Andrea Markey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 14/05) - With 45 boxes of new products to unpack, every nook and cranny of Karen's General Store will soon be filled.

"I look around at other stores to make sure I am not duplicating them," said Karen Guinan. "People will not see these things in other stores in Yellowknife."

What those things are include the "funky and unusual," as well as stalls filled with items from crafters and collectors.

Plates, antique ladies' hats and coloured glass are especially popular, she said.

New items will be arriving from now until Christmas.

"Some people mention the store is out of the way, but I figure if people want it they are going to go get it."

The location helps keep rent down, which is then reflected in the prices, she said.

New vendors have been inquiring about space at the store all the time since it opened almost a year ago, she said.

"Most of the vendors sell their items here exclusively," she said.

Whether it is the new wall display for bookmarks, the back of a chair for afghans or a full stall for collectable dolls and record albums, the store does what it can to accommodate vendors, she said.

Unlike craft sales, where people have to unpack and then re-pack the items that don't sell, vendors' items are displayed the four days per week the store is open, with extended hours closer to Christmas, she said.

Extra hours prior to the holiday rush isn't the only thing customers have been asking for, she said.

Space is already full for the first scrapbooking class at the store.

A second is scheduled for after the holidays.

"Customers have been requesting knitting, crocheting, beadwork - so if we can get the teachers, we'll have the classes," she said.