LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The address has changed, and the inventory has grown, but the story of Worlds Apart remains as special as it was 47 years ago.
"Oh, I don’t think we have enough time, it would take hours to start from the beginning," said Howard Rackmil, who's still at the helm of Worlds Apart all these years later.
A former Peace Corps volunteer, Rackmil returned from Ecuador in the 70s with a handful of hand-knit sweaters, and from there, his business was born.
The address has changed, and the inventory has grown, but the story of Worlds Apart remains as special as it was 47 years ago.
You'll find the shop, filled with beautiful sweaters, toys, and decor, tucked away in Lexington's Chevy Chase neighborhood.
Rackmil said, "We went from doing hand knit sweaters to apparel to clothing from around the world, and it's been a fascinating journey."
Over the years, Rackmil has learned the ebbs and flows of business and come to appreciate the "most wonderful time of the year."
"It's always our busiest time of year," he said, working with one of his longtime employees to organize the shop ahead of Small Business Saturday.
Since Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010, Americans have spent over $200 billion at mom-and-pop shops like Worlds Apart. According to the small business index, 8in 10 small retail
businesses rely on these holiday sales to meet their annual profit goals.
"So it brings a lot of shoppers in," said Rackmil. "People could go Amazon, but it's not the same experience, and people like to support local businesses."
Rackmil said inflation or not, "Around this time of year, if they like it, it doesn't matter." That's especially true when consumers are purchasing from a familiar face.
"I'm very thankful for all our friends out there who support Worlds Apart," said Rackmil.
