Between home and work, there aren’t many communal spaces for women to form a community. Even less so if someone isn’t religious. The spaces that are scarcely found are often labeled as “third” spaces. They are where we congregate, share stories, laugh and cry.
Gabriella and Maria, the mother-daughter owners of One More Row yarn shop, are proud to call their business a third space for all. Tucked into a corner between Publix and Marco’s Pizza, One More Row has a cozy and inviting atmosphere. There is a big table, a couch, and chairs for lounging and chatting. On busier meeting days, they have plenty of folding chairs to accommodate everyone.
Maria likens their shop to a modern day “Quilting Bee”, a term that came about during 20th century industrialization when people were seeking a simpler way of life and community-building beyond the hustle and bustle of the time.
Maria began knitting as enrichment after her kids grew into teenagers. She says “I could get away for a Tuesday night and go sit and knit with a group of women.” Maria taught Gabriella how to knit, but Gabriella took off on her own creative journey.
Nowadays, One More Row is operated by both her and her daughter - she manages bookkeeping while Gabriella is responsible for teaching classes and running the creative side of the business. Gabriella says she has found nothing she can’t knit.
One More Row hosts stitch sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and welcomes anyone who wants to foster community or hone their craft. Gabriella says they aren’t in the business of only selling yarn; it goes hand-in-hand with prioritizing their community.
They began gathering at Copper Coin Coffee before the business closed. They weren’t willing to let their community go and opened up a shop with the dual mission of selling yarns from small makers and continuing to invest in their thriving community.
These third spaces are essential. While everyone is welcome, Gabriella, and Mara invite women who are seeking connection outside of motherhood or their marriage or the stressors of life to join a community where they can share stories, vent, and connect with other women.
You can find Gabby and Maria at onemorerow.net and @onemorerowwoodstock on Instagram. Stop by the shop at 6234 Holly Springs Pkwy Suite D1.
