Newmarket’s last yarn shop is the latest business to leave its long-standing downtown location, with Unwind Yarn House set to move just north of its original shop.
Located at 476 Timothy St., at the corner of downtown Newmarket’s Main Street, Unwind Yarn House has been housing a community of crafters for two decades. Since opening in 2005, the shop has offered supplies for knitting, crocheting, embroidery and other art forms.
A need for expansion will see the craft store move to 390 Davis Dr, just a few minutes away from its original location.
The store will suspend operations on Main Street on Feb. 23 with tentative plans for a soft re-opening March 1 in the new location before a grand re-opening event on March 7.
While not far from home, current owner Karen Henderson said that the change was one that needed following a strategic planning review last year.
“We needed a new space, but more importantly, we needed more space. Our priority was accessibility and with the stairs (at the Main Street location), a bunch of people cannot come into our shop who should be able to,” she said.
“There was another yarn shop, Serenity Knits, that had closed at the end of 2024 and so we did feel like it was incumbent upon us to have proper accessibility as the only yarn store left in Newmarket — everyone should be able to park, enter and comfortably attend our drop-in socials and classes.”
With other longtime Main Street establishments such as Changes For You and Still in Style fleeing the historic downtown core due to rent increases, Henderson noted that the price per square foot at their location has become “excessive.”
A true destination store, she also is hopeful that their new location will bring new and plentiful business to the surrounding establishments on Davis Drive as it used to on Main Street.
“We have people who come from all over, who drive from Brampton, Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill to shop in our store. If people have driven for 40 minutes or so, then they likely want to go for coffee somewhere glamorous or enjoy lunch after, as well,” Henderson said.
“Being on Main Street had its benefits and leaving is bittersweet, but we did need room to grow and hopefully this will benefit Brew It Coffee Bar a few doors down from us and some of the northern Main Street restaurants, as well.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the store's grand re-opening in March, with Newmarket dignitaries set to appear amid day-long celebrations, giveaways and refreshments.
While some feelings of trepidation linger with Henderson ahead of a location change 20 years in the making, the sense of anticipation and community support from her staff and clientele leave a feeling of excitement with the shop owner, above all else.
“The team is thrilled and our customers are really pumped for (the move). While it can be a little terrifying, I would say that I am very excited.”
“I just keep telling our customers that having a level entrance, parking, and more room to grow, put on more events, classes and more is gonna be so good for us.”