Not so happy to find that yarn bargain...

Ah, there's some bitter in the world today.

My "LYS" (Local Yarn Shoppe) is a little place called Cloth and Clay, right across the road from me. Upscale yarn, though not always crazy priced (some is, some is normal-priced for quality yarn, and there's always a bargain bin). They're also a little gallery gift shop, featuring Canadian artisan and crafter wares - jewelery, housewares, pottery, etc. I've shopped there for gifts and little treats since long before I picked up knitting again, as I've lived in this area a few years now, and since I DID start knitting again - well, no shop has EVERYthing you could want, but I always check there first. They've really improved their stock, variety, and organization in the last couple years, too.

Well, today it was made public that they are closing up shop. Nearly 35 years in business, 27 in Waterloo Town Square, and 14 with the current owners, but they can't keep it going any more. Town Square rent is too high, and there's no comparable venue that's more affordable.

Normally, a 50% off "lowest marked price" on yarn will have knitters slobbering, but boy, is that a bitter score for this knitter when you know it's the last you'll see of the place. I felt guilty, like I should apologize to the lovely staffer who was working the counter today (she's hangin' in there, but it's a sad time). I told her it feels a bit like fighting over the will before the funeral. The irony of such a thing is for the next month, they'll have more business than they could want all of a sudden, as everything gets picked over.

*snif*