I went up town to do some shopping and after parking the car, walked to my first stop, our local yarn shop, Heartspun. I read the note on the door and was disappointed but not surprised to see it has gone out of business. This shop has been around for a number of years but has had about four different owners. I don't think this last lady even tried to sell it. I think I would have noticed if the business had been put up for sale. She didn't even have a Closing Sale. Judging from the note on the door she sounded bitter. She wrote something about wishing Port Alberni supported the arts as much as they do hockey and I agree with her. Sometimes I think they should have called this town Jocksville. Of course I'm pretty sure business might have been better if she had been in the store when it was open. Seems like every time I was there I ended up paying the pottery lady, who shared the shop space, for my purchases and I won't soon forget traveling all the way into town to discover a note on the door saying she'd be back by 3:30. Sometimes I'd wander around Harbour Quay looking in the other shops but when she hadn't returned by 4:00 I went home. Her stock was on the meager side. No problem if you wanted to knit a pair of socks or a hat or a small child's sweater. Definite problem if you wanted to knit yourself a sweater or shawl. There are other places in town where I can buy yarn. Unfortunately, I'm a yarn snob and prefer natural fibres over the acrylic yarn favoured by Zellers and Walmart. I guess I'd better get some more spinning practice in and I'm sure Elann.com will be pleased with the extra business from me.