After 20 years and two different owners, CloseKnit Yarn Store, tucked away on Orrington Avenue, is closing. Owner Lucie Sinkler said she had to make a hard decision: “It was sad.”
Sinkler said that a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and an unsuccessful attempt to sell the business forced her to shut down CloseKnit.
She tried to make CloseKnit a virtual experience, but as a craft store, it was difficult. They did not have online shopping and indoor browsing was limited.
“The focus of the store is also helping people with their projects,” Sinkler said. “We did try to do things like a Zoom lesson, but you can’t really reach through the screen and fix somebody’s drop stitches.”
While they store won’t officially close its doors until April, Sinkler said eager shoppers should visit soon for the best selection.
Sinkler would like to thank the Evanston community for its continual support through the years.
“We have been a fixture for crafters for a long time and I am sad we were unable to continue.”