Name change and weekly events coming soon to downtown Bardstown store
By SYLVIA HORLANDER
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Saturday, June 24, 2017 — A store in the heart of downtown Bardstown is worming its way to a new name, and has added an addition to fit in its thread. Wooly Worm is becoming The Tea Cozy Yarn Studio. And, the first Thursday Teas and Open Studio was held Thursday, June 22.
Since August 2015, Wooly Worm has carried Wooly Worm Creations by Linn Lorenzen, luxury fashions, locally-sourced fine yarns, and gift items from Maple Hill Manor’s Alpaca Farm. The store wants its customers to both learn and improve needle working in a positive environment and through an enjoyable experience — that’s why Wooly Worm is adding classes, workshops, and specific project opportunities to match all skill levels and needs.
While the store has started these additions and is transitioning to a new name, Wooly Worm is determined to bring tried and true needle work skills. Geri Manning, store owner, says the changes are exciting. “I love to talk about the alpaca fiber,” she said.
The fiber comes from alpacas who live on Historic Maple Hill Manor in Springfield. Manning’s son, Todd Allen, manages the manor and assists in the process of getting the fibers from the farm to the store. In their natural habitat, the alpacas stroll the gently rolling hills next to horse and cattle farms. Once the fiber is gotten from the alpacas, it’s sent to manufacturers then displayed in Wooly Worm. The fiber a customer sees in the store is used to make children’s toys, purses, and of course, alpaca figures.
Manning is a native of Harrodsburg, and says part of what brought her to Bardstown was its charm. Her store is at 110 North Third Street in Bardstown between Beautiful Salon and 3rd Street Tap House.
GERI MANNING
Wooly Worm offers products for men and cosmetics as well. Manning’s background also includes selling Tupperware and, cosmetics, and spa tools.
Thursday Teas and Open Studio is every Thursday afternoon from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Fine, specialty teas from New York and light refreshments will be served while customers work on needling threads. The store invites everyone to come and bring what they’re working on, or if they’re new with the skill, to still come and learn how to make their own masterpiece. The classes and workshops at Wooly Worm will also keep up with trends and new ideas.
The store’s name change was recently approved by the Historic Review Board and the Bardstown City Council. Both Manning and her son hope to have the new name official by the end of next week.
More information can soon be found at www.Teacozyyarnstudio.com.
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