Big news!
Today I will sit in a room with a bunch of lawyers and sign a LOT of documents. Today I accomplish a dream – fibre space™ finally has a permanent home! We have purchased 1319 Prince Street. It is a historic flatiron building (the only known historic flatiron in the city) and sits at the corner of Commerce Street, Prince Street and West Street. Located just 1.5 blocks from our current location, it won’t be too far of a move for us but will give us the quiet side street that we once had in our first location. And it is closer to the metro, Whole Foods and lots of parking.
The new building is flooded in natural light from large windows that appear every 7 feet on both sides of the space from the front door to the back. With one big open space rather than several rooms, we hope to be able to create a more exciting atmosphere while also being able to better provide customer service, no matter what yarn gauge area you are in. We are creating a fun children’s play area so that you can shop while your children play. We will also have an expanded help bar and better set up for our electric ball winders. The sofas in our lounge will go back to being across from one another, as you all like it. And if there isn’t enough space there, we have a second floor!
A huge wide staircase leads to the second floor, where we will have great additional community space for large groups, busy nights in our lounge, movies, yarn tastings and more. The new spot also features two private classrooms so that you can have complete concentration during your class time. Did I mention that we will have two freshly tiled bathrooms?
For me, this building will come at a lower cost per month for the business and the long term stability of owning our property. I’m excited to be investing in Old Town and this community that I have come to be an active member of. As part of that commitment to the community, fibre space™ will be partnering with the city to “adopt” the public space in front of our new building. We seek to create a small community gathering spot for all of you and those who live and work in our neighborhood. We will replace the trees that have died, add planters and also install unique seating. This outdoor space will be a nice bonus to the new spot and provide you with more space to gather.
So when is this all happening?
We took possession of the building today and are starting what will be a 6-8 week process of renovation. The building needs all new windows (historically appropriate windows!), doors, paint, new ceilings, lighting and more. We are also having our shelving and cash wrap custom built and are working with a wonderful designer to make it all happen. This will all take the rest of the summer, and I will be sure to post lots of fun photos on social media and here as it unfolds. I am hoping that we will move at the end of August or early September. We will have a wonderful moving sale, of course!
So hang in there as we move yet again. I promise this will be the last one and is for the better. I am so so grateful for your support for the last 8 years. This community has helped make fibre space™ what it is. I can’t wait to reveal to you our new community home. See you soon.
