At The Underground, we sell hand-dyed and commercial yarn, a carefully curated selection of books, and craft delicious coffee and Italian sodas. Our space is all about hospitality — it’s a place where people can just be, surrounded by color, texture, words, and warmth.

Believe it or not, this dream started on a blind date. My now-partner (in business and life), Eric, told me he’d always wanted to open a bookstore — but it had to be books and something else. I jokingly said, “Well, I dye yarn. What if it was books and yarn?” And what started as playful banter quickly became a shared vision that we couldn’t shake. Before we knew it, we were signing a lease.

We had no clue how this would all come together until a single phone call on Presidents Day changed everything. I called about a property, expecting voicemail. Instead, I got into a 45-minute heart-to-heart with a realtor who ended up saying, “I think you belong in Hershey.” She told me about a space that wasn’t even on the market yet… and when I hung up (very late to my dentist appointment), I sat in the car and cried. I knew. This was it.

My yarn brand, Little Loopy, is rooted in both my love of fiber and my background in mental health. I was a school counselor for five years, and I deeply believe in the power of creative practices — like knitting and crochet — to help regulate our emotions and ground us. Color therapy, texture, softness, and community all come together in this shop. The name “Little Loopy” is a nod to both yarn and mental health — and maybe a little to my own quirky personality, too.

We faced a major hurdle with bank financing. One of the loan applications asked if either partner was involved in legal action, including divorce — and I answered truthfully. That honesty got our application flagged, and ultimately denied. It was disheartening, but we moved forward anyway. We bootstrapped, got creative, leaned into community support, and still made it happen.

I thought I understood hard work — I’d been a teacher, a counselor, the responsible oldest daughter… but opening a business is a different level entirely. It challenges every part of you. My advice? Know your “why,” and talk it out with people who will help you refine your ideas. Eric and I spent so many nights just talking through the dream, building it together. The more you reflect, the more aligned your business becomes with who you are. Also, don’t underestimate your capacity to grow. We are becoming better versions of ourselves through this.

“Regulation through repetition.” I say this a lot in my counseling work — and it applies to fiber arts, too. Stitch after stitch, row after row… it’s a kind of moving meditation. It’s healing.

I have a tattoo of Stitch — yes, the little blue alien from Lilo & Stitch! He’s experiment 626, which also happens to be my birthday: June 26th. I used it often as a conversation starter with kids when I was a counselor. If a student was quiet or nervous, I’d roll up my sleeve and show them Stitch. It worked almost every time to break the ice.