SPENCER — Although Anne and Andrew Waters have moved to South Carolina, the Green Goat Gallery will continue selling art made in North Carolina and handcrafted jewelry under the new ownership of Brian and Jenni Pfaff.
The Pfaffs and Waterses, who are close friends, were already working together before the gallery changed hands Aug. 1. The Pfaffs last year moved their yarn shop — TranqWool Knitting Provisions — from Mocksville Avenue in Salisbury into the Green Goat, across from the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer.
Then, when the Waterses moved to Spartanburg this summer, the Pfaffs bought “the Goat,” as the gallery is affectionately called. They plan to celebrate the marriage of the yarn shop and gallery with a grand re-opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
The Blue Ewe Yoga Studio, which was owned and operated by Anne Waters in the rear of the building, is for sale.
Anne Waters made a name for the gallery, one the Pfaffs say they want to honor and preserve.
“I’ve always liked the feel of the store and the artists that she brought in and the niche that she produced with the shop,” Jenni Pfaff said. “There are a lot of galleries in Salisbury, but none like the Green Goat.
“That’s part of why we bought it — to keep that niche. I want to keep it outside the mainstream a little bit.”
The Pfaffs said they plan to take the Goat on a new journey while continuing the gallery’s tradition of offering quirky, fun, artworks and gifts with a focus on North Carolina and local artists.
“There are some pieces in this store that you can’t get anywhere else,” Jenni said. “The jewelry is all original. If you buy a piece in this store, no one else will ever have it.”
The Waterses still own the historic Sands Building with portrait artist Cara Reische and her husband, architect Jon Palmer, who both have studios upstairs.
The downstairs is split evenly between yarn and art. The Pfaffs have maintained the warm, inviting feel in the building and have added a seating area near the front for knitters and art sales by appointment after hours.
The gallery will carry between 15 and 20 artists, including new artists Ray Earnhardt, a blacksmith from Faith, and James Karner, a photographer from Charlotte. Customers still can find works by many of the artists previously represented by Waters.
Just as TranqWool offers knitting classes, the Goat will offer artist workshops. While the businesses remain separate, customers who buy something from each shop now have to make only one transaction instead of two.
Blue Ewe Yoga is available for purchase, and terms are negotiable, Anne Waters said.
“It is my sincere hope — and the hope of many dedicated Rowan and Davidson County yogis — that an aspiring, gifted yoga teacher will decide to take over the Blue Ewe and continue to teach in this warm, unique space,” she said.
For more information, email Waters at aaewaters@att.net or call 864-345-2734. 
The Waterses moved to Spartanburg when Andrew was named new executive director for the Spartanburg Area Conservancy. Waters leads the organization’s efforts to protect and conserve land for Spartanburg area residents, landowners and visitors.
Waters had served as operations director for the LandTrust for Central North Carolina in Salisbury.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.