After closing in late 2019, the historic Jimtown Store is set to reopen June 10 with a new name and under new ownership. Michelle Wood, owner of the catering company Dim Sum and Then Sum, purchased the property nearly 18 months ago and formally took over from longtime owner Carrie Brown in late 2023.
Wood, who previously worked as a lab manager before shifting to full-time catering in 2021, began using the space for pop-ups and as a home base for her company, which is known for handmade Chinese dishes like dumplings, steamed buns and spring rolls inspired by her family recipes.
But it wasn’t her interest in cooking that first brought Wood to Jimtown. Instead, she said she fell in love with the historic Highway 128 outpost as a cyclist. With few food options in the immediate area, Jimtown had long been a popular mid-ride rest stop for riders who sipped and snacked while taking in Alexander Valley view.
A classic menu with a twist
The forthcoming menu at Wood’s Jimtown and Then Sum will include breakfast pastries, classic sandwiches and salads along with a selection of dim sum.
The Highway 128 store first opened in 1893 as a post office, general store and gathering place for residents of the Alexander Valley.
Jimtown’s modern era began in 1991, when Carrie Brown and her late husband, John Werner, took over the space. It became an offbeat destination for visitors who enjoyed Brown’s eclectic collection of toys, candies and housewares. Locals came for sandwiches, Brown’s famous Chain Gang Chili and neighborhood gossip.
More details coming soon.
Jimtown and Then Sum, 6706 Highway 128, Healdsburg, jimtown.com