Business owners team up for downtown store
Kandi Petersen, left, and Denise Mulder, right, recently combined their two stores Kandi's Yarn Closet and Craft Creations into one store. They opened in downtown Moses Lake earlier this week.
MOSES LAKE - For months, Kandi's Yarn Closet and Craft Creations did business right across the hall from each other.
It was a convenient set up, Kandi's Yarn Closet owner Kandi Petersen said.
Petersen said she sold some of her yarn to Craft Creations owner Denise Mulder and even had some of her finished projects on display at the store.
They would also occasionally watch each other's stores if one of them needed to run a last-minute errand or wanted to take a break, she said.
Things are a lot more convenient now, because the two stores are now located in the same space.
Petersen and Mulder recently acquired a space in downtown Moses Lake and opened their new store on Monday.
"It just made sense," Petersen said. "Our stores compliment each other."
Petersen has yarn, needles and other materials for various knitting or crocheting projects in stock. She also offers various classes for people interested in knitting or crocheting.
Craft Creations carries handmade items from about 13 different artists, Mulder said. Most of the artists got their start selling at the Moses Lake Farmer's Market, she said.
Customers can find items such as crocheted blankets, sweaters and other clothing items; beaded items and other gifts and crafts.
Mulder said people can also custom order items from any of the artists.
She said so far, they are enjoying their new location. The store is seeing a lot more foot traffic compared to their previous location.
"Just in these three days we've been open we've gotten a lot of people," Mulder said. "About the same amount of people in three days as the last few weeks over there."
Petersen said attracting more customers was also a reason they decided to move locations.
The pair is celebrating their grand re-opening this Friday. They will be providing a few gift baskets throughout the day and will have refreshments as well, Petersen said.
People can also sign up that day for their monthly newsletter, which will have special coupons for customers, she said.
The store, located at 216 W. Third Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.