While our shop is predominantly an online store, once a month we host Open Studio Days. One Saturday a month we are open to the public for in-person shopping from 10am - 4pm. It is a great opportunity to stop by for a visit and see all of our threads, kits, notions and fabrics for yourself. 

Durham, NC is a great little town filled with delicious food, unique shops and friendly people. Whether you are a local maker or planning on making a day trip to visit during our Open Studio days, here is a local guide to some of our favorite spots around town.

Local Eats

Durham has SO MANY fantastic restaurants and cafes, it is hard to choose. Here are a few of our personal favorite spots within a 5 minute walk or drive from the Studio.

• Guglhupf Cafe & Bakery - right across the street from the shop & easily one of the best bakeries in town. The cafe serves German inspired breakfast, lunch & dinner. Everything here is delicious - you can't go wrong.
• Refectory Cafe - diagonally across from the shop (be sure to cross at the new cross walk - Durham-Chapel Hill Road is BUSY and folks tend to drive pretty fast) Great place for soups & sandwiches. Lots of vegetarian, vegan & gluten free options.
• Fosters Market - within walking distance from the shop. Fosters is a Durham institution. Great casual dining for breakfast, sandwiches, coffee, baked goods, cake & more. Loads of outdoor seating if it's a nice day out.
• Taqueria La Vaquita - great take out Mexican that is quick and tasty. Don't miss their pupusas and burritos!
• Q-Shack - A quick 2 minute drive from the shop, if you are craving BBQ Q-shack is a family favorite. 
• The Boot Room - across the street from Q-shack. Part pub, part cozy restaurant, part bottle shop ... We love their burgers & their BIG homemade pretzel is a must.  
• East Cut Sandwich Shop - fantastic sandwiches, homemade seasonal lemonades and huge mozzarella sticks made with housemade mozzarella.
• Pistachio Ice Cream - Persian ice cream with unique flavors like Ginger Rosewater and Saffron Pistachio. Great outdoor seating area to enjoy your cones.

This is a very short list of the many, many food options you have in Durham. Head downtown for even more great restaurant options and ice cream!

Crafty Shopping

Make it a crafty day by visiting some of our local craft supply and creative spaces.

• Rare Earth Beads & Crystal Shop - right across the street from the Studio, this shop is a dream for anyone that works with beads. They also host classes and events. 
• The Scrap Exchange - one of the largest reuse centers in the country is less than a mile away from the shop! You never know what you are going to find at the Scrap. From pipettes and test tubes to fabric to hub caps ... its a fun place to explore and find some treasures for your next creative project
• Freeman's Creative - a local quilt & yarn shop next door to the Scrap Exchange. Amelia stocks loads of fabric and knitting supplies. 
• Crafts & Drafts - if you are in the mood for a pint & some stitching time, head up to this unique bar in northern Durham. They sell a variety of craft kits or bring your own. 
• Hillsborough Yarn Shop and Yarn Etc. are a little further away in Chapel Hill & Hillsborough, but are two great yarn shops in the area (about a 15-20 min drive from the shop)
• Chapel Hill Needlepoint - the only full needlepoint shop in the area is over in Chapel Hill. They have a wide range of needlepoint canvases and threads as well as offering finishing services. 

Unique Shops

One of my favorite things to do in a new town is visit locally owned gift shops & book stores of which we have many here in Durham. Starting with the ones closest to the shop and working out from there, here are a few of our favorite spots around town.

• Golden Fig Books - right across the street (in the same building as Guglhupf and Rare Earth Beads). Golden Fig is a book lovers dream filled with new & used books.
• Chet Miller - just down the road from us, this is one of my favorite places to visit when I am looking for a gift or stocking stuffers around the holidays. With everything from soap to cocktail kits and stationery, its just plain fun to wander around this shop.
• Atomic Empire - board game & role playing game fan heaven! They have a fantastic selection of games and the entire back part of the store has tables where you can play games when they do not have another event or tournament going on. 
• Melina's Fresh Pasta - pick up some fresh handmade pasta on your way home from Melina's
• The Regulator - one of the oldest operating locally owned bookstores in town located on 9th street alongside a bunch of other small shops & restaurants
• Hometown Apparel - looking for a uniquely Durham souvenir? Hometown Apparel has lots of Durham themed t-shirts, tea towels and gifts 

We've lived in Durham for over 17 years and we love our little hometown. Don't hesitate to ask us for more recommendations when you stop by to visit. We love sharing our favorite spots!