Sunday, June 30, 2013

I'm Kind Of Sad



I'm really kind of sad right now.  The LNS that I have worked in for the last 8 1/2 years has closed it's doors.  Yesterday was our last day for sales.  Next week we're taking inventory and then that's it.  Needler's Nest will be no more.  The really sad thing for me is that this is the first time in 18 years that I've left a job with no prospects of another.  I've worked for LNS's for the past 18 1/2 years.  When one store closed, I went to work for another.  I worked for Countless Stitches for 3 years and when Katie sold the store, I went to work for Barb, the new owner.  I worked for her for another 7 years and when she closed the store, I was asked to come to work for Needler's Nest.  Now 8 1/2 years later, Needler's Nest has closed.  It's been a fun, wild ride but all good things must come to an end.  I loved having first hand knowledge of all the new products coming out.  I learned so much about this craft that we all love so much.  I learned what I would or would not do if I had my own store (which let's face it, will never happen).  I lived my childhood dream of owning my own store.  Okay, I didn't own it but it working there was the next best thing.

I am convinced that it is almost impossible to open a LNS and have it be a success.  I truly believe it's almost impossible to make a living owning a LNS.  Yes, there are a few stores making it but I believe most small LNS will have a very rough go of it.  I do believe that the stores that make it are going to be the ones with a large Internet presence.  We're all familiar with Silver Needle, Stitches, N Things, Cross Stitch 123, The Attic and Elegant Stitch.  Why?  Because they rely very heavily on the Internet.  Of course, they have good service and lots of stuff that make our hearts go crazy.  But I really believe what helps them thrive is the Internet.  Nothing wrong with that but it does make it hard for the smaller shops to compete.  So I think the wave of the future is a number of what I will call mega-LNS's with some smaller ones scattered around.

So I'll get off my soapbox now.  It's been a great 18 1/2 years and now I'm on to my next adventure.