What's New

What’s New in the Neighborhood?

Fall/Winter 2009

Howdy, Neighbors!

Well, here we are – it’s the end of summer and the kids are back in school.  I’m still trying to figure out where the months of June, July and August have gone (“Come back! Come back!”), particularly, with the unseasonably cool weather we had over the summer here in southeastern Michigan .  My family escaped for a brief getaway to Toronto , Ontario and the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York .  I hope your family enjoyed some time together over the summer too, whether away or at home.

The last time I wrote you, back in April, Brenda Geiger and Robin Shader had just decided to sell the store and I was writing you as the new owner.  A lot has changed since then!  If you are a regular shopper with us, you may already be aware, but if you’re not, let me bring you up to date.

First, I was offered a really meaningful job just after closing on the store purchase.  I talked with Brenda during my deliberations, asking her if she knew anyone who would be interested in managing the store’s operations if I decided to go back to my professional roots in non-profit management and community development.  “Well, I would!”, she quickly replied.  And thus, our work together began on an ongoing basis. 

Next, we needed to find additional helping hands.  Diane Gauthier and Carolyn Lynett, who had been teachers with the store, voiced just as much eagerness as Brenda in staffing the store, and we were so pleased that they would bring their talents more fully to our community.  Then, we needed to find someone to help me support our crochet curriculum, and Teri Reed, came forward to assist!  (By the way, Teri and I both enjoy knitting quite a lot too!)  So, there you have it, “Team Neighborhood” came together!

We have a number of exciting things in store for you this fall.  First, we’re running a number of free events to celebrate our connection as neighbors in the yarn and craft community.  You’ll be able to find regular updates on these events  at our Ravelry site (www.ravelry.com/groups/neighborhood-knits) and on www.facebook.com at Neighborhood Knits.  This fall, our events will include a Sock Hop on Friday, September 18, a “Yarn Crawl,” benefiting a local women’s shelter on October 24-25, and our Charity Knitting Kick-off in November. 

Second, we’re going to be going live with our point of sale system, which will allow us to re-introduce a customer rewards program.  Look for details on Ravelry and Facebook in late September. 

Your neighbors here in the shop put on our thinking caps and did our best to come up with not only the basics of knitting, crocheting and needle felting, but also the technique and project classes that you’ve come to expect from us.  Remember to check out the class schedule and give us your feedback on other classes you would like us to bring to the Neighborhood.  So far this fall, your ideas have included a sock workshop with comparative technique suggestions, and a felted bag workshop – thanks, and look for those in the Winter schedule, which will come out after the December holidays.

Thank you, Neighbors, for all of your support and outreach during our transition.  It is our absolute pleasure and delight to be part of your community!  We will continue to look for new ways to inspire you, share your project successes, help you with the projects that aren’t going the way that you wished, and to be, well, your Neighbors!

See you soon,

Sandy, Brenda, Diane, Carolyn and Teri