SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — This past year of social distancing and cancelled events has led many people back to some of their favorite at-home hobbies. It’s also meant a big boost in business for one very specialized store in Sioux Falls.
“Needlepoint has been around for centuries it started as tapestries in the old castles and rugs to keep it warm,” Barbara Riley , the owner of Barbara’s Needlepoint said.
Today there are still many people passionate about these projects.
“It’s really relaxing and allows me to get in touch with my creative side,” customer Trudy Billion said.
Long time customer Trudy Billion got back into needlepoint in 2020.
“I’ve done it for many years but I had taken a break from this hobby while pursuing other things,” Billion said. “I came out of retirement from this hobby due to covid, I was looking for a way to do something fun while I was at home more.”
Many people have come back to Barbara’s Needlepoint to look through her vast selection of threads and one-of-a-kind designs.
“The needlepoint is hand painted on the mesh,” Riley said.
The designs alone are works of art hand painted by Barbara and other local artists who have helped the store gain quite a following.
“We started on Facebook probably 2012, we grew exponentially when we went on Facebook,” Riley said. “We’ve had retreats bringing people from all over the country into town too.”
The growth started at her original store at 8th and…
