MOUNT VERNON — If you walk into the Makery Shop and engage Kimberly Gum in a discussion about yarn and women empowerment, please forgive her if she becomes a bit misty-eyed. Gum is living a dream come true.
The Makery Shop, located right on the square in downtown Mount Vernon, officially opened on May 18 during Main Street Mount Vernon’s Ladies Night Out. Since then, Gum has had a steady flow of customers wandering into her place, whether they have a specific type of yarn in mind to purchase or they just want to scope out the latest new store.
“I started The Makery for several reasons. One, I believe in what is happening in downtown Mount Vernon and we wanted to be a part of it,” Gum said. “We always tell people how great the town is, but we wanted to actually put our money where our mouth is and really invest in the downtown.”
Gum and her husband, Danny, moved to Mount Vernon two years ago after the pair searched for a place to settle down in retirement. Though they looked at places in the northeast and south side of Columbus, it was Mount Vernon where they kept returning.
“It feels like home to me,” said the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, native.
Gum’s second reason for opening The Makery? She’s passionate about making things. “I’ve knitted, I’ve watercolored, corn-husked dolls, embroidered, you name it,” Gum said. “Wool applique, hand embroidery, and knitting, crocheting are the real passions here. But I just love making in general and learning new things.
“I’m here to serve the public and help them learn to create. That’s my base,” she said.
Gum and her husband Danny renovated the storefront located at 1 N. Main St. and turned it into a shop that not only welcomes when you cross the threshold, but also inspires. In front of the big windows that look out on the square, Gum arranged a cozy sitting area designed with knitters, crafters, and lap projects in mind. She dubbed it The Gathering Lounge.
“I really believe that when people sit side by side and create and they start laughing and sharing their stories, it can build strong communities,” Gum said. “People who maybe won’t normally have dinner together suddenly are sitting beside each other creating. It’s a beautiful space for them to get to know each other that’s non-threatening. When people share their stories, community is strengthened.”
Steps away from the sitting area is a section of the store that is immersed in color and all manner of threads and yarn. Gum carries brands of yarn and thread that aren’t easy to find.
“When I say these are some of the finest threads you can purchase, I’m not joking,” Gum said before spouting of a list that included Sue Spargo, Wonderfil, Cosmo Embroidery Floss, and The Thread Gatherer. “Just like butter … They’re just amazing.”
Gum also offers a variety of yarns from brands such as Brown Sheep, Peace Fleece, and even Love Fest Fibers and Darn Good Yarn, two companies that help support women in Nepal and India. “I really picked the yarn that I love and I know that works,” she said. “Just really great yarns.”
Gum has sourced a number of her yarns from smaller companies and farm-to-needle entrepreneurs from Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maine.
Gum may favor certain creative forms, but she’s not afraid to learn from others who are experts in their field. “I’m open to learning along with it and to be very humble and letting people know that if I don’t have it, I’ll get it. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find the answer.”
Each person that enters the shop is a new chance to form a connection for Gum. “I’m very humble in knowing some people walk in and I’ll be able to answer anything they ask, but other people come in (with more knowledge) and I just sit there. I’m so amazed and I just want to hang out and have coffee with them. This is a lifelong dream.”
The back of the store houses a crafting area where Gum will hold classes involving macrame, sign painting, knitting, crocheting, creating essential sprays, and even Paint ‘N Sip events.
“In today’s society, there’s a real movement to make,” Gum said. “But there’s a lot of people who aren’t into that yet, they don’t know about it because they don’t think they’re creative. Every human is creative; the problem is they have measured their creativity or lack thereof against the yardsticks of people who are artisans. It doesn’t mean you’re not creative just because you’re not creating something (like that). My goal is to have every person tap into that creative part of their self.”
The Makery Shop is located at 1 N. Main St. in Mount Vernon. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. More information on The Makery Shop or class sign-ups can be found at themakeryonmain.com. The Makery Shop can also be found on Facebook or Instagram.
