After 100 years, Gretchen Sollo had a major first: a surprise birthday party, thrown by the Lowe’s employees she sees every day.
Following a stroke, Sollo turned to the aisles of Lowe’s for her daily walk and to keep out of the weather in Bradley, Illinois. She’s since walked an estimated 1,500 miles over five years, creating a daily ritual and friendships with staff members that stretched around the store.
Store associates check on her number of laps and even challenge her to races, joining her on her walks around the store. If there’s ever a day Sollo doesn’t show up, staff members notice and worry.
Store manager Joe Jackson gave her the honorary title of “store mom.”
Once Jackson and staff found out Sollo was turning 100 on November 1, 2026, they knew they had to do something special.
When Sollo showed up for her daily laps on October 30, she was joined by Jackson. Jackson guided Sollo over to a decorated aisle where a blue carpet led to an arch of birthday balloons, a cake and a personalized Lowe’s vest for Sollo. The aisle was lined by around 50 associates (some who came on their day off), friends, family and Sollo’s son Hugh.
“I never wanted a birthday party,” Sollo told People in an exclusive interview, adding “Means I missed out on a lot, I guess.”
A woman who spent a century working, raising a family, and staying active finally took a moment to allow others to show how much they cared – they just had to meet her where she already was.
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