LAVALE — When store manager Stephanie Nelson and assistant manager Kayla Kile of Joann Fabric and Crafts learned in January that the store was closing, they knew they had to do something.
The craft retailer was the only major fabric and craft store in the area, and without it, they knew local crafters would have to drive far or pay shipping fees to buy the supplies to continue doing what they love and what brings in income for some.
“You have to go to Altoona, Hagers- town, Hobby Lobby and Michaels, and they don’t have the fabric that Joann did, not even close,” local crafter Judy Whitacre said. “Anybody has to drive for hours to get to a crafter fabric store now, and it stinks.”
Knowing this and having years of experience and memories with their customers at Joann, they decided to open The Craft Room LLC, a new craft store of their own in the same place as the former store with more or less the same offerings.
“We just wanted people to have somewhere to go because there’s nothing,” Nelson said.
They split up the work with Kile focused on marketing and Nelson overseeing the business side of things.
“Together, we made one person who could do it all,” Kile said.
They spent the next few months working toward buying the store and gathering supplies to officially open to customers Tuesday in the LaVale Plaza.
“We are so happy to see all of our regular customers coming back,” Nelson said.
“It’s amazing.”
Longtime customer Carolyn Shoemake said she was excited to hear about the new store.
“This is what keeps me going,” Shoemake said. “If I’m not reading I’m at my sewing machine. They have my vote to go ahead and jump in full force.”
Nelson and Kile are excited to run their own craft store, they said.
“We already know what we’re doing,” Kile said. “We’ll keep doing it, and now we don’t have to listen to a corporate making rules that don’t make sense for our area.”
The new store will more easily meet customer requests for certain supplies and avoid stocking unpopular items they were required to offer before, she said.
“Even if it’s like a niche thing, we can still work with people and get the products in so that they can order small business instead of Amazon, if they want to,” Kile said.
The co-owners described the store as “openish” as there are still supplies to be shipped and the back half of the store needs to be renovated.
“We created some beautiful chaos here,” Nelson said.
They aim to have their grand opening around August, Nelson said.
“The stuff we have out now is just the bare minimum,” Kile said. “Every section is going to be expanded greatly.”
The store sells classic craft supplies one would expect such as yarn, fabric, beads and more, but the two owners have decided to display and sell the work of local crafters at the front of the store as well.
“I think it’s supporting the community and getting people what they need.” said Whitacre, who is selling her own crafts in the store. “I hope it takes off. I hope people come.”
Displaying local artists is a testament to the skills of the community, Shoemake said.
“This is great to showcase what people in the area can do,” Shoemake said.
In the future, the owners plan to host classes and sell kits for different skill levels of crocheting, knitting, sewing and more to attract all types of people and build community.
“We’ve got dudes with tattoos crocheting and little old ladies crocheting,” Kile said.
“They can all get along and have something in common, and that’s what I like the most about crafts.”