For more than two decades, The Grand Hand Gallery has been part of the creative fabric of St. Paul’s Grand Avenue. Now, owners Rachael Hartzler and Jim Jacobson are carrying that legacy a little farther west, welcoming visitors to the gallery’s new home at 1338 Grand Ave.
The gallery opened in the new space in February, but the building’s story stretches back generations. Most recently, it was home to Treadle Yard Goods, a beloved independent fabric store that occupied the space for more than 20 years. Before that, it served as a neighborhood drugstore for decades. For Hartzler and Jacobson, preserving that history while adding their own chapter felt especially meaningful.
“The space itself has a long history with this neighborhood,” Jacobson says. “It matters to us that we are respectful of that place.”
That history still reveals itself throughout the building. A tin ceiling and terrazzo entryway nod to earlier eras, while the original wood flooring remains beneath the current floor. In the basement, shelves still bear labels from the drugstore days, and former employees left behind signatures and dates on the walls—some stretching back to the 1940s.
Upstairs, however, the gallery feels bright and fresh. Previously covered windows were reopened, filling the space with natural light. Without the dividing wall found at the former 619 Grand Ave. location, the gallery also feels more open, even though its actual floor space is similar.
Hartzler and Jacobson intentionally maintained a familiar layout. One portion functions as a traditional gallery for exhibitions, while the other serves as the sales floor. Original artwork is woven throughout, alongside pottery, jewelry, glasswork, cards, puzzles and other thoughtfully selected pieces.
The move also places The Grand Hand in the middle of a bustling stretch of Grand Avenue. Hartzler and Jacobson, who live across the street, already knew the intersection as a lively neighborhood hub surrounded by restaurants and shops. Since relocating, they have noticed more foot traffic and a broader mix of visitors discovering the gallery while exploring the area.
That connection is something Hartzler hopes to deepen.
“I feel a really strong sense of community in this current location that feels good, and we want to keep building on that,” she says.
Future possibilities include greater participation in Grand Avenue events, collaborations with neighboring businesses and perhaps even a community art show. The gallery’s popular art and jewelry resale events will continue, offering another way for treasured pieces to find new homes.
Visitors can also expect new jewelry artists, painters and pottery alongside longtime favorites. The goal, Jacobson says, is to keep introducing fresh perspectives without losing what has made The Grand Hand special.
“We’d like to surprise people,” he says, adding that a new space provides the perfect opportunity to keep evolving.
At 1338 Grand Ave., that evolution feels right at home – a new chapter for a longtime gallery inside a space already filled with generations of stories.
1338 Grand Ave., St Paul | 651-312-1122 | thegrandhandgallery.com