I agree with the "free knitting space" comments. I was put off to note that Beehive charges for their drop in knitting times. (I guess they're calling it a class, since they offer help, but still
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Knit store ideasscrivenerJanuary 26 2008, 22:02:41 UTC
I have never been able to understand the "dissing" of beginners in yarn stores. They are, after all, the future bread and butter. Every beginner knitting an acrylic scarf, with enough encouragement, will eventually want to knit yummy alpaca sweaters or juicy hand-dyed socks by the dozen. And of course, they will shop where they are, and have been appreciated from the beginning. Duh.
I'm with you on the parking issue. I'm leaning towards a relatively central location, but not downtown. Hmm....I smell a new survey post in the making here....
yarn store ideavwillmsDecember 7 2007, 21:55:54 UTC
hi Nicole. In the past when I have needed help (before the Bitchy Bees) I would go to my local yarn store in Ottawa and ask for advice. Not a knitting lesson type thing, just little things to get me over a hurdle. They were always happy to oblige because they knew I would come back and buy yarn. When I came here, I went to the Beehive to buy some wool and wanted to ask if someone could explain one small part of a sock pattern I had that was confusing, and they told me that I would have to sign up for their $10 help session! I was a bit peeved and it was a turn off for me, as I ended up figuring it out on my own and it would have taken someone a minute or two to explain. I guess the point I'm trying to make is (within reason) be helpful and genuinely interested in your customers and people will become loyal devotees to your business.
Re: yarn store ideascrivenerJanuary 26 2008, 21:54:15 UTC
I agree completely. I have never supported a policy of nickel and diming customers for "help" sessions. A little generosity goes a long way towards building goodwill.
Are you really thinking of opening a yarnshop!!!? That is so RAD! I will totally shop there, and also I volunteer to work for you part time :-P
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Knit store ideasscrivenerJanuary 26 2008, 21:50:37 UTC
Nessa, baby!
The cafe idea is an excellent one, however it raises a whole slew of nasty liability and licensing issues that are better avoided, at least at first. But Ellen had a great idea of cross-promoting with a nearby cafe.
There will indeed be comfy couches and cool jazz (I am, after all, "jazzcole"). And it has been my intention from the beginning to have at least one public internet access station. Why not bring the whole knitting world right into the store?! I'm still thinking about working out printing issues (copyright, paper waste, etc.), but just being able to access all that necessary project info would be enormously helpful to our lovely patrons.
You will, of course, be added to my helper list, however, I will reiterate that I will have no "volunteers" - only fairly paid, happy helpers :-)
Yarn StoreselfknitterDecember 12 2007, 23:03:18 UTC
I would like a store where the employees aren't trying to push you and your ?'s out the door after you have made your purchase. Many yarn stores are helpful until you have spent your money there. Good Luck! I support you all the way. Cheers Christina
Hi Nicole -- This is really exciting and I'd love to see this happen in Victoria. I would second the inviting atmosphere, and great staff that is very welcoming to new knitters. I would love to see something that had an independent feel, with local product, classes, knitting groups. The cafe (as nessa said) is a really cool idea -- even if you couldn't pull that off yourself, it would be cool if you were located near a cafe that wanted to cooperate with you and cross-promote. Anyway, put me on your contact list for helpers. I have graphic and web design skills to offer. I keep my journal separately from livejournal, though, so email me at ellenrooney{at}shaw.ca
Knit Shop ideasscrivenerJanuary 26 2008, 21:40:32 UTC
Thank you, Ellen!
Unfortunately, the cafe within the store idea raises a whole slew of complicated issues, but cross-promoting with a nearby cafe is an excellent idea and duly noted in my "book".
Comments 19
Reply
I'm with you on the parking issue. I'm leaning towards a relatively central location, but not downtown. Hmm....I smell a new survey post in the making here....
Thank you for your generous feedback!
Cheers, Nicole
Reply
In the past when I have needed help (before the Bitchy Bees) I would go to my local yarn store in Ottawa and ask for advice. Not a knitting lesson type thing, just little things to get me over a hurdle. They were always happy to oblige because they knew I would come back and buy yarn. When I came here, I went to the Beehive to buy some wool and wanted to ask if someone could explain one small part of a sock pattern I had that was confusing, and they told me that I would have to sign up for their $10 help session! I was a bit peeved and it was a turn off for me, as I ended up figuring it out on my own and it would have taken someone a minute or two to explain. I guess the point I'm trying to make is (within reason) be helpful and genuinely interested in your customers and people will become loyal devotees to your business.
Reply
Thanks so much for your thoughts!
Cheers, Nicole
Reply
Reply
The cafe idea is an excellent one, however it raises a whole slew of nasty liability and licensing issues that are better avoided, at least at first. But Ellen had a great idea of cross-promoting with a nearby cafe.
There will indeed be comfy couches and cool jazz (I am, after all, "jazzcole"). And it has been my intention from the beginning to have at least one public internet access station. Why not bring the whole knitting world right into the store?! I'm still thinking about working out printing issues (copyright, paper waste, etc.), but just being able to access all that necessary project info would be enormously helpful to our lovely patrons.
You will, of course, be added to my helper list, however, I will reiterate that I will have no "volunteers" - only fairly paid, happy helpers :-)
See you soon!
Cheers, Nicole
Reply
Good Luck! I support you all the way.
Cheers
Christina
Reply
This is really exciting and I'd love to see this happen in Victoria. I would second the inviting atmosphere, and great staff that is very welcoming to new knitters. I would love to see something that had an independent feel, with local product, classes, knitting groups. The cafe (as nessa said) is a really cool idea -- even if you couldn't pull that off yourself, it would be cool if you were located near a cafe that wanted to cooperate with you and cross-promote. Anyway, put me on your contact list for helpers. I have graphic and web design skills to offer. I keep my journal separately from livejournal, though, so email me at ellenrooney{at}shaw.ca
Reply
Unfortunately, the cafe within the store idea raises a whole slew of complicated issues, but cross-promoting with a nearby cafe is an excellent idea and duly noted in my "book".
I will most certainly add you to my helper list.
Thanks again for the input!
Cheers, Nicole
Reply
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