As I was thinking about this year's anniversary, I realized something.
On August 1, 2026, Yarn Store Boutique celebrates nine years.
Nine years.
It hardly seems possible.
I still remember opening the doors on August 1, 2017. Those first few weeks were very different from today. I would often find myself sitting on the little front porch of the shop, hoping and waiting for someone—anyone—to walk through the door.
It could be pretty lonely.
Thankfully, I had plenty of knitting to keep me occupied. I made sample after sample for the store, so all was not lost! Looking back, those quiet hours became the sweaters, shawls, cowls, and blankets that welcomed our future customers.
The first year was definitely the hardest. I worried about paying the bills. I wondered if opening a yarn store had been the right decision. I knew how to knit and teach, but marketing? Facebook? Instagram? Social media? I knew almost nothing about any of it.
So how does a yarn store market itself without knowing the digital world?
Well...you pray a lot.
And you hope that word gets around.
Thankfully, I had wonderful friends who believed in me. They told their friends, who told their friends, who told even more friends. One customer became two. Two became ten. Ten became a knitting group. Before long, this little dream began to grow.
Many of those very first customers are still part of the YSB family today.
Debbie, Dianne, Kim, Laura, Tamara, Dolores, Dana, Rolita, Linda, Nina, Cathy, Sharon...and so many more whose names instantly come to mind as I write this.
You have watched the store grow, and I have had the privilege of watching your families grow as well.
Today we have our Monday group, Thursday group, Friday group, Saturday group, Wednesday night group, and even our Sunday crowd when we're open.
People often ask me, "How did you build such a wonderful community?"
The answer has never changed.
My motto has always been:
"Love those that enter my store, embrace their story, and get to know them." That simple philosophy has guided every day we've been open.
I may not always remember every name immediately (although I certainly try!), but I usually remember your story. I remember who taught you to knit. I remember the sweater you struggled through. I remember your grandchildren, your travels, your celebrations, and sometimes your heartaches.
That's what makes this place different.
We're not just helping someone choose yarn.
We're building friendships.
We laugh together.
We cry together.
We celebrate finished projects.
We encourage each other through the ones that make us want to throw our needles across the room.
We've become cheerleaders for one another, not just in knitting and crochet, but in life.
One of the things that makes me smile the most is watching our regular customers. They've been trained well!
If I'm helping someone else, they don't wait for me. They'll greet a new customer as soon as they walk through the door, introduce themselves, help them find what they're looking for, and make sure they feel welcome.
There really are no strangers at Yarn Store Boutique.
Just friends we haven't met yet.
Now, are we perfect?
Absolutely not.
Every once in a while someone quietly slips in and slips back out before we realize they were there. When that happens, you might just see me running out into the parking lot apologizing because I didn't have the chance to welcome them properly.
Because that matters to me.
Everyone deserves to feel seen.
Everyone deserves to feel welcome.
Everyone deserves to feel at home.
As we celebrate nine years, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. What began as a lonely little yarn shop with one hopeful owner sitting on the front porch has become a place filled with laughter, encouragement, creativity, and genuine friendships.
The yarn may be what brings us through the door.
But it's the friendships that keep us coming back.
And for every one of those friendships, I am deeply thankful.
Here's to many more years of stitches, stories, hugs, and the wonderful community we call: Yarn Store Boutique
I wish the best to all my old friends and my future new friends.
P.S. We are celebrating our birthday early this year on July 25, we will have a trunk show with The Knitting Artist on July 24, 25 & 26 (noon – 5:00 P.M.)