Amusement Park? What Amusement Park?

Lila and Claudine’s sits right across Mahtomedi Avenue from the site of the Old Wildwood Amusement Park, begun by the Minneapolis & St. Paul Suburban Railroad Company in 1892. For many years, thousands of people paid 10 cents to take the train from the Twin Cities to Mahtomedi to spend the day riding the roller coaster, Ferris wheel and swimming in White Bear Lake. 

In 1927, it was the first park ever to feature the Tilt-a-Whirl.  The building that Lila and Claudine’s is in today was built in 1926 to store the various vehicles that were used to bring vacationers out to the park.  Then, in 1932, the golden era of the Wildwood Amusement Park came to an end and the park closed.

Although the actual Landmark no longer exists, the Amusement Park was important in shaping the Mahtomedi community.  Fiber and conversation is paramount at Lila and Claudine’s and woven into conversations is the history of the Mahtomedi/White Bear Lake community.  It becomes a springboard for stories and opportunities to get to know other fiber maniacs while knitting at Lila and Claudine’s.  

2014 marks the 4th year we have participated in the Shop Hop.  We can’t wait to see all of you this year!  We will have the usuals; patterns, yarn, prizes and trinkets, but we also promise the unsuspected….

Polly Hart and Kirsten Skoglund
Aka Lila and Claudine
Lilaandclaudines.com

Lila and Claudine's invites you to come and play during the 2013 Minnesota Yarn Shop Hop!

So What is Lila and Claudine's all about?  What happens there and most importantly Why should you check us out?  What we have learned in our 4 years of business is that there are many levels to a yarn shop. 

On one level we sell yarn and fiber and all things that relate but truly that really is just scratching the surface.

We work every day to provide a warm, vibrant environment that you can be inspired, encouraged and maybe smile a time or two. We are a place where you can sit down, join in on conversation, and get help if you need it.

We have been called a new "fort" for people to play in...because after all, when you love to create, it is all playing; fun and satisfying.  We are always creating community, a place to be known and welcomed each time you visit.  As one of our Kid Knitter's said, " If you know how to knit, you're pretty much set for life!" We could not agree more!

Knitting, crocheting and fiber in general is our passion at Lila and Claudine's.  And it is so fun for us to share our passion with you.  In fact, that is our goal; to have each one of you be or become crazy about fiber, either knitting, crocheting, spinning, felting or weaving. 

This is our third year participating in the shop hop.  We see these four days as a way of celebrating the depth of creativity in the metro area yarn community.  We encourage you to get with your friends, plan the weekend,  choose your route and come see us.  We promise you will not be disappointed!

Polly and Kirsten, aka Lila and Claudine
Lilaandclaudines.com

Lila and Claudine's

The sisters tell the story of how Lila and Claudine’s came to be.
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"While we were sitting on the stairs to the lower level of 86 Mahtomedi Ave, a friend said “Why don’t you open a yarn store here?”  After swallowing hard,  our response in unison was we could never do that.  There was just no way.
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But the seed had been planted and over the next few months the yarn shop began to take on a life of its own.  Yarn was ordered and shelves were filled.
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Then magically, we opened the doors of Lila and Claudine’s Yarn & Gifts, named after our grandmothers in March, 2009.  And we have been blessed with the most awesome customers ever since.  Thanks to all who have supported us.  We are having so much fun."
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Kirsten (Sister) & Polly (Sister)