Time for a new Chapter

       On May 21, 2021 Have a Yarn entered into it's 22nd year of business.  It began by offering a small collection of yarns and notions for sale in a tiny room off a restaurant in Bridgewater and has grown every year since then.  In October of 2002 we moved to Main Street Mahone Bay, renting a quaint little building next door to it's present location.  Moving to Mahone Bay opened up an entirely new world for us!  Mahone Bay is not only a tourist destination but it is a town favoured by many people  year round as an intriguing and enjoyable place to visit and live.   The eclectic mix of shops, scenery and variety of restaurants make it a pleasant place to wile away a day or weekend.  And the festivals!  Over the years we have had Wooden Boat, Pirate, Scarecrow and Father Christmas Festivals, all of which draw enormous crowds.  The town's spirit for volunteering countless hours to run these festivals is astounding and the merchants benefit greatly from the eager crowds. 

     Now, in 2021 it is time for Have a Yarn to open a new chapter in it's history.  I have made the difficult decision to retire and offer the store for sale.  My vision is not to see the store close but to  hand it over to someone who has the enthusiasm to grow it into the next level of it's existence.  As I will soon be 65 it seems like the right time to offer this opportunity to someone else.  It is a bitter sweet decision however.  Over the years I have made many friends through the store.  I have met people who other wise I never would have know, shared their joys and their sorrows, loss of spouses and even children and the loss of 2 very dear friends who also worked with me in the store.

I think that one of the highlights will always be our informal gatherings for knitting afternoons.  We have probably made (and drank) many many gallons of tea and laughed a great deal as well.  I am so touched that many of my fellow knitters will just drop by for an afternoon to knit and share the company of other enthusiasts, be they beginners or experts.

I cannot begin to   relate the lessons I have learned - life lessons as well as knitting skills.  We have hosted many classes and special knitting days, our Knit in Public days in June being one of the highlights.   Although I do not live in Mahone Bay I feel a part of the town, mainly due to the warmth and generosity of the folks who do live here.  Our Bank of Montreal is unlike any other you will find, customer service that goes above and beyond, a bank where you take your dog in with you and she gets treats and belly scratches!  The Post Office is every bit as friendly and I will miss all of these folks that I have come to know so well.

My dream for Have a Yarn is that someone who is enthusiastic and passionate about knitting, crocheting and fibre arts in general will come along and carry on our tradition of "Fine Yarn, Friendly Help" that has been our motto for all these years. 

-  Heather