Twenty seven years ago when I was trying to decide whether or not to open a quilt shop I remember thinking I didn't want to be sixty and regret that I'd never had a shop of my own. Oh, I'd started and managed a shop for someone else, but there is just nothing quite like having a store of your own, or so I imagined.
This is me in the early 80's (just before I opened Strawberry Patches) showing off my creations at a craft show. That's how I got started - sewing and selling things I made. Do you remember those decorated hats and hoop art? We thought they were lovely back then. We were making baby bedding way back then too!
I've been in this business for nearly half of my life and have been loving pretty fabrics and sewing since I was a little girl. Now that I'm over sixty I can't imagine my life without Strawberry Patches. I'm so glad I was naive enough to think I could do this. I've met the most wonderful people here; from the ladies I work with to the ladies and gentlemen who are our cherished customers and friends. Strawberry Patches has been and is a very important part of my life.
This is the postcard we sent out announcing our opening. A little worse for the wear (but then who isn't after hanging around for nearly thirty years?). My best friend Beverly started Strawberry Patches with me and then sold her interest to me three years later so she could spend more time with her boys. Beverly still makes most of our kids clothes that we display in the store and her husband Dennis is the craftsman who built all of our beautiful cabinets. Gosh, reading this postcard makes me realize that some things haven't changed. We still offer the best quality fabric and trim, the latest patterns, hard to find supplies and accessories and I think we still have impeccable models. That makes me smile to think we've stayed true to who we started out to be.
On April 6th & 7th we will be celebrating Strawberry Patches' 27th birthday by having a party and sale with 27% off all purchases*. This is our way of saying thank you for your friendship and support. We hope you'll join us in the store or on line for this sale. For on line orders, just say "Happy Birthday" in the comment box and we'll take 27% off your order at the register.
We hope you can come to our party. After all, without all of you there would be no reason to celebrate !
Encourage one another,
*Sale excludes: Sewing machines, sewing machine service, sewing furniture, blocks of the month, custom work and classes. Limited to stock on hand - no special orders or presales please.
