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Will really affect the local economy (Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 11/16/19 1:49 PM ET
Saw this on FB a day ago:
"Dear Friends of Keepsake Quilting,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that we will be closing our Keepsake Quilting and Pineapple Fabrics stores in Center Harbor, New Hampshire on February 28, 2020. When we purchased Keepsake Quilting in April, 2018, we had high hopes that we would be able to restore the Center Harbor location to its former status as “America’s Favorite Quilt Shop” and keep the location open even though we are based in North Carolina. Despite our best efforts to increase store hours, remerchandise, introduce special sales and add a beautiful new Pineapple Fabrics shop (which received a Better Homes & Gardens Top Shop award), not to mention the incredible support from our customers in and around New Hampshire, we have found that we can no longer remain in Center Harbor.
The good news is that both Keepsake Quilting and Pineapple Fabrics are thriving. Keepsake’s revamped catalogs and online sales are gaining ground every month and Pineapple Fabrