Name of business: Unwind Knitting
Address: Inside the Stitch Factory, 300 N. Las Vegas Blvd., Suite 120, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 375-3070
Email: [email protected]
Website: unwind-knitting.com
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. (I will have more evening hours as the shop grows.)
Owned by: Brenda Johannessen
In business since: 2013
Describe your business.
Unwind Knitting offers luxury yarns and knitting and crocheting classes. It’s a place to socialize, learn a new talent and unwind.
I have knit all my life, and it is something that makes me focused and allows me to forget about everything else in my day. Your body needs to be relaxed to have even stitches, and there is a definite calming effect when focusing on a pattern.
Who are your customers?
We have had a wide range of ages from both sexes.
I am also starting to work with Zappos employees as part of a monthly events calendar. Employees can sign up and join a knitting or crocheting class. I want to get more of the 20- to 30-year-olds to learn a new talent. Maybe, yarn-bomb downtown Las Vegas.
How have customers reacted to your shop?
People are intrigued. It has such a different feel for a yarn shop, from the music to the designers and models walking around. My customers like the buzz when entering yet feel relaxed and welcomed.
What is the difference between luxury yarn and regular yarn?
Quality, structure and dye. I carry cashmere, alpaca, yak down and merino wool, silk from Nepal, recycled cotton and yarns with glitter and flair.
What do you tell people who want to learn how to knit or crochet?
It’s a great talent to have and to share.
Extreme yarns, which are incredibly thick and great for beginners, have become very popular. Students use large needles with them in our beginning classes. A shawl/blanket can be made in four hours.
What’s the most important part of your job?
Customer service. It is hard knowing what my customers want, but I am striving to give them quality service and quality yarns.
What is the best part about doing business in Las Vegas?
The potential. I feel so lucky to be part of the growth of downtown Las Vegas. Maybe convincing people in suburbs the drive is worth it.
Downtown is the future of Las Vegas. It is focused on growth and arts, for locals as well as visitors.
How can Nevada improve its business climate?
Believe in the great changes happening downtown.