for a while instagram fed me posts/reels of people doing "visible mending" so it's definitely a trend. I had a book from the library on the topic, but never got around to opening it. (I have two items of clothing I'd like to repair, they aren't knitting though. And Matthew wants to repair socks.) I'm not saying this to suggest you need to learn the skills, but rather than it's in the zeitgeist so I bet the knitting store owner could direct you to someone who WOULD be able & willing to do it. Or at least point you to an online forum where you could look for local folks to do it.