Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
IN MEMORY — Peter Ruskis has re-opened Carol’s Country Yarns at his 1087 County Road residence on U.S. Route 2 in memory of his late wife, Carol Horner, whose picture is in the background, along with the first article written on the yarn shop by the Houlton Pioneer Times. The grand opening is set for Monday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
NEW LIMERICK — Peter Ruskis is reopening Carol’s Country Yarns in his home, as a way to keep his wife’s memory alive and to honor her through the love of knitting.
Carol Honer opened the doors of Carol’s Country Yarns to the public on July 3, 2004. The shop was situated in Fishmann’s Mall, closing in February.
“After my wife died, I took over the business,” said Ruskis. “I knew it was going to kind of plunge because it was her store and her personality.”
However, Ruskis was left with a wide array of inventory and decided to reopen the yarn shop. The grand opening is on Monday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1087 County Road, New Limerick.
Ruskis was well trained under his wife’s tutelage.
“I learned to knit and I learned how to run the shop,” he said. “I did that because she was sick. I had to learn it or else she would have had to close the day she opened.”
Carol battled cancer for 13 years.
“The last two years, I basically did everything,” Ruskis added.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
ALL YOU NEED — Carol’s Country Yarns is reopened and has a large stock of inventory for beginner to more experienced knitters. The shop will carry a variety of yarns, needles, patterns, books and accessories.
Ruskis began knitting in 2005 and helped his wife with giving instructions and classes.
“The easy part was learning to knit,” he said. “The hard part was the business end.”
But, the couple continued to grow their business venture until her death in 2012. Ruskis, who could have sold the business and taken a loss, decided what the couple had invested in the business was worth another try. He still has a large inventory and has no overhead costs because the shop is in his home.
“I have a nice setup for when people come in,” he said. “I have a big library of more than 100 books, needles, accessories, patterns and yarns. I limited some of the yarns because they were high end, but I think I have what people want around here.”
Ruskis, who sells his own socks and sweaters, is hoping when summer comes that his home on U.S. Route 2 will draw beginning to experienced knitters. He wants to be open six days a week, but his hours will depend on the interest level.
“I love the aspect of being in a knitting shop every day,” he said. “If no one shows up, I will just keep on knitting.”
For more information, Ruskis can be reached at 532-3997.
