South Whidbey Island has many unique retail stores, and now there is an exceptional place to shop for a large selection of yarns and have a drink afterwards in a cozy bar.
Skein and Tipple was created by Marsha and Matt Owen, who were married in 2019 and decided to create a special business and a home together on Whidbey Island. The store and bar were opened within the last year. Marsha is noticing a number of regulars who come by to see the large selection of yarns she has created and to enjoy a special cocktail prepared by Matt.
Marsha and Matt each had different careers before creating their joint venture. Marsha was originally from Minnesota, but her grandparents lived in Seattle since World War II. Marsha’s professional life, before Skein and Tipple, was as a veterinary nurse. After living in the Midwest, Marsha decided she wanted to be living somewhere by the water. She found a job in Everett in 2006, and later found a second job at the Langley Post Office. For several years, she worked as a substitute at the Langley Post Office, but then got a full time carrier position in 2017. She rented a cabin at Columbia Beach and loves the way she has a view of the Cascade Mountains and the Sound from her front yard.
Marsha taught herself to create the yarn, and items made from the yarn, by studying books about the subject beginning in 2004.
Matt and Marsha met in 2016, and in 2018 Marsha says, “He took me to Paris and proposed.” With that kind of a proposal, she was sold. They married on Columbia Beach in front of Marsha’s house.
Matt had a dream of creating a “retirement career” doing something that was fun. Prior to “retirement,” Matt worked in restaurants and had a design business. After marrying Marsha, he decided to focus on establishing a bar where he could serve cocktails, as well as a complete range of drinks.
Skein and Tipple was created from scratch. Marsha focused on her love of working with yarn and items made from the yarn. Matt focused on developing a tasting room that features a range of alcoholic drinks including original cocktails he has created.
To get the full experience of Skein and Tipple, people are encouraged to look at the broad range of yarns in the front of the store before walking through to the comfortable bar in the back.
Skein and Tipple is located in Clinton at 8912 Highway 525 in what used to be a Whidbey Telecom office, just a short ways up from the ferry terminal (next to Island Nosh).
The yarn shop is open Tuesday 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (which is also “Knit night” at the shop), and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bar hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to midnight. There is live music in the bar every night except Tuesday when the local knitters gather.
To find out more about Skein and Tipple and to see their lineup of entertainers, visit the website: www.skeinandtipple.com.
