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#1
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Owning/running a needlework store
I hope this isn't an inappropriate place to post this. But I'd love
to pick the brains of any of you that has owned or operated a needlework store. It is kind of a dream of mine and I'm having such a hard time finding employment, I wonder if I should look at employing myself! I just have a zillion questions. How stable is the industry? Startup costs, monthly expenses, areas most likely to be a successful location, how you got started, what were your greatest challenges, what will sink the shop. Etc. etc. etc. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up the work I love (corporate trainer), but I'm curious about the above. Thanks, Laurie Washougal, WA |
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#2
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I've had these same questions. The only needlework store in this area closed
about a year ago. She never did carry much yarn; she had more cross-stitch and "heirloom sewing." Another craft shop bought her x-st inventory. The ONLY place in town that carries yarn now is WalMart. (And I think I have more yarn than they do!) Still stitchin' and smilin' Carol in SC I hope this isn't an inappropriate place to post this. But I'd love to pick the brains of any of you that has owned or operated a needlework store. It is kind of a dream of mine and I'm having such a hard time finding employment, I wonder if I should look at employing myself! I just have a zillion questions. How stable is the industry? Startup costs, monthly expenses, areas most likely to be a successful location, how you got started, what were your greatest challenges, what will sink the shop. Etc. etc. etc. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up the work I love (corporate trainer), but I'm curious about the above. Thanks, Laurie Washougal, WA |
#3
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Laurie:
I haven't owned a yarn store (or store of any kind) but I will start the ball rolling with some thoughts and observations. 1) Diversity. Consider what you can offer and diversify as you can. Can you have a variety of classes, good hours or a larger selection? 2) Knitting isn't going to be queen of the crafts forever - the shops that survive the best are the ones that follow #1 the best. You won't be able to compete with the chain stores, but have a variety of yarns and sales. Consider having an account with a mill (or other inexpensive types of yarn) so you can have some 'bargain' yarn. . maybe to the point of having large cone(s) and winding off skeins for the bargin basket/shelf. Those folk that can't afford to come in and buy the $10/skein yarn to make a large sweater or afghan will keep coming back and getting a few off your bargain table and drooling on the more expensive yarn - if you keep giving them reasons to visit - they'll come back when they have extra money (birthday, anniversity, tax refunds. . .) 3) Have the prices readily available - too many times I've been in a busy yarn store and they've lost business because I had no way to find out prices and can't afford to just pick it out and not worry how much it will cost. 4) Lose some floor space to chairs - maybe a table or two, and/or a space for children to safely play. 5) Advertise what you have and where you are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6) #4 & 5 - can be used to encourage mothers with younger children that would love to learn to knit/crochet. . . but can't afford a baby sitter AND to buy the yarn/patterns/equipment - give them a way to safely come and browse - encourage people to stay a little, sit down and work on something. (or they already know how but just can't get out to shop) 7) Take that thought and run! Someone comes in to browse and sees another person working on a sock (because there is a place for them to sit and work on one) - "ooooohhhh maybe I could learn to do that" or "I've seen that pattern and didn't realize how pretty it really is!" . . . 8) Have a Knit time - invite people to come and spend a hour or two once or twice a month - or maybe once a month in the evening and once during the day on the weekend or some such thing. . . 9) Is there a local guild of Lacemakers, knitters, spinners. . . might consider hosting them occassionally or more often. . . 10) Think about your hours carefully - they, of course, need to work for you but consider that a large number of folk work 8-5 so if you are open only 9-5 they will have little opportunity to stop by. 11) HAVE A WEB PAGE - even if it is nothing more than one page with address, phone number, hours and a list of yarns/items carried. It makes it easier for people passing through and/or visiting your town (or area) to find you! 12) Have classes!!!!!! 13) Have items already made up, using yarn you carry and patterns you carry Make it a little different from the pattern picture (at least a different color). 14) Have small items that people can make - using a more expensive yarn but only needing one or two skeins. Like socks, scarves, pot holders, mittens. . . . people will see them and think - wow! I could get just one skein and have fun knitting/crochetting with it and not go broke - they may end up liking the yarn so much that they come back for enough to make a sweater 15) If there are other yarn stores in your area - visit them and see what yarns they carry and what else they have going on - then be different (doesn't have to be totally - but if you both carry exactly the same thing and offer the exact same classes. . . then since the other store(s) are already established - it could be much harder for you to get any of the business. Where - well right across from a Hobby Lobby or Michaels may not be the best place but somewhere there's a bit of traffic could be good (if they can easily see you are there - because of a easily readable sign and or a good window display) - but considerations - lots of parking (preferably free), safe place to be in the evenings/night time (if you will be open then), maybe there is somewhere near for the SO to go visit. Sometimes where doesn't matter as much - if the other considerations are met *AND* people know where you are! If there is a bus service - then close to a bus route would be a plus. Good luck in your search for information - do be sure to check out a small business course as suggested by others - this should give you the in's and out's of the business/state side of having your own business. Otherwise - these observations are from 30+ years of visiting many craft/yarn stores and noticing what seems to be working and what seems to be downfalls. Sonya |
#4
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#5
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Hi Laurie!
