We’re Pete and Jen – with a history that is oddly similar to the founders of Life is good in that we lived out of our vehicle for two years.  Yup, two people, two dogs, one van.

For 10 years we were sales reps together in the outdoor industry (Pete is still dabbling in that arena) selling camping/climbing equipment and clothing in as many as 11 states in the Midwest. We decided it didn’t make sense to pay rent for an apartment when we were never there, so we moved our belongings into storage and hit the road in what would be the first of two VW vans soon to be replaced by a big, safe (hard to roll over) truck.

For 2 years we climbed rock and ice, ran trails, hiked and paddled lakes and rivers while we worked our way around the Midwest. Those two years on the road definitely taught us new appreciation for each other (and dog hair) while living in such close quarters.

Finally, it was time to get off the road and settle down a little. We found a small slice of heaven in rural northwestern Wisconsin with no neighbors, amazing night skies, and the 3,000 acre Straight Lake State Park near by. Pete spends many hours in the park and on the nearby Ice Age Trail running (his form of therapy that he calls training for Ultra Marathons) while Jen, Molly, and Tua enjoy more sane distance while hiking. At the height of spring Pete can “collect” more than 8 ticks per mile of running. This can really add up when you are going 15 to 20 miles!

On Mother’s Day 2007, we opened the doors to Jakes on St. Croix as the newest chapter in our adventure of life. We found a beautiful location in a 115 year-old building on Main Street in Stillwater, MN (Stillwater is the oldest town in Minnesota after all!) The 12+ foot ceilings posed a challenge when it came to decorating so we bribed our friends with promises of pizza and beverages, handed them paint rollers, and we all got busy. Despite the beverages consumed, we’re pleased with the outcome and confident you will be too.

So the next time you’re in the area stop by and say hello and maybe find something in our shop to brighten your day and add some optimism to your life.
   
 

Custom Reverse-Painted Windows:

Jen created some fun reverse painted windows to decorate the shop – images of Jake,(Life is Good character), having fun like he does. 

After many customer offers to purchase the paintings (Sorry – can’t sell the Life is Good images, a small thing called a branded image!) she made a few windows with scenes from the family cabin – which sold immediately.  She paints custom windows too – just bring in a digital photo and she can find a window that will work with the image. 

This unique art form requires special skills because the artist paints the design on the back side of the glass for viewing from the front side.  Reverse painting on glass requires scenes to be painted in mirror image. When the glass is viewed from the front, up close objects are painted on first. The background objects viewed are painted on last.  So there is little room for errors as there is no way to alter the first layers of paint that are seen from the front side of the glass after they have been painted on.