With large-scale discount retailers in cities the size of Albert Lea, shoppers less often need a trip to Mankato or Rochester. But the one problem with these giants is that they have a little bit of everything, but they specialize in nothing, which is where specialty shops such as Fountain of Memories Scrapbooking in Albert Lea’s Skyline Plaza find a niche.

Fountain of Memories Scrapbooking has been in business for a little over seven months. Having seen the store’s inventory, it is obvious that if you are someone who likes scrapbooking, this is the only store you will ever have to visit. If they don’t have it, it hasn’t been made.

Nancy Larson and her family opened the store after her daughter suggested it could become a successful family business.

“I have always been interested in genealogy, keeping family records and memories, so we turned a hobby into a business,” Larson said. “Business has been pretty good. The longer we are here the more people are finding out about us.

“People that come here like to have their pictures in order, not sitting somewhere in the basement in a box.”

Scrapbooking is a popular hobby that is finding roots in more and more communities. But according to Larson, don’t confuse today’s scrapbook with yesterday’s photo album.

“When I was a child we had photo albums, but this is so much more,” said Larson. “It’s a good way for people to pass down their history to future generations; everyone loves looking at pictures.”

Larson concedes that if you are looking for scrapbooking materials that there are items to be found at the big retail stores.

“Nothing like we have here though,” Larson said. “In the past if you wanted to make a really nice scrapbook you would have to travel to one of the bigger cities, maybe even Minneapolis to find everything you would need. We have everything right here in Albert Lea at Fountain of Memories Scrapbooking that you could ever possibly want. There’s no reason to go out of town anymore.”

Whether it’s just keeping your photos in order or following a child’s athletic career, people can find Fountain of Memories Scrapbooking in the Skyline Plaza.

Fountain of Memories Scrapbooking is open for business Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.