Dear Friends~
It is with heavy hearts that we write to let you know that we have decided to close Michigan Fibre Studio. This decision didn’t come easy to us. We love being your local (or not so local) yarn store. We have met so many great people, have witnessed such amazing talent and creativity. It has been an honor to be able to have you gather at our table to learn and to have you join us on our couches to create! But we feel that the time has come to start a new chapter in our lives.
The big question ~ is this Covid related? The answer is, somewhat, yes. We have tried to keep our momentum going throughout the past year with virtual meetings and trunk shows, by putting our shop on our Facebook page for shopping, and hosting knit alongs. But truthfully, one of the main reasons that we started a brick & mortar shop was to create a space where a fibre community could thrive and grow. This year has been a struggle to maintain that dream. Everything from our Fibre Balls & our trunk shows, to our classes & open knitting sessions brings a great creative energy into our shop. And now without these and our other events, we are feeling the absence of that energy.
Also, because many businesses are hurting financially in the craft industry, they are looking at different ways to keep themselves engaged and sustained. This has caused a shift in our relationships with our vendors. We have been witnessing manufacturers turning to selling their products online directly to the public or through large internet based stores. Some cannot get their product made and others struggle to get it out of their country of production and into ours. Some of our staple yarns that we have built our shop around have been discontinued or their vast color selection has been pared down. And while we understand that they need to do what they need to do in order to keep their business going, it makes it difficult to keep our shelves stocked with the yarns that you love and want.
There are other reasons; some small (like the huge amount of construction every year, and the dwindling amount of parking), and some large (wanting to spend more time with our husbands and families), and all of them telling us that now is the time to make a change.
So, what are our plans from here? We will keep the brick & mortar open until mid-March. If there is stock left, we will then move everything remaining to online sales through our Facebook page. Starting Tuesday, we will begin our closing sale. You will find discounts on everything and we will be selling some of the furniture and display items. You can find all of the information about sales and more on our website here. And if you have any questions, please feel free to email us using the link below.
Again, we want to thank everyone ~ our customers, our teachers, the many dyers and makers who trusted us with promoting and selling their creations. Thanks to our vendors and reps who have worked with us and for us. All of you amazing and creative people have made this an experience of a lifetime. Michigan Fibre Studio wouldn’t have become as magnificent as it has without you!
It has been our honor,
Heather & Michelle
