Rumpelstiltskin Yarns Opens in Stony Brook

For Vincent and Angela D'Aguanno, a trip to feed the ducks in Stony Brook village several months ago yielded more than just a pleasant day trip.

The D'Aguannos, residents of Bohemia and owners of Rumpelstiltskin Yarns in Sayville, were looking for a place to open a second location, and an open storefront in the village center caught their eye. The couple signed a lease in May and officially opened shop at 145 Main St. in Stony Brook – a few doors down from the Stony Brook Post Office, in the space previously occupied by Welcome Home – on Aug. 1.

"It's beautiful here," Angela D'Aguanno said. "Just the view alone makes it worth being here, and I've never seen a nicer group of store owners. People came in and welcomed us."

They had a steady stream of customers the first day. According to Vincent D'Aguanno, some of those visiting their Stony Brook store are actually previous customers at their Sayville location, which has been open five years.

Prior to opening that store, the couple attended classes at the Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook University, "and it just kind of snowballed after that," Vincent said.

At Rumpelstiltskin, you'll find skeins of yarn ranging from $5 to $40, depending on the style, including some spun by Vincent right there in the store. You'll find spinning wheels, which retail for about $600. You'll find essentials like needles, knitting bags, looms, and books, and other accessories. And you'll find classes in knitting, crocheting and spinning, which is the store's focus.

"We want to create a sense of community and be a part of the community," Angela said. "We wanted to take what we feel about this and pass it around."

For Angela, "what we feel" equates to feeling "warm and safe." She learned how to knit from her grandmother while growing up.

"It makes me feel like I'm a kid again," she said. "No one really knits for what they make. They knit for how it makes you feel."

The D'Aguannos acknowledge they've got some steep competition from national craft store chains like A.C. Moore, Michael's, and Joann's, which have nearby locations in places like Lake Grove, Hauppauge, and Centereach. But what they don't have, Vincent said, is Angela herself.

"What sets us apart from competition is my wife," Vincent D'Aguanno said. "The way she conducts her classes like a college class but with a homey atmosphere."

There are about 15 other similar knit shops across Long Island, according to Meryle Greenberg, program chair of the Long Island Knit and Crochet Guild. But she said what makes Rumpelstiltskin unique is that it caters to those who enjoy spinning yarn as well.

Barbara Woltmann of Stony Brook, who runs her own business selling knit products, , is excited to see the store open.

"Stores like the new Rumpelstiltskin one are almost always owned and operated by people who are knitters and crocheters themselves which brings a much more personal and helpful experience when shopping there," Woltmann said. "Those new to knitting and crocheting will discover a wealth of knowledge that you just can't find when perusing larger craft stores, and those who have been at it awhile can always stand to learn something new."