New alpaca store sees stars in its future

MILLERTON — A new store full of alpaca wool items has opened in downtown Millerton just in time for the cooler months.Copper Star Alpaca is owned and operated by Joe and Barbara Crocco of Copper Star Alpaca Farm in Millerton.“We’re thrilled to be in Millerton,” said Barbara of their new store. “I hope people come to check us out.”The store features a wide selection of products made from alpaca wool, including sweaters, scarves, slippers, hats, coats and blankets. Raw alpaca wool from Copper Star Alpaca Farm is available too.The store also carries knitted baby clothes, fluffy alpaca-hide teddy bears and soft plushy dolls.The alpaca hides come from animals who died naturally. No animals are ever harmed to make alpaca products.Alpaca wool comes in 22 natural colors and is blendable and dyeable, which makes it a very versatile material.Like sheep wool, alpaca wool shrinks if put in the dryer, but the store offers some items that are made dryer-safe.The owners have tried to keep the products in the store as natural and as local as possible. Several of the items for sale were made in neighboring Columbia County. The totes and some of the quilts were handmade by Barbara.The non-alpaca items, including jewelry and goat milk soap, also adhere to the natural, unique, local or handmade themes of the store.Barbara said that she hopes the community will enjoy the products offered in her store while also learning about alpaca, which Barbara says are “wonderful, peaceful animals.”Next year, the Croccos plan to build a mill to process the wool they harvest from their 30 alpaca. They also plan to offer their mill services to the other alpaca farms in the area.Copper Star Alpaca is located on Main Street on the corner of South Center Street. The store officially opened on Saturday, Sept. 3. Their hours will be Thursday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Tours of the Copper Star Alpaca Farm, located on Carson Road, are also available by appointment by calling 518-592-1241.

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