Where Have All the Yarn Shops Gone? A Knitter’s Dilemma

I recently looked for knitting needles and yarn, and let me tell you, it felt like I was hunting for unicorns in a mystical realm. Seriously, what happened to all the yarn shops? I am currently in Germany and couldn’t find a yarn shop in the area where I was vacationing.
I recall a time when yarn stores were as ubiquitous as coffee shops, filled with wool and a wide array of accessories. Now, it seems like they’re a rare breed, almost like finding a needle in a haystack, except without the satisfying rewards. Instead of dozens of yarn skeins, I stumbled upon plastic needles and mediocre crochet yarns at the local grocery store. I mean, what’s the deal?
In my hometown of Covina, neighboring cities like West Covina, Glendora, and Duarte share a similar picture. Over the past decade, long before the COVID-19 pandemic, All About Yarn in Azusa closed its doors. Knit Witz and the Purlsite have also vanished into thin air. The little yarn shop on Foothill in Glendora also closed. In Los Angeles, where you’d expect an abundance of yarn shops, the same sad picture. Susan Mischer, the author of knitting books, opened her own yarn shop, Knit Cafe, in Los Angeles many years ago. In 2023, she also closed her shop. Her shop had focused on providing a space where people could gather, learn, and share their love for knitting. I loved going to her place, sitting around, talking, knitting, and enjoying a cup of coffee and a fancy pastry. But what I enjoyed most was the camaraderie amongst the knitters and the friendships made
There are just a handful left! Why? Why are our beloved yarn havens disappearing?
Assumingly, the reality of the yarn shop situation, just like other small businesses, is a mix of trends shifting toward online shopping (thank, the internet), rising costs for small businesses, and, let’s face it, the appeal of using the internet, with a click of a button you purchase everything, faster, and even often cheaper. It’s just far too easy to click “buy” on an online store instead of browsing the aisles of your local shop. But this easy “click” leaves a concerning pain in our crafty hearts.
When I finally come across those plastic knitting needles, it feels like a betrayal. Just because I’m at a grocery store doesn’t mean I’m going to settle for subpar supplies! I want yarn that feels like a hug, not something that makes me question my life choices. During my search, I’ve also discovered that many local knitting groups are thriving and growing.
In the meantime, if anyone knows where I can score some high-quality yarn that doesn’t come in a box with a smiley face on it, please let me know. I’m all ears, and stitches!

A Frustrated But Hopeful Knitter