by to support their growing family, when they realized they needed to make a change. “Since we met, we had...Read the story →
Dec 4, 2025 · 2 min read
Unlock New Experiences with Neighborly Gifts’ Explore Voucher
You asked. We listened. Neighborly Gifts is excited to introduce the Explore Voucher — your ticket to discovering the best of Southeast Minnesota. “We hear it all the time — people are...Read the story →
Nov 26, 2025 · 3 min read
Meet 5 New Businesses Adding Flavor — and Purpose — to Our Holiday Collection
As the holiday season approaches each year, the team at Neighborly Gifts pours countless hours into discovering products with purpose for our annual collection. It’s a true labor of love — from...Read the story →
Nov 19, 2025 · 6 min read
Dat’l Hook Ya: How a Backyard Experiment Sparked a Family Business Built on Flavor
Anchored in St. Augustine, Florida, the family behind Dat’l Hook Ya grew up on the water, spending decades fishing offshore and sharing meals made from the day’s catch. That deep connection to...Read the story →
Nov 10, 2025 · 4 min read
How Dandelion Naturals Grows Wellness from the Ground Up
Michelle Hamilton is the founder of Dandelion Naturals, a small-batch body care brand inspired by her lifelong love of nature and wellness. After more than two decades as a nurse, a visit...Read the story →
Oct 7, 2025 · 5 min read
A Perfect Blend: Neighborly Gifts Adds MOKA to Coffee & Pastry Card Offerings
If you ask MOKA founder Joan Wilson how her two-decade career in pharmaceutical sales led her to build one of the Midwest’s most beloved regional coffee brands, she’ll tell you it started...Read the story →
Jun 10, 2025 · 2 min read
Introducing the Thursday’s Downtown Edition of Our #1 Lunch Voucher
Support local restaurants. Treat your team. Experience the best of summer in Rochester. For five years, we’ve watched our Neighborly Lunch Vouchers become a favorite gift across the Mayo Clinic. Thousands of...Read the story →
Jun 10, 2025 · 3 min read
Behind the Vouchers: How Neighborly Gifts Supports Local Restaurants and Builds Community
What’s this really all about, you might ask? Let me give you a personal perspective: “It was such a great experience and engagement opportunity in this new community I now call home.”...Read the story →
Jun 9, 2025 · 3 min read
The Power of Recognition: Why Celebrating Employees Isn’t Just Nice—It’s Strategic
By Ann Dugstad, Extraordinary Workforce In today’s competitive job market, attracting and retaining top talent requires more than offering a competitive salary and benefits. One of the most powerful—but often underestimated—drivers of employee...Read the story →
Feb 28, 2025 · 8 min read
Creating Moments of Joy: Popus Gourmet Popcorn’s Impact in Rochester
At Neighborly, we love sharing the stories behind local businesses that make Rochester and the surrounding area special. In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to highlight multiple neighbors who are...Read the story →Invalid password
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