When Joe and I first started dating in college, I brought him to my hometown for a friend's wedding. I showed him around my city and we took a walk in one of my favorite neighborhoods, one that's densely populated, has loads of character, and libraries/coffee shops/butcher/bakeries/schools all within a short walk. We walked down the street and said how cool it would be if we lived here one day.
We certainly didn't expect it to happen. You say things like that all the time, "wouldn't it be cool if..." and "what would it be like..." When we did settle down and buy a home, it was a small one in that same neighborhood. It was where I first started the store, before it outgrew our small space. Before we had a child and amassed the brightly colored accoutrement. Then we moved out to the country, to a home and barn large enough to accommodate our growing family and business.
There was a particular building in that neighborhood that was always my favorite. I had this image in my head that if I ever owned business, that building would be perfect. Beautiful brick. Arched windows. Opportunity. My evening walks took me past that property, and allowed me to fantasize about the possibility.
What does it take to turn possibility into reality? A magical combination of sock yarn, loyal knitters, and tenacity? Can I bring you with me on this adventure in restoring a dream? I hope you'll join me, because demo starts Tuesday.
Congratulations!! What a great building. Will there be a brick and mortar shop?
Posted by: CyndyC | May 16, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Oh my gosh! Congratulations Allison! I'm so happy for you.
Posted by: Vickie | May 16, 2011 at 01:42 PM
Yes, we will have showroom hours. I'm so excited!
Posted by: Allison | May 16, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Yaaaaaay! I'm so excited for you! (and for me, and other local-ish knitters who can pop by!)
Posted by: deetyblue | May 16, 2011 at 02:10 PM
How exciting! Congrats!
Posted by: Susan C. | May 16, 2011 at 02:25 PM
OMG! This is so wonderful! Congratulations! You really deserve all this success!
Posted by: Nancy | May 16, 2011 at 02:29 PM
I'm so happy for you! Congratulations, I hope it's everything you dreamed it would be.
Posted by: Carole | May 16, 2011 at 02:32 PM
Wow congrats- Looks like the Norhtside neighborhood.
Posted by: Jan | May 16, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Congratulations! I hope it is all you have dreamed it to be.
Posted by: Kathleen B. | May 16, 2011 at 02:41 PM
That is so awesome and I am so happy for you!! Can't wait to watch the progress as it happens!
Posted by: p-la | May 16, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Congratulations Allison! Dreams can and do come true.
Posted by: Patricia Richardson | May 16, 2011 at 02:54 PM
This will be so awesome! Wish I lived close enough to come shopping in person.
Dreams do come true!
Posted by: Bobbi | May 16, 2011 at 03:02 PM
What wonderful news! I hope you blog the details!
Posted by: Dawn | May 16, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Congratulations! That's awesome! It'll be fantastic!
Posted by: Christine | May 16, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Where will your store be located??? That is fantastic, and looks like a great space!!!
Posted by: Erin | May 16, 2011 at 03:07 PM
I'll definitely be posting progress as it happens. Right now, we don't know how quickly or slowly that will happen, because we don't know what we're going to discover under decades of finishes.
Posted by: Allison | May 16, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Congratulations! What a neat old building.
Posted by: Barbara C | May 16, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Congrats and good luck!!!!!
Posted by: Shanawernow | May 16, 2011 at 03:51 PM
Congratulations! I will be in Ft. Wayne for a Tincaps game in August.........maybe I can stop by.
Posted by: Donna | May 16, 2011 at 03:55 PM
I'll come work for you!
Posted by: Allise | May 16, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Allise, I think yu'd come out in the red with the 10 hour drive! HA!
Posted by: Allison | May 16, 2011 at 05:17 PM
That's great news! I'm very happy for you and your family! Wonderful looking building!
You'll have to takes pictures, when you are finished remodeling. So everyone can see it!
Posted by: Brenda | May 16, 2011 at 05:19 PM
How exciting!! Looks like a wonderful building to start with.
