Everything Alpaca
profiling businesses in Castle rock: Everything Alpaca!
Walking into Everything Alpaca in downtown Castle Rock is like entering an upscale fashion and gift boutique that just happens to sell yarn and fibers. And though the store is operated by several local alpaca breeders, owner Deb Powers says their aim is cohesive fusion.
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The store offers high-end luxury items, both domestically-sourced and imported from Peru where the alpaca originates.
As a Castle Rock resident (and breeder herself!), the location at 350 Third St. and the store itself, were all Powers’ idea. She launched Everything Alpaca in 2007 and this month will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with commemorative sales and celebrations.
Farm to Store
“We have our own yarns that we get from the fiber off our own animals,” says Powers, “in addition to Peruvian handcrafted products.”
The store’s mission is to educate the public about alpaca fiber and to make it more mainstream. “We’re getting there. Ten years ago, maybe one in 10 people knew what an alpaca was,” says Powers. “Now, it’s more like 9 out of 10.”
“You can buy alpaca products online, but you can’t touch it. And alpaca’s something that you just have to touch,” Powers says.
“There are six different grades from coarse – used for rugs, placemats, baskets – to in-between grades used for outerwear, all the way to superfine, used for fashions worn next to the skin — sweaters, gloves, hats.”
Most Popular Product
Socks are Everything Alpaca’s number one bestseller. “Once you wear them, you’ll never go back,” says Powers. Another hot seller is 
the Suri coats. Suri alpaca is rare and more valuable than the more common Huacaya alpaca. “They’re light as a sweater, and the most expensive item in the store. But, I have clients who buy them in multiples. They’re really popular.”
There are four characteristics to alpaca fiber that contribute to its popularity. “It’s warmer than wool, is much softer — for people who usually can’t wear wool because it’s scratchy — it’s stronger than wool and it’s much lighter weight,” says Powers.
The products at Everything Alpaca range from socks, slippers, caps, ponchos, baby and children’s items, elegant women’s coats and jackets, men’s coats and stuffed animals, to blankets and rugs.
Year-Round Demand
Powers will be at the Farmers Market this year, because she says, people buy alpaca products year-round. “They know winter’s coming, eventually, and they might not get another chance to buy quality alpaca.”
The other yarn store in Castle Rock closed recently so Powers is starting to expand to meet demand. While Everything Alpaca majors in alpaca yarns, the store now includes four other natural fibers: extra fine merino, cotton, silks and some bamboo.
Learn the Art
For those who want to learn the fiber arts, instructors at Everything Alpaca teach classes in spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, felting, and hand loom-knitting; beginner through advanced.
Whether you’re a yarn junkie, a fine fashion shopper or just a curiosity seeker, there’s much to see and feel at Everything Alpaca. Stop in and say hello Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Crystal Valley in Castle Rock
The master-planned community of Crystal Valley is so close to downtown Castle Rock you can pop over at a moment’s notice for a quick meal or a stroll through the shops and boutiques. If you don’t live here yet, visit the sales office of Richmond American Homes to see the latest floor plans in both ranch and two-story models, priced from the $300s.