I agree with most everything Sonya said...you should open a yarn store, Sonya! Truth be told, my friend and I were looking into opening one ourselves, so I asked the owner of a yarn shop I frequent (30 miles away from home no less!), and in addition to some of the points Sonya listed, he gave me some things to consider: 1) When shopping for a retail location, look at the cars in the parking lot. According to Chris (the LYS owner), if there aren't high-end cars in the lot, it's not worth opening there. That brings us to his second point: 2) Your competitor, believe it or not, is not Michaels, Joann's or any other chain store. When people make a conscious decision to shop for yarn in a specialty store, they aren't looking for "cheap" or low-end yarn...they want the good stuff. It's important, however, to carry good valued yarn as well. For instance, although people would come in and drool over the Noro, that's not going to be what you sell the most of every day. Keep some good, reasonably priced wool yarns on hand as well as an alternative. Can't afford the Rowan wools? Stock Brown Sheep close by in similar weights so that the customer has the opportunity to choose. 3) As a curteousy, stock lower end acrylic and baby yarns, but don't make this your main business. According to Chris, your bread and butter will be coming from the moderately priced yarns, accessories, and perhaps publications. 4) Holding classes and special events that are well publicized will also generate good income. Don't overlook this. That's what I've been told...but keep in mind, I live in Southern California, and the culture here is pretty different (namely, many affluent areas) from other parts of the country. You'll need to modify these guidelines to suit your needs and your community. Hope this helps! Good luck! Allaya "Laurie" wrote in message m... I hope this isn't an inappropriate place to post this. But I'd love to pick the brains of any of you that has owned or operated a needlework store. It is kind of a dream of mine and I'm having such a hard time finding employment, I wonder if I should look at employing myself! I just have a zillion questions. How stable is the industry? Startup costs, monthly expenses, areas most likely to be a successful location, how you got started, what were your greatest challenges, what will sink the shop. Etc. etc. etc. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up the work I love (corporate trainer), but I'm curious about the above. Thanks, Laurie Washougal, WA |
#6
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#7
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Laurie,
Boy, have you ever received some good suggestions and tips. Sonya if you ever open a store, I'll be there even though I don't know where you live. I have to agree with one of the others about the crocheting, my LYS is only interested in knitting and fabrics hardly any crocheting things at all so include that too. Hugs, Nora |
#8
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Laurie wrote in message =
m... I'm not sure I'm ready to give up the work I love (corporate trainer), but I'm curious about the above. What made me stay loyal to the wool shop near me is that when I enquired = about a pattern, and told the lady that i was unsure that I could cope = with it, she said that if I got stuck I could go back and she could give = me a hand. Very impressive. Also, I was looking for some 100% cotton, or wool within a budget and = she did a thorough search and found just enough for the jumper I was = knitting in her stockroom. If you think that you can do it, go for it. I had a bit of a panic when = my mum gave up her job and opened a cafe last year. Thank goodness it is = going alright, we were very worried for her at the time, but she knew = she could do it ) Sarah --=20 |
#9
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Laurie,
You are not the first person to post this question here. And what better place to post it than in this group? My first thing would be to make it a friendly store. Crafters are slow shoppers, and need to be able to fondle yarn. It is helpful to have samples of knitted things around so that people can see what certain wools look like when knitted. I would think that the industry is fairly stable, as people will always want to create beauty. You would need to be very careful of the rent, as a high rent can wipe you out. Katherine "Laurie" wrote in message m... I hope this isn't an inappropriate place to post this. But I'd love to pick the brains of any of you that has owned or operated a needlework store. It is kind of a dream of mine and I'm having such a hard time finding employment, I wonder if I should look at employing myself! I just have a zillion questions. How stable is the industry? Startup costs, monthly expenses, areas most likely to be a successful location, how you got started, what were your greatest challenges, what will sink the shop. Etc. etc. etc. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up the work I love (corporate trainer), but I'm curious about the above. Thanks, Laurie Washougal, WA |
#10
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Allaya, Southern California is shockingly lacking in yarn/needlework
stores. If you are serious, look at Pasadena. The South Lake shopping area would be PRIME yarn store location. Well, as long as it had a little tea shop in the back for lunches. There are masses of companies around there that flood the streets at lunch time and with those disposable incomes and computer glazed eyes, I think there are converts waiting to happen. If I hadn't been bent on coming back to the Pacific Northwest, that is where I would have opened a shop. I appreciate everyone's advice. I've been printing out the suggestions and I agree with them all. I'm a crocheter and have dropped a bundle when I managed to find neat patterns for crochet (I'm doing socks right now and they are CUTE). Fortunately I do have some retail experience and better yet, a lot of customer service, merchandising, and marketing experience so I know I could draw customers in and get them to buy. I just don't know much about the demographics of areas to decide on locations (fortunately, I haven't bought a home here yet so I'm mobile). I've never negotiated a lease and I've never done a payroll. Ugh, and the taxes...I'll look up those small business courses right now! I am also taking advantage of SCORE but I thought the best juice would come from the demographic I would be targeting as a customer. You are all being very helpful! Laurie Washougal, WA |
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