Fall City pop-up holiday shop supports local nonprofit

Fall City has a new spot to buy holiday gifts while simultaneously supporting a local nonprofit.

The Live Gray’s Way Foundation has opened a pop-up storefront in downtown Fall City, and all proceeds will go to helping kids and their families fight pediatric brain cancer, as well as cancer research. Gray’s Mercantile officially opened Nov. 15 and will be open at least through the end of December.

The store fulfills a longtime dream of Summer Stumpf, mother of Grayson Stumpf and founder of Live Gray’s Way. She said her motivation for opening the shop was two-fold: support the foundation while exploring her passion for merchandising and local vendors.

“I love telling people’s stories, so the opportunity to promote and tell the stories of all these wonderful vendors and partners from around the Valley in one place is just amazing,” she said. “There’s so many wonderful humans that do these crafts, and they’re talented, and to be able to share that and with the community in one space is kind of like my dream.”

Stumpf stocked the shop with items from more than 30 vendors, mainly local, including holiday decor, gifts, kitchen wares and food items.

Partnering with these local vendors has allowed Stumpf to build even more connections, not only between her and the community, but between community members and Grayson.

Photo by Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record

“There’s a lot of connections, and there’s a lot of ties to other people telling Grayson’s story and giving them an opportunity to share their story,” she said. “There’s a lot of that going on, and it’s joyful.”

While the store was purely Stumpf’s vision, she said that it wouldn’t have come to life without the help of her Fall City neighbors.

“There’s some really important people in this town that have helped me,” she said, noting the Nelsons of Nelson Treehouse, Hauglies of Hauglie Insurance.

Stumpf specifically mentioned her gratitude for Beth Traverso, a local real estate agent who donated the space for the mercantile and is a long-time Live Gray’s Way supporter.

“Without Beth’s help and support, the mercantile would never have happened,” Stumpf said. “Beth supports us all year long and gives back so much to this community.”

Stumpf said Fall City residents came to her family’s side when Grayson was diagnosed, and they haven’t left since. On June 13, 2020, Grayson, at age 11, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare, cancerous brain tumor. He died June 25, 2021.

“I’m very grateful,” she said. “The support from the community and the love, it just never ends for us. They just keep supporting us and showing up, and it’s just why I love this town.”

Check it out

Gray’s Mercantile is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday through Monday from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Live Gray’s Way will also be hosting the Fall City Festival of Lights Dec. 6, an event to support the foundation. For more information, visit givebutter.com/fcfestivaloflights.

Gray’s Mercantile founder Summer Stumpf prepares to cut the ribbon, surrounded by family, Nov. 15, 2025. Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record

Gray’s Mercantile founder Summer Stumpf holds back tears at the Gray’s Mercantile ribbon-cutting ceremony, Nov. 15, 2025. From left: Fall City Community Association Vice President Sarah Kieffer; SnoValley Chamber CEO Kelly Coughlin; Summer Stumpf; Aaron Stumpf. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)