Jacob & Sierra

When I first met Jake in person, it really felt like he was happy to meet me. And after seeing him interact with so many people at Howdy Bagel, it was clear that he felt that way about everyone. And it was 100% real.

I don't know how many times I sat at the table eating a bagel and listened to him greet people in line with a smile and a "Hey y'all!" It was such a joy and I'm certain that everyone else who heard it felt the same way.

After coming for a while and getting to know each other through a business relationship he asked me if I would be interested in selling my magazine in the shop. He asked in the most incredibly humble way as if I would be doing him a favor. And I thought to myself, "But you guys are the cool ones!" I said "Of course, that would be awesome!" 

People like Jake are so rare and I'm fortunate to have known him, if only for a little while.

The world is worse off without him here and it will always be sad to think of the things he won’t get to do. But just in the time that I knew him, in this one little city in one part of the world, he showed people a better way to be. He and Daniel proved that you can be good, caring, authentic people and still be successful.

His presence here will have an immeasurable impact on this city’s future because everyone who met him, even briefly, saw that in him and they'll always remember how it made them feel.

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-Sierra Hartman

Editor-in-Chief

Grit City Magazine