Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Avila.
Janet, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I opened String Theory Yarn Company in Glen Ellyn in April 2004, having no prior retail experience. My goal was to create a knitting community that would support small groups of people trying to make the world a better place.
In 2001, I was laid off after 13 years doing training design for the accounting firm Arthur Anderson. (This was a few months before their demise.) The next day, I learned that my brother had been killed in New York. It was September 11.
I knit my way through a lot of grief and uncertainty. I realized then what so many studies have shown now, that knitting is really good for you. I decided that more people should knit.
In 2004, I opened a yarn shop with a big table where people gather and shelves stocked with inventory that reflects my values. I understand that how I spend my money impacts the world. So I use my store budget to support causes that are important to me.
We have yarn from a women’s cooperative in Uruguay. We have yarn that is hand spun by widows in Afghanistan. We have yarn that is hand dyed by moms of small children trying to manage a family and a creative endeavor. Some of our yarns go sheep to skein in the United States, with a small carbon footprint. Others, ensure sustainable farming practices in the Patagonia Grasslands of Argentina. Our yarns are made from sheep’s wool or alpaca or cotton because I’m not interested in supporting the petroleum industry.
Over the years, we’ve worked hard to encourage more people to knit. We’ve taught a lot of people to knit and crochet. We love beginners, however, we have classes for all experience levels. Something to keep everyone interested and coming back for more.
Has it been a smooth road?
Retail is always a puzzle. How do I increase traffic? How do I weather this dip in the economy? How do I compete with online sales? Why don’t my customers love this yarn as much as I do? I love figuring it out and I love that once I figure out one thing, there is something new to learn.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with String Theory Yarn Company – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
At any time during the week, you’ll find people sitting at our table chatting, getting a little help, looking for encouragement or avoiding the laundry at home. Conversations at our table across generations and among those that see the world differently are very important these days.
Our knitting community has raised over $35,000 for local charities with our Annual Scarf Market. The Scarf Market started in 2006 when knitters around our table were discussing how we might help our local homeless population. We considered making them scarves and hats but soon realized that we would have a much greater impact if we made scarves for people who have money to buy them and then donated the money to local charities who help the homeless.
Our Scarf Market is open every year from Thanksgiving through Christmas. The hours of work, attention to detail and skill on display is inspiring. Most of our scarves are made and donated by our local customers, but every year we receive boxes from all over the United States from people that just want to help.
Contact Info:
- Address: 477 N Main, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
- Website: https://www.stringtheoryyarncompany.com/
- Phone: 630-469-6085
- Email: janet@stringtheoryyarncompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stringtheoryge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stringtheoryyarn/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/stringtheories
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/string-theory-yarn-company-glen-ellyn-2
- Other: https://youtu.be/YATcSs_fe6o
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
