An update on craft, fabric and art stores in KWSadly, Cloth and Clay in Waterloo Square has closed. I've heard conflicting reports on why it closed, from owner retiring to it not being eclectic enough for the new Waterloo Town Square vision. That last bit makes no sense as Cloth And Clay was one of the influences that help shape the eclectic shops vision for the mall. Regardless of why, the truth is the store is now closed and we no longer have our fabulous yarn store right downtown...or rather -Uptown! The outlet in the St Jacob's market is still open, although it has a much smaller array of yarn.
Bead Bazaar is still Uptown Waterloo and still as fabulous as always. Stephanie has new beads arriving all the time and I have a difficult time not blowing my entire bead budget while there. Not far from there is "State of The Art Supplies" a wonderful name for a store with an ever changing selection of specialty art supplies. They have special papers, primed and unprimed canvas gold and silver leafing, and they have silk screen supplies -including kits-for anyone who want to silk screen their own textiles and t-shirts. On Caroline Street is The Artstore, another art supply shop. They carry supplies for graphic artists and have a wide selection of special art papers. Michael's is as great for arts and crafts as ever and carries everything from yarns to fine art supplies to beads to you-name it! Lens...what can I say about Len's? When we were looking for a house one requirement was that it had to be within walking distance to Len's!
There is still some good news for knitters, however. There is a new specialty yarn store in New Hamburg, just outside K-W, owned and operated by someone who used to work at Cloth and Clay. They sell many of the same fancy yarns as Cloth and Clay. it's Called "Shall We Knit" and it's quite nice! Her's the stores web site:
http://www.shallweknit.com/ They offer lessons and seminars, in addition to many wonderful yarns.
In additional crafty KW news, KW Sewing Machines has moved out of their cramped quarters in Conestoga Mall to a new, larger location in the Fredrick Street Mall. Steve, (the best sewing machine mechanic anywhere) Sonia and company are all available to help with purchasing that perfect sewing machine to keeping you machines in top running order. They also carry sewing machine accessories, needles, threads, notions, and more. They are the local dealers for Singer and Janome. The store is opening april 2. They are hoping to offer more sewing lessons in the future, once they settle into their new location. If you are in Frederick Street Mall, do check out "The Colours of Art" formerly Racca's Art Supply. They have an extensive selection of Windsor and Newton art supplies, and they also carry a selection of specialty stitchery threads for needlepoint and cross stitcher's.
The Kitchener Textiles store on Strange Street has closed after many years. Constant road closures and construction in the area made it difficult for customers to get to the store, which led to a drop in business, which led to the closing.
On Victoria Street is a tore called Herrschner's. It's main business is mail and internet sales of pre-packaged kits with the retail outlet in Kitchener. It carries craft supplies, yarns and beads. I have not been there is a few years, but it's still open for business. Here's their website:
http://www.herrschners.ca/retailstore.aspxOut Weber Street East in Kitchener is Fabricland, which we should all know about.
Across Weber is creative Sewing Center, the local Husqvarna dealer. They also carry specialty threads, specialty fabrics, and sewing machine supplies, feet, needles and sewing notions. Very nice store, although getting sales help can be a bit frustrating at times! They also repair sewing machines. Here's their website:
http://www.creativesewingcentre.com/ And not far from both, at Fairview Mall is Wal-Mart. When the store was renovated they expanded the fabrics and crafts section. There are fabrics, yarns, beads, and assorted other crafty things for the budget crafter..
And that's the updated list of crafty places for KW crafters. If I find anything new, different, or tucked in an out of the way corner of the city I'll be sure to post again.
