To our Dear Friends near and far, our Railroad St. neighbors, and our wonderful Customers, both In-Store and On-Line,

It is with a complicated mix of feelings that I write this letter to share with you the news that we are closing Karen Allen Fiber Arts on December 31st, 2026. It’s hard to let something go that was built on a love of Great Barrington and of wonderful textile designers that I have admired for many years, and new ones I discovered along the way. It has been sheer fun introducing these artists’ work to all of you who have visited us on Railroad St or our website over the years and a joy, an honor and a privilege to work with the wonderful women who have come to work with me and to be a part of our shop as it grew and re-created itself over the last 22 years.

We set up shop in 2005 at 35 Railroad St in a tiny space with a handful of mostly local designers, including my newly created Karen Allen Fiber Arts line of cashmere that I was making on Japanese knitting machines in Monterey, MA in an old out building down the road from my home. We grew little by little. We moved the store to a larger space further down RR St to #8 in 2008, where we have happily stayed.

When I say we, I am first and foremost talking about the amazing Susan Kiesel. She has been the heartbeat and pulse of the shop from our very beginning. The shop could not have continued without her extraordinary and delightful presence, hard work, patience, and kindness over these many years. We learned by the seat of our pants about running a business together. Also by our side, through a major part of the journey, was the wonderful Kathie Scott, who we lost way too soon and miss so much. Her sense of fun and style made us all fall in love with her. Annie Lynn was with us years ago, left to pursue new things, and then thankfully returned to us. We have been so happy to have her back. She’s a gift! And Lisa Sauer who is great fun and always ready to dive into the fray with us. I’ve been lucky to have a true dream team of fantastic women to hold the little shop together over the years, including JB Brodeur, Cathy Bartholomew and Linda Kusnetz Rath.

Thank you for all the wonderful years you have supported us and shown up to visit and shop. We have felt your encouragement over the years, and it has meant more than you know. We will miss our sweet shop on RR St. Please do come by and visit us before we close. I’m making a celebratory poster of textile designs that have come and gone in the shop over the years, and I’d love to give one to anyone who would like to have one. They will be ready by November 1st. We will also be setting up a week to officially raise a glass of wine or apple cider with you when you come by. And of course, all of the clothing in the shop will go into our End of the Road sale…. so, if there is something you have had your eyes on, now’s the time!!! We are starting a Storewide Sale (except for a few new arrivals). Watch for our ongoing announcements.