Posted by: Lesa M | May 16, 2011 at 05:51 PM
Congratulations on your bricks and mortar!
Posted by: Sharilyn | May 16, 2011 at 06:47 PM
Thanks for sharing your dream come true! Good luck!
Posted by: Anne | May 16, 2011 at 07:18 PM
Very exciting! I look forward to visiting - and meeting - you on one of my visits back to my home state. Congratulations!
Posted by: Susan | May 16, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Really happy for you Allison. Congratulations - I will look forward to progress reports. Looks like a really cool building.
Posted by: Wendy | May 16, 2011 at 08:21 PM
OMG!!!! That is fantastic!!!
Posted by: Lynn | May 16, 2011 at 08:38 PM
Oh, how cool! Congratulations Allison, I'm so happy for you!!
Posted by: Janice | May 16, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Very exciting!!! Is it in Fort Wayne? (I am already trying to calculate the distance & how long it would tsk to get there)
Posted by: Donna | May 17, 2011 at 12:14 AM
Oh, Allison, how very exciting!! You must be thrilled!!!
Posted by: Deirdre | May 17, 2011 at 06:28 AM
Such wonderful news! I'm excited for you!
Posted by: Candi | May 17, 2011 at 08:21 AM
Congrats Allison!!! It's so wonderful to fulfill a dream!!! If I'm ever out in your area I'll definitely stop by. My husband has been wanting to go to Bloomington for awhile- maybe we can work this into a trip when you get it up and running :D
Posted by: Marylu | May 17, 2011 at 12:19 PM
This is just fabulous! Congratulations. I bet you have already figured out what to do with the extra space at home. I am so happy for you.
Posted by: Kim B. | May 17, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Congratulations Allison! Hopefully you will be able to leave "work" in your new building and devote your home to a private and serene space. Just the act of driving to another location does give a great sense of separation--I speak from experience. Good luck hope all the demolition and renovation goes well. susan foulds
Posted by: susanfoulds | May 17, 2011 at 01:44 PM
This is fabulous news! I'd totally come work for you! (Seriously, only 45 minutes away, it would be awesome)
Posted by: Rachael | May 17, 2011 at 01:57 PM
Looking forward to following the process here. Good luck with everything. It's very exciting. :-)
Posted by: Amy Samin | May 17, 2011 at 02:57 PM
All I keep thinking is "ROAD TRIP!!!!" :)
Okay, really I also thought "congratulations!" How wonderful this journey will be for you and your family. Best of luck with your newest adventure!
Posted by: April | May 17, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Congratulations! Sorry I don't live closer.
Posted by: Jennifer Page | May 18, 2011 at 09:00 AM
Congratulations Allison, I so excited for you! I will keep you in my prayers during this new journey in your life. Hopefully one day I will get there.
Posted by: Julie | May 18, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Oh! Forgot to ask....can we PLEASE have an Indiana Sock Summit in Fort Wayne when the store opens? :)
Posted by: April | May 18, 2011 at 12:51 PM
OMG, that's quite an idea! Really the Sock Summit is all up to Tina and Stephanie. But you never know, we could do a fun get-together!
Posted by: Allison | May 18, 2011 at 01:34 PM
I LOVE the red door and window frames! Congratulations!
Posted by: Kathy Sue | May 24, 2011 at 01:47 PM
Wow! Look at all I have missed with the computer down!Where in Ft.Wayne is this old post office? I don't recognize it! Congratulations!
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 04, 2011 at 06:25 PM
Congratulations, Allison! I'm soooooo happy for you!!!
Posted by: Mary | June 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Thanks all!
The store is located at 1315 East State Blvd. in Fort Wayne, IN. While the main focus will still be shipping orders all over the world, I will have showroom hours once a week. These hours will be post on the store's homepage at www.simplysockyarn.com
Posted by: Allison | July 12, 2011 at 08:15 AM