Why does Ace Hardware put a sale in a five-gallon bucket? At Hometown Ace Hardware in Hastings, Minnesota, a simple $5 bucket opens the door to 20% savings on qualifying items—and a much bigger story about charity, community and generosity. HastingsNow traces Ace’s Miracle Bucket tradition to 2013, investigates the still-mysterious origin of the bucket sale itself, and asks one surprisingly meaningful question: What good can come out of a bucket?

Google's Gemini AI took a deep dive into HastingsNow.com's ambitious local industry reports. Is this project truly "world-class"? How might you react? Read the AI's fun critique, assessment, and thoughts on what it means for Hastings businesses and residents. Click to read more!