By Deb Risden
Woolly Works Farm and Knit Shop in Black Forest is celebrating 25 years in business this year. Edie Fisher, owner, said she plans to celebrate the anniversary throughout the year with events and customer discounts.
Fisher started her knitting business after serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. “I was an electrician in the Air Force,” Fisher said. “I never got the hang of it. I hated it. This seems to be what I’m good at.”
In early 1999, the knit shop opened its doors in Fisher’s home; and, in 2012, she opened a store in downtown Colorado Springs. She was there for six and a half years and decided to move the business back to her home, which had been designed and built with a space for her store and studio.
The anniversary celebration will kick off in April with a customer appreciation day on April 20 during Knit-A-Long time. Customers will get 25% off regular priced purchases. Other than the discount, it will be just like every Saturday when Fisher bakes German cake and serves it with coffee for her customers who come together and work on their knitting projects.
The Woolly Works Farm is home to three alpacas. Although Fisher knows how to spin wool, she sends it to a mill to be processed. She prefers to focus her time and energy on the store and knitting. The store has yarn, knitting supplies and products Fisher makes in her knitting studio. She also takes custom orders, and some products can be purchased online and shipped to the buyer. Fisher also conducts classes and workshops.
Fisher said she enjoys her customers, some of whom come from long distances. “I have customers that come out of Monument, Elizabeth, Fountain and Woodland Park,” she said. “They are spread out. I encourage those who enjoy a leisurely ride to visit the store. They can have the most amazing views they can imagine. On a clear day, you can see Mount Princeton from my kitchen window all the way down to Walsenburg.”
Fisher said she is planning a “Summer Anniversary Bash” for Aug. 3, where there will be giveaways and specials. Other specials and discount days will be announced at a later date.
Woolly Works Farm and Knit Shop is located at 12285 Oregon Wagon Trail in Black Forest. The hours are Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, from 1 p.m. to 5; Thursday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She is closed on Tuesdays.