Whenever possible, I shop locally. My goal is to support and champion the stores who are based in and around Cincinnati that curate the most beautiful wares. Make. Do., a local yarn and fabric store, is one of these gems. With marvelously printed fabrics, artisanal yarn, friendly faces and helpful staff, it’s like entering a small business run by your favorite, cool aunt who has unlocked the pro-level of fabric arts. It instantly brings on warm and fuzzy feelings of joy, I kid you not. I follow their every story on Instagram and heart every new product and never leave without a bag full of new yarn. You must visit and I will never stop gushing about it.
Here to cast-on the beautiful story of Make. Do., we must start with the fabulous and talented Owner and CEO, Jennifer Cox.
Where did this passion for fiber arts begin?
My mom taught both my sister and I to knit and crochet when we were little. Neither one of us was particularly good at it, but it kept us busy, until we got frustrated and stopped. I picked knitting back up when I went to grad school. I was in a new town, didn’t know anyone, and found that I could make a community of my own with the knitters and crocheters around me. I continued that desire to build a welcoming community of makers when I moved back to Cincinnati.
The origin story of Make. Do. yarn and fabric store: tell us everything.
It was luck and laziness, honestly. There was a yarn and fabric store in the place and the owner was having some trouble with the business and wanted to sell. This is something that I see a lot in small businesses, that the love for the craft sees us not paying attention to the business of the craft. I’m guilty of it all the time, but have a wonderful set of advisors around me – and a stellar store manager – to talk me down from big ideas when day-to-day management is imperative. Anyway, when I returned to Cincinnati in 2019, I was looking to open up a yarn and fabric store myself and planned to do so in OTR. I entered a lot of business plan competitions and was always in the top 3, but never selected. At some point, I got tired of the pitching (that’s the lazy part) and just decided to work on finished goods to sell in my spare time. At right around that same time, the opportunity to purchase the inventory and leasehold of the previous shop in my location became available, and I took it.
Your shop is fabulous. What have been the responses from customers?
Overwhelmingly positive. You’re always going to have some people who simply can’t please, but that’s mitigated by the ones who are appreciative and excited about what we have to offer and how welcomed they feel in our space.
Why open a yarn and fabric store in Pleasant Ridge?
It’s the best of Cincinnati, in my opinion. It’s a real neighborhood. Most of the business owners in the area know each other, we see regulars at the coffee shop, at the library and at local restaurants. It all feels like family. Plus, it’s a walkable area, full of diverse and interesting characters.
Classes. I’ve been dying to take them all. Which one is your favorite right now?
I would say our crochet classes are the most fun right now. Amigurumi is having a moment, and I love it. Plus, it’s fun for all ages and requires a fairly basic set of crochet skills.
Can you share a mini-intro of your staff? They are always so helpful and kind.
There’s me, of course. Then, there’s Allison, our store manager. She’s a genius and a gem. She regularly teaches classes in crochet and knitting, and is a whiz at our social media. She runs her own business as @bigalsworkshop, and you should check it out!
Then, there’s my mom: if you know, you know. She likes to chat, she likes to give advice (solicited or not) and she is the reason we never have Reese’s cups in the snack bin. Seriously, she really keeps the shop together and in order and I wouldn’t be able to do it without her.
What exciting things are on the horizon for Make.Do.?
Travel! We have our annual road trip to Yellow Springs coming up in September, then planned excursions to Montreal in October/November, and hopefully Scotland in 2025.
How can people connect and learn more?
Check out our website: www.heymakedo.com or our Insta: @heymakedo
Love these local business spotlights? See more from Your Neighborhood Guide, Lauren Ashley Scallon.
