MENU
Portrait of Gretchen
by: Gretchen

What a year… Halcyon Yarn Operations & Schedule Update

The world feels much more hopeful than it did a year ago! It’s amazing how much has changed and how significantly our lives and expectations have shifted. I hope things are looking brighter for you these days, and that you are feeling healthy and creative (and staying cool!) as we roll through summer.

Here’s how we’re operating now…

CLOSED TO IN-PERSON SHOPPING

We deeply miss seeing our local regulars and summer visitors. Now that public safety continues to improve, especially here in Maine, we know many of you are eager to resume in-person shopping. However, Halcyon Yarn is not resuming in-person shopping for the foreseeable future. We’ve got exciting plans in the works for when we do resume the in-person experience and we’ll be reevaluating the schedule again later in the fall. Please stay tuned!
Especially in this business we appreciate the importance of seeing and touching things “in real life,” as well as the camaraderie of sharing space with your fellow fiber enthusiasts. Closing to in-person shopping was among the biggest and most difficult changes we have made in our 50 year history. We also know it was the best way for us to assure everyone’s safety and to make sure Halcyon Yarn remained viable for the long run by serving so many of you via curbside and online shopping.

From the start of the pandemic we made health and safety our top priority and adapted our policies to assure that staff could care for themselves and their families. We are thankful to have remained safe and healthy, and we are proud to have had zero workplace covid infections or exposures. Learn more about our Current Operations & Safety here.

As we plan for a solid foundation and even more creative future, opening back up to the in-person experience is not just a simple matter of flipping a switch. As you are likely hearing from many shops and restaurants, a great deal has changed in how we operate and in our physical space. Like many businesses we are challenged by the ongoing staff-shortages in our area and across the country, as well as continuing unpredictability across delivery and supply chains. In order to stay both safe and viable we too had to make significant changes to our operations. We’ve all watched as many terrific independent businesses wrestled with the choice between closing their doors permanently or reinventing themselves to survive and thrive in a future that none of us could have predicted. We’re grateful to be among the latter and I hope that as we reinvest in the future of Halcyon Yarn you’ll be on that journey with us.

NEW ARRIVAL – we’re having a baby!

Another reason we are not yet resuming Halcyon Yarn’s shop re-opening is the very happy news that my wife and I are expecting our first child this summer! Even in the easiest of times taking family leave is a challenge to manage in a small family business in which we normally both work full-time. You’ll be in great hands as our capable staff cover all the bases. I won’t get on my soapbox here about the limited family leave support systems in our country… Instead we’ll just say how much we sincerely appreciate your understanding that this is not the time for our family or business to resume scaling up the Halcyon Yarn retail shop. We look forward to introducing you to our new addition and it is an absolute joy to be welcoming a third generation to the Halcyon Yarn family!

STAY TUNED…

We do look forward to welcoming you back into the shop when we are again ready to offer the best possible “in-person” Halcyon Yarn experience after taking this time to thoughtfully improve our space and all of our offerings. We look forward to your input as we do so and we are excited for what lies ahead!
Our Current Operations can always be found in the link at the top of our website and we will continue to share updates here in the blog and newsletter as plans evolve. We will continue offering you excellent service and products via our website, telephone/message customer service, and curbside pickup. Please do not hesitate to email or call 800-341-0282 – we are always glad to help!

Portrait of Gretchen
Picture of Gretchen signature

15 thoughts on “What a year… Halcyon Yarn Operations & Schedule Update”

  1. Andrea Myles-Hunkin says:

    How do you participate in Maine Yarn Cruise if you aren’t open?

    1. Gretchen says:

      Thank you for your inquiry! Although we’ve enjoyed being part of the cruise in past years we are not a participant this year for just this reason. We have loved welcoming the cruise visitors and hope to do so again when the retail shop is again open for in-person shopping. There are many great businesses on the tour this year and I hope you’ll have a great time visiting them. We look forward to seeing you next time!

  2. Bernadette says:

    Sending happy thoughts to you on the coming baby. Gosh, I miss seeing/holding baby humans!

  3. Jessica Goin says:

    Huge Congratulations!! I look forward to many more years of loving Halcyon in whatever form works best for you and your growing family!

  4. Patty says:

    Wow This is fabulous! Three cheers and keep us posted xxx Love , Patty

  5. Karen says:

    The whole country is now opened up to the public, even NYC.
    Is it a staffing issue that keeps you from opening? Because no one believes its a matter of safety.
    You are the only business i know that is refusing to open to the public, i just dont get it.
    I would love to continue giving you my business but unfortunately i can no longer wait and will have to go to a shop that allows us in.

    1. Gretchen says:

      Hi Karen, Thanks for sharing your feedback. I totally understand your frustration and am sorry that we can’t accommodate in-person shopping at this time. We’ve always been primarily a “mail order” business and although we love having people come into the facility to shop, the online portion of our business was the necessary priority as a result of the pandemic. We do offer sample cards and a very capable customer service team to make it easier to shop with us when not in person.
      Although safety has improved dramatically you are correct that the primary issue remains that we do not yet have sufficient on-site staff to re-open the store portion of our operation. We do very much look forward to doing so again when we can provide the great service and reliable hours that our customers expect to come in and have a great experience. Again, we miss seeing folks and look forward to letting you know when that part of our operation is once again available. Take care and please let us know if we can assist you in the meantime!

  6. Karen Koster Burr says:

    WoW so happy for you! Appreciate all you do and look forward to the next chapter!

  7. Kelsey says:

    Congrats! I miss this place deeply! It has given me a lot of time to focus on my unfinished projects before starting new ones! Take your time to become ready we’ll be eagerly waiting!

    1. ruth hendel says:

      Congratulations on the upcoming new arrival! Great news!
      In my case, I’m content shopping on line since I don’t get up to Maine, anyway.
      Whatever flies, I’m sure you will make the right decision.
      Good luck as you reevaluate next steps for Halcyon Yarns.
      Best,
      Ruth

  8. Susan Stewart says:

    Charlie and I couldn’t be more thrilled for the two of you!!! I look forward to being able to see you all and meet the new family member, yet think you’re wise to keep to the current operating schedule, especially with a baby en route. All our best!!

  9. CArolyn Wollen says:

    Wonderful news about the baby and that you are working to open the store when safe!

  10. Claudia DeMeritt says:

    Congratulations are in order! Of most importance is the welcoming of a new addition to your family! Next is the zero covid workplace infections and exposures.

    Lastly, so very happy you are still in business!

  11. Joan DeVries says:

    Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy. For me, raising two children was so much fun and very rewarding. You and your wife are about to embark on a marvelous journey. Best wishes to the three of you.

  12. Wendy Ford says:

    Congratulations!! VERY exciting — it will be fun when there is a corner of the store devoted to the littlest new shopper!! I haven’t been in the store in such a long time — we used to come to Harpswell for the Knit Inn and send everyone to Halcyon – and you were always wonderful….and gave us some little “treasurers” to give to participants. Alas – there has not been a Knit Inn – although I have one friend who comes to my house to knit once a week! I wish you all the best … enjoy the journey into parenthood…. :)

Leave a Reply to Andrea Myles-Hunkin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.