Building a Yarn Store

Thank you so much for all the kind comments and e-mails about the store's new home!  Your excitement is infectious.  This is a big step for me, and there's some trepidation about entering into new territory.  But you all are so positive and encouraging that it reinforces my commitment to this change.  I'll not only be able to provide you all with an even larger selection of sock yarn and accessories, but this gives me a chance to connect with many of you in person.

Today is Day Two of demo.  Yesterday, Strebig Construction started demo on the project and by late afternoon, had already filled two dumpsters with construction debris.  The construction company is a well-respected fixture in Fort Wayne, and I feel fortunate to be working with them.  If you'd like to see their Facebook page, which features pictures of this project, please take a look and leave comments if you'd like to show your support.

Today, James and I carefully made our way into the building to check out the progress, and it's thrilling what a half dozen professionals can get accomplished in 10 hours of work.  This is the view from the front door, just a day before demo: the whole building was broken up into cave-like office space, with a second floor loft cutting off the view of the 14 foot ceilings.

 

And then last night, Joe and I stopped by to take a look at what had been accomplished.  This is the same view.  Woah, what a difference.  And all these walls are coming down by tomorrow.

 

Only one day into the demo and we've discovered five different floors throughout (one terrazzo from the original post office- beautiful but likely not salvageable), wall tile (that's from the original post office that we are hell bent on keeping, at least in part), plaster, drywall, some kind of fiber board, pegboard and CEDAR SHAKE.  Seriously? Cedar shake on the wall?  I mean, take a look at that and tell me what someone was thinking with that one.  Covering up the original terrazzo with office carpet is bad, but cedar shake in this building is just plain mind boggling.  I feel like we're just taking off layer after layer to get to the center of a tootsie pop.

We have discovered some cool things though.  An old enamle mop sink, some milk glass globes that we hope to reuse, and that the plaster ceiling is likely in good enough condition to keep instead of cover with ceiling tiles.  But the best thing, to me, is open space.  Possibility.  The idea of filling this enormous space with sock yarn is intoxicating, isn't it?

Comments

[mary]

Its so incredibly exciting to think of your shop getting a home in a restored building. Two good things. It will probably become a tourist attraction for knitters!

[Jennifer]

How very exciting! I'm so happy for you. I love the demo part of renovating. It's fun and like you said - full of possibilities!

[Kathy]

It's going to be great! And I couldn't believe I recognized the building-- we moved away from Fort Wayne in 1989. I know it will be a wonderful area for your store.

[Judy]

This is going to be such fun to watch the progression pix. Save everything you can as one never knows when and where it can be used. It took me a bit, but finally decided what neighborhood and what building that had to be - and the link today proved it - great to be right once in a blue moon!

[Melissa Cherney]

I keep forgetting how close you are (I'm in Toledo) and would absolutely love to road trip out there once the store is up and running! Best of luck to you!

[Vickie]

Allison - is your building considered a historical building?

[Jeanne]

I used to live on Crescent, and walk to the library branch - Abby Brown's Chocolate - and the bakery when it was the Scott.

It will be so exciting to see the progress, and to know that I live close enough to come visit the store! And see all your wonderful yarn in person

[Donna]

Possibility is the most exciting word in the English language. That part with the cedar shake shingles reminds me of the building that previously housed Have Ewe Any Wool? In Elmhurst Illinois. Too bad you won't be able to save the terrazzo but maybe you'll luck out with the milk glass globes. It will be exciting to see. I'll have to check out the contractor"s FB page.

[[email protected]]

This is so exciting to see. Please continue to update. It's so exciting, I'm tempted to drive down and see the place myself. You must invite all of us to your open house. Wow! Thank you for sharing.

[Brandi]

I know from experience that demo and refitting a building can be interesting. I had similar trials when buying my 100+year old house. Some interesting design elements:)

[Anne fiorenza]

Congratulations and good luck! I am trying to imagine my husband's reaction when I tell him we are planning to hit Fort Wayne on vacation next year!

[Renee']

Good Luck Allison....I'm sure you will be great at whatever you put your mind to! Can't wait to see the finished shop...

[April]

You won't have time now, but please save all pictures and sometime start a scrapbook of the building changes so customers can see what was and what is now your shop...it will be a huge keepsake! Maybe you have a friend who scrapbooks and would do it as a shop warming present? :)

[Anne Marie]

WOW! Your photos give me flash backs to the set up of my husband's business six years ago. We gutted and old (not really - 1960s) brick insurance building and turned it into a dental office. Definitely not as exciting as a yarn shop, but it pays for the yarn!

[nat]

Wow fort wayne will soon have 3 yarn stores! Are you worried you will have a hard time breaking into the market?

[Adell Lovett]

I've been trying to get our newly closed on house painted (the inside anyway) and it is slow going by myself. I can't get over how much they have gotten done already. Do you lend them out? lol. JK.