The Yardgoods Center: a “tight-knit” community

The Yardgoods Center is not just a yarn and fabric shop, it’s a “tight-knit” community. This craft store has been family-owned for 71 years, and current owner, Joyce Vlodek Atkins, would not trade her job for anything. 

“I love what I do. My brother runs the fabric side, and I run the yarn and craft side,” Atkins said in an interview with The Colby Echo. “I do my best to keep the doors open; there’s over thirty yarn shops in Maine. It’s tough surviving, but this is my life and what I love to do.”

Atkins does not treat her business like work and always makes an effort to greet those who pass through the door. 

“Everyday is like opening up a Christmas present. You know, I’m not your normal store,” Atkins said. “I try to make sure that I know everyone’s name when they come into the store and I like to take pictures of them with what they’ve bought. By doing that, I can remember who they are.”

Not only does Atkins welcome everyone with open arms, but she also hosts classes for her customers to converse and interact with one another. 

“It’s six dollars for two and a half hours. It doesn’t get better than that, to have bonding and a comradery. It’s cheap therapy,” Atkins remarked. 

Although the Yardgoods Center employees were not considered “essential” during the COVID-19 pandemic, they provided entertainment for many during quarantine. 

“Without a hobby or something for people to do at home, that would’ve been really scary,” Atkins explained. 

While the store has recently faced many other challenges, Atkins has gone above and beyond to maintain her business. During a local disaster, she worked full-time for six months without any help. 

“We had a water main break on February 11th, near the Waterville Public Library, which was a mess. At the same place, on April 23rd, we had two feet of water in my store,” Atkins said.

In spite of the recent obstacles, Atkins is grateful for her customers and values each of them the same.

“Oh, the people that come into my store. I don’t see bored people and I don’t see boring people,” she said. “My dad always told me it’s the person that spends 25 cents on a spool of thread that keeps your doors open. Nobody is better than anybody else.”

A visit to the Yardgoods Center is an invaluable experience, and you will always leave with more than just the yarn you came in for.

“You know, somebody can go to the chain store and they can buy it for a lot less than they can buy it from me because I don’t get that price break,” Atkins expressed. “But, I’ll give them a free knitting pattern. I’ll give them a little ruler. I’ll give them a nail file. We’ll give them a word hunt for the chance to win a 50 dollar gift certificate. So, it’s just a fun place,” Atkins said.

The Yardgoods Center employees are very knowledgeable and are willing to help customers in any way they need. 

“If you buy something and don’t know how to do it, I have a phenomenal staff that’s gonna get you out of your pickle,” said Atkins. 

Two staff workers teach a Jan Plan knitting course at the College. 

“Leslie Fowler and Cate Ashton (`80) teach Sheep to Shawl where they go to the farm and the kids spin their own yarn, then they get to knit their own yarn,” Atkins noted. “We’re very fortunate to have Colby students be knitters and crocheters.” 

Knitting is a great activity for college students to get into. This creative outlet allows time to decompress after a long week, and with the help of the Yardgoods Center, anyone can learn how.

“Knitting is one of those things you have for a lifetime. You can take it wherever you go. You can make somebody a hat. You can make somebody mittens,” Atkins said. “It’s something you can pass along and do with your friends in the dorm room. It’s just a neat thing.”

One Colby student, Marina Takagi `21, can attest to this.

“I really enjoy knitting,” Takagi said. “I find it really relaxing. I went to Yardgoods to pick up some new knitting needles and they were so kind. They helped me find new knitting needles and talked to me about knitting as I shopped. It was a really great experience!”

So next time you need a break, feel free to stop by the Yardgoods Center! Even if you leave empty handed, you will be welcomed in by the Atkins family and invited to participate in classes.

~ Jenna Boling `24