WEBS – America’s Yarn Store
WEBS – America’s Yarn Store was founded in 1974 by Barbara Elkins and her then-partner Donna Muller in the basement of the Elkins’ home. At that time, WEBS was solely focused on teaching, weaving and renting looms. This is where WEBS actually got its name. While the term “webs” has come to mean many things over the years, Barbara chose the name because it refers to the interlocking fibers in a woven piece!
After eight years, Donna sold her share of the business to Barbara, and in 1984 WEBS moved out of Barbara’s basement and into its first storefront on Main Street in Amherst, Massachusetts, and then three years later to a larger Victorian house on Kellogg Avenue in Amherst. During these years of growth, Barbara added knitting yarns, WEBS permanent weaving lines, and hired her husband Art full-time into the business after his retirement as a professor at UMASS. They soon discovered mail order and WEBS continued to flourish.
It wasn’t long before WEBS needed a larger space! Art and Barbara discovered a large building that had been a garage for the telephone company. After some convincing that this was the perfect location, WEBS moved to its current home at 75 Service Center Road in Northampton, Massachusetts.
In the spring of 2002, Art and Barbara’s son Steve and his wife Kathy took over the day to day operations of WEBS. Steve and Kathy work hard to continue the tradition of exceptional service, superior selection, and value that Barbara and Art began with thirty-five years ago.
Kathy & Steve bring years of corporate business experience to the business and both hold MBAs. Since taking over in 2002, they have made significant changes and upgrades to technology, infrastructure and operations. They’re biggest concern in taking over the business was whether they would be able to work together without it affecting their personal life. Fortunately, they brought complimentary skill sets to the endeavor and clearly defined each others responsibilities.
Kathy learned to crochet as a child first and then knit. She found the migration from one hook to two sticks difficult and focused primarily on crochet. Her interest waned as her teen years approached and she did little in the way of crafting until shortly before 2002. Steve & Kathy can both weave.
Although the business is often most known for it’s presence on the web, their 16,000 sq ft store is a traditional LYS and a cornerstone in the community. WEBS offers upwards of 70 classes each term with a terrific team of local teachers. Kathy & Steve also ensure that their local customers are offered the chance to learn from the best of the best and invite several guest teachers from around the world to teach at WEBS as well. From knitting, crochet and weaving to spinning, tatting, kumihimo, felting and dyeing, most every fiber related craft has been taught at the store.
WEBS are also known for throwing great events. Whether it’s a meaningful Sunday afternoon partnering with a local charity or 1,200 people attending the appearance of the Yarn Harlot, Steve & Kathy see these moments as their chance to give back to their local community. From collecting cereal for the local food bank, items needed by their favorite shelter or contributing a percentage of the day’s sales to Northampton’s new Midwifery Center, being able to support programs and organizations here in the valley is something they feel is their obligation as a local business owner.
One other note about the internet; Barbara & Art began doing mail order, the old fashioned way in the mid-80’s. This has been a part of the business strategy for more than 20 years. The advent of the internet and on-line selling only enhanced what the Elkins’ were already doing.
Northampton, Massachusetts is located in the picturesque Pioneer Valley and is about a 15 minute ride from Springfield. It is a truly unique and wonderful place. Downtown (less than a two minute drive from WEBS) features loads of fantastic restaurants and stores. You’re sure to find something for everyone here! Also in Northampton is Smith College, just a short walk from WEBS. In fact, many of our customers are students, or visiting parents from Smith, or the other great area schools, like UMASS Amherst, Amherst College, and Mount Holyoke.
We are very excited about what is to come this summer and we think our customers will be too. Lovely cotton and linen blends are big for this season. There are quite a few yarns coming out that have a bit of glitz too – nothing too crazy, just that little extra touch. Organics are still prevalent as are other eco-friendly fibers. Patterns for the summer season are absolutely beautiful! From simple to complex, there is something out there for every knitter, every skill level, and every shape.
WEBS have there very own line of yarns – Valley Yarns. They source the yarns from all over the world, and create their own designs to support them. They strive to provide beautiful, quality yarns at an affordable price, and they are very proud of their line, as well they should be. Each yarn is named after a town in Western Massachusetts and they often name their designs after local points of interest or other things specific to the area and heritage.
The store is very excited about their upcoming anniversary, this year will mark 35 years in business. WEBS celebrate their anniversary every May, and it’s always a big event. Congratulations to WEBS, Steve and Kathy, and all the employees, to their huge success, and may you enjoy another 35 years in business. It’s a first rate business with a first rate staff, and I encourage all of you traveling through Massachusetts to put WEBS on your list!
