When potential visitors consider a trip to Powell River, Sunshine Coast Trail, the great fishing and the fresh, locally-grown food are a few of the more enticing and attractive aspects the area has to offer. But quite a few people will also come for wool.
At the Great Balls of Wool shop on Marine Avenue, owner Roisin Sheehy-Culhane has created a woolen hot spot that draws people from miles around.
“What customers tell me who come from all over is that I have more variety than what’s available in general,” said Sheehy-Culhane.
Powell River Visitor Centre manager Tracey Ellis said she agreed that the shop is a major draw for visitors.
“Of all the calls we get from people curious to visit Powell River, Great Balls of Wool is often asked about,” said Ellis. “I always encourage people planning to walk along Marine Avenue to step into the shop and be ready for a treat.”
Customers are excited about the well-laid-out shop, friendly and helpful staff, and the diverse merchandise at hand, according to Sheehy-Culhane.As well, she offers workshops, classes and drop-ins. Knitting weekend retreats are also being planned.
“The majority of our out-of-town customers are coming to visit family or sightsee; they save their wool shopping for when they come here,” said Sheehy-Culhane.
Visitors have come from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, but also Yukon, Quebec, and even as far away as Newfoundland and New Brunswick, she added.
“People living here don’t realize how lucky they are,” said Hilda Arnold, a recent customer from Sechelt. “It’s organized with good quality yarn.”
Some customers who have been to the shop continue to use the store’s website as the business carries hard-to-find stock, according to the owner.
“One Newfoundland woman got some sparkly alpaca wool that I had,” said Sheehy-Culhane. “This was something that she couldn’t find anywhere else.”
Sheehy-Culhane had some in stock, but was curious as to what the customer wanted it for. She said she found it amusing to find out it was being used to make socks for fishermen.
“I now have an image of Newfoundland fishermen with sparkly alpaca socks,” she said.
Customers have also responded enthusiastically to efforts to ensure all of products in the store are ethically sourced, said Sheehy-Culhane, adding that she works closely with suppliers to ensure they follow sound labour and environmental practices.
“I do my best to to make sure everything I carry is ethically sourced,” she added. “I don’t want sweatshop labour.”
Customers from overseas and across Canada regularly comment on the welcoming environment the store offers.
“This gathering space on Powell River main street is literally a celebration of creativity, learning, sharing, discovery and friendship,” said Marie Fossheim from Calgary, who has visited the shop and now uses the website. “Roisin has given us way more than a retail outlet in a small town on the west coast, but an amazing way to connect with so many within our community.”
Great Balls of Wool recently moved into a new location at 4722 Marine Avenue and is busier than ever.
“We were bursting at the seams,” said Sheehy-Culhane, “so we moved into this space and our business has pretty much doubled.”
Great Balls of Wool celebrates eight years in business this November.
