Story and Photos by Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
January 17, 2024
Sometimes life takes you in a direction you hadn’t planned on or in some cases gives you a big shove down another road. For Kathleen Simington, a life-threatening stint in the hospital in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic set the wheels in motion for creating a new business that has beaten the odds.
Krafts by Kathleen, located at 6518 Massachusetts Ave in New Port Richey, is a local mom-and-pop endeavor that Kathleen and Bill Simington embarked on in 2021 after 20 + years of running a home healthcare business for seniors in area counties.
The decision to pitch it all and start anew came after Kathleen was exposed to the virus during a marketing meeting and in a frightful turn ended up fighting for her life. She made it out of the hospital with some residual health issues, but others didn’t.
“We decided then to move to Tennessee and open a craft store,” Kathleen said.
The adult “kids” in their blended family would have none of it.
“They told us, “You can’t move,” Kathleen said with a chuckle.
So they compromised. Now the two are proprietors of a business that has doubled in size and patrons since moving from their original Main Street location in downtown New Port Richey to what’s turned out to be an optimal spot on Massachusetts Ave.
“We’re the only craft store like this in Citrus, Hernando, Pinellas, and Pasco County,” Kathleen said, adding that with the onslaught of COVID-19, she saw similar crafting shops close in Spring Hill and Pinellas Counties.
What lends to their success?
“It’s because of the classes,” Kathleen said, matter-of-factly, noting that Krafts by Kathleen was launched just as local stores and restaurants were opening back up. “People were tired of staying in and ordering everything online. They wanted to be out. This is a place to be creative and to congregate with like-minded people. Creative people are kinetic – they like to see it, touch it, smell it.”
PHOTO | MICHELLE MILLER
The business boomed so much that Kathleen had to turn students away as they outgrew the space. They mulled over a few locations before landing on a spot sandwiched between two popular local eateries – a Mexican restaurant called La Alameda and Brothers Pizza Which Kathleen says, “Is the closest thing you’re going to get to New York pizza here.”.
“(The new location) is three times the size. Now we have a proper classroom and room for supplies,” Kathleen said, adding that the adjacent businesses help drive foot traffic their way.
On a recent morning, Bill tended his post at the register, exchanging pleasantries with browsing customers and taking calls from students signing up for classes. At the same time, a handful of crafters made Valentine’s Day Cards with Kathleen in the crafting classroom at the back of the store.
Lynn Schroder said she started attending shortly after the craft store opened and attends multiple classes. Yvonne Lauro is another regular who uses what she learns to create some 200 birthday cards for members of the neighborhood yacht club.
“I just love the people here. They’re so friendly,” said Peggy Gleason, a snowbird from Rochester, NY, who makes her Christmas cards each year starting the annual project during the the summer months.
Classes are held Monday through Saturday (click here for schedule) and range from $5 for a morning Cards and Coffee class to a $75 Paper Pack Challenge class. Students can also sign up for specialty classes such as Wine Glass Lamp Painting ($55), Flower Quilling ($35), and Scrapbooking ($25) or simply come for the free Open Studio and Movie Nights.
The store also carries a wide array of crafting supplies and machines as well as an assortment of greeting cards, specialty pens, and candles created by a few local entrepreneurs.
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Bill, who has become famous among students for making the best chicken salad and pulled pork has his own section called “Bites by Bill” which is stocked with a selection of barbecue sauce, rubs, and jellies.
The Simingtons are undoubtedly in it together – in a very real and true “Mom and Pop” sense.
“He has”Bites by Bill,” Kathleen said, “And I have “Krafts by Kathleen.”
Krafts by Kathleen is located in the East Richey Square shopping mall at 6518 Massachusetts Ave, New Port Richey. For information, call (727) 807-5055. Check out classes and get more info on the website at www.kraftsbykathleen.com
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