Based upon a true story, The Hug Store idea was born during a family visit to Michigan that Shana and Rick took one Thanksgiving. When they arrived at Rick's parents' home, Grandpa (Rick's Dad) asked Shana for a hug since he hadn't seen her in several months and missed her. Shana told Grandpa that she "e;was all out of hugs and needed to go to the store to get some more!"e;