If you could. . .

If you could start your own fiber-related shop, what would it look like? Would it be large or small? Cater to knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, or some combination of those? Would you specialize in any one area, like dyeing or spinning or knitting socks?

Questions like this started crossing my mind the other day because I went and got my taxes done. Yeah, I know. You're probably thinking, "What the heck does getting her taxes done have to do with a yarn shop?" I don't blame you for shaking your head and thinking I may be under the influence of some medication or other. Allow me to explain.

My accountant recently moved his offices, so this was the first visit I'd made to him in the new digs. He's clear across town from me (because I used to live on that side of town and when I moved, I didn't want to switch accountants -- trust me, he's worth the drive) and I wasn't familiar with the new community he'd moved to. As I followed the directions and came into the community, I was floored. The place is gorgeous! It's a planned community and his office is on the central street, which is lined with brick-fronted brownstone style buildings, each of which has a storefront area with living areas above it. In his case, he's turned the entire unit into offices for his firm.

At one end of the street, right next to his office, is the public library. Across from his office is the real estate office that shares space with a coffee and ice cream shop. As you walk down the street, there are a couple of cute gift shops along with a day spa and a travel agency. There's also a counselor's office and soon there will be an optometrist. When you reach the end of the street, you find City Hall and a pretty park. The post office is conveniently located around the corner, and if you go another couple of blocks, you'll find a bank and then a large Target store. The rest of the community includes some townhomes, single-family homes, and an apartment complex. Within a couple of miles, there are restaurants and shopping. Go about five miles and there's an outlet mall.

In short, pretty much everything you need for daily life is within a 10-mile radius, maximum. And you're a short distance from a major freeway, which connects you in a matter of minutes with downtown Portland or the Columbia Gorge. Don't want to drive? Head into Gresham and take the light rail.

Yes, I visited the real estate guy. I'm SOOO tempted to take a leap of faith! There's a unit right on the main street for sale. It has about 1700 square feet, total, with a small storefront area (about 150 square feet) that has a big bay window looking out onto the street. The living area is spacious and nice. There's a private courtyard that connects to a 2-car garage with built-in storage. There's even an attic with one of those cute pull-down ladders.

My mind is reeling. I think it's just fantasy, but you never know.

Anyway, I'm definitely not alone in my musings. The ladies over at Enchanted Yarn & Fiber in Kentucky have had similar dreams and are turning them into reality. They're working on their new shop space and pondering what kinds of things to carry in their new shop. To that end, they're having a blog comments contest. Just hop over to their blog and leave answers to some questions they've posed and you'll be entered. Tell them you came from my blog, if you want (yeah, it gets me bonus points, I admit it!) or just leave your comment and wish them well.

As for me, I'm still thinking. . .