Shop local with Alpaca Direct!
American Express has been sponsoring Small Business Saturday since 2010 and it's turning into a larger movement where consumers can show their support for local businesses as the foundation for jobs and innovation in America.
Our yarn and apparel shop in Hayden is locally owned and operated and a participant in this movement. For those of you who have not visited us, we are a family-run business with both an online (www.AlpacaDirect.com) and physical store on Hayden Avenue. My husband and I started the business several years ago when our daughter was in 4H and wanted to raise an alpaca for her annual county fair project. We ended up growing our herd of alpacas over the years while teaching our children the lessons of farm living, ranch chores and caring for alpacas in good weather and bad. As we cared for the animals we discovered that high quality alpaca yarn, socks and apparel was available but difficult to acquire in the USA and the few products that were available were of marginal quality or really high prices. This prompted us to create a retail website where we could bring to market the best products made of alpaca at affordable prices.
Our business expanded to open a retail storefront in 2009. When you come to see us and don't see the size or color you are looking for please be sure to ask as we likely have it in the back warehouse where we service more than 100,000 customers through our website. We feel this business model is one that benefits our local customers while giving us the buying power and volume to compete with the largest retailers. For example we carry more than 2,000 types of yarn offering the largest selection in North Idaho, yet work every day to ensure customers who visit our store feel welcome, get the assistance they need when making a purchase and get help with their knitting project if they get stuck.
Over the years as we've grown our business, the kids have been involved along the way. Our daughter hand spins her yarn and loves to knit even though she's in college now. Her experience working in the business and in our store allowed her to get a part-time job the first day she arrived in Boise to attend college. Our son is also very involved with the business. He set up our computer networks, created a computerized phone system that integrates with our call center and is responsible for online merchandising. My husband is responsible for keeping the website running and helping me with setting the vision and products for our company.
Running a small business is always challenging however it has allowed us to live in a wonderful area, make many new friends and help realize our mission to bring high quality products at affordable prices to our customers while delivering outstanding service. We hope you will get a chance to stop by sometime and see what we have to offer. You will find unique gifts like our handmade stuffed Alpacas and Teddy Bears or super warm alpaca socks that provide the gift of warmth. And of course the huge selection of yarn and fiber for the fiber artist in your family.
Alpaca Direct is a direct merchant of high quality yarn, apparel and socks. We stock a full line of fiber art accessories, from handcrafted needles and hooks to spindles and spinning wheels. Our unique selection of products also includes Peruvian alpaca sweaters, hand-loomed lace scarves, performance alpaca socks, cuddly alpaca teddy bears and unique international jewelry.
Our building is handicap accessible, with ample parking and is easy to find. We are located on Hayden Avenue, just two blocks west of Highway 95 at 1016 W. Hayden Ave. in Hayden.
Our Alpaca fiber experts are on call 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Visit us at 1016 W. Hayden Avenue or online at www.AlpacaDirect.com - your local destination for luxury yarn, apparel and gifts. "Like" us on Facebook for exclusive coupons, product spotlights and news!