09/10/2026
Well… apparently the universe decided we were done for the season before we did. 😂
We had every intention of opening Thursday, Friday and Saturday for one last weekend at the Gingham Inn. Then the storms had other plans.
Our house in Des Moines ended up with water in the basement, more storms are headed that way, and because one household disaster apparently wasn’t enough, our practically-new central air decided yesterday was a great day to quit too.
So instead of frying chicken this weekend, we’ll be pumping water, running fans and trying to convince an air conditioner that four years old is WAY too young for retirement.
Unfortunately, that means the Gingham Inn is officially closed for the 2026 season.
We really hate that we don’t get one last weekend with you.
But what a summer. ❤️
Spirit Lake, you showed up for us in a way we never could have expected. You ordered a ridiculous amount of chicken. You packed our patio. You supported our little place, told your friends about us, came back week after week and gave us one hell of a first season.
We learned a lot. We laughed a lot. We probably fried enough chicken to populate a small Iowa town.
And we are incredibly grateful.
Thank you to every customer, employee, neighbor, friend and family member who helped make our first summer at the Gingham Inn one we’ll never forget.
Now we’re going to go dry out a basement, fix an air conditioner and maybe sleep for a minute.
We’ll see you in May 2027. ❤️
Until then — thank you, Spirit Lake.
— Sarah & Rachel
