Wool works wonders for over 30 years

Sheepskin Loft in Lloydminster celebrated their 30th anniversary of providing anything wool in the border city. The wool connoisseurs started their decades-old business with a simple idea.

“My aunt had a store in Kelowna, British Columbia, called Sheepskin Boutique,” said Colena Weimer, owner of Sheepskin Loft. “She asked me if I would like to open one in Lloydminster. Since it’s much colder here, she thought it would do really well.”

In November 1994, Weimer opened a small seasonal store in the LloydMall featuring wool products.

“It was so fun being in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of Christmas,” recalled Weimer. “People loved our unique, natural products. They are so beneficial and different from anything else.”

The first two years were busy as the store was a popular stop for Christmas shoppers. Then, in 1996, Weimer opened a year-round store for a brief period. She found a small space beside Cliff Rose For Clothes, but that didn’t last long.

“We moved to 49 Ave. in 1997, but we knew we needed more space,” she said.

In 2002, Weimer made another move with her store. She purchased an acreage about 20 minutes northeast of Lloydminster. There, she built a garage with an 800-square-foot loft on top.

“Finally, we had a year-round location. It was exciting to meet so many people and help them with their purchases,” she said.

For six years, Sheepskin Loft operated from the country location. The business grew, and Weimer set up at many local Christmas craft shows as well. The business, however, had to change again in 2010.

“An incredible opportunity came up to open a year-round location in Lloydminster,” reminisces Weimer. “We’ve been in the same location ever since.”

In 2023, Sheepskin Loft expanded, again, adding 1,400 sq. ft. to the store.

“The support we’ve had over the years has been amazing,” she said. “We’re so grateful to the community for helping us grow.”

But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. There have been difficult times, too. One of the hardest moments came during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was really sad when we had to close,” Weimer said. “It was uncertain and tough, but we didn’t give up.”

Thanks to their online presence, they were able to stay connected with customers.

Looking back over the past 30 years, Weimer reflects on how much Sheepskin Loft has grown. The business began with a small selection of sheepskin and wool slippers and expanded to include many new products.

“We’ve added many brands and products to our store over the years,” she said. “We want to continue supporting local artisans and carry their products. The goal is to keep giving back to our customers who have been with us from the start.”

A big part of Sheepskin Loft’s success is family support. Weimer's daughter, Kaleen Bell, joined the business in 2017. She was instrumental in launching the online store and growing the business with technology and social media.

“Kaleen is the key troubleshooter in our business. She’s so dedicated and has been essential to our growth,” Weimer said.

Her son, James Greenhough, has also been involved over the years, creating websites and helping with trade shows.

“James helped with the kiosk and worked on websites, but Kaleen really took things to the next level with the online store,” Weimer said.

Looking forward, the mother and daughter duo hope Sheepskin Loft will continue to grow.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” said Weimer. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years. We started with mostly slippers, and now we offer so much more. I hope we can keep supporting local artisans and continue to give back to our loyal customers.”

Sheepskin Loft’s success is built on the dedication and hard work of Weimer and her family. The community’s support of wool has been key to their long-lasting success.

“Thank you for supporting us for so long,” said Weimer.

With 30 years under their belt, Sheepskin Loft shows no signs of slowing down.

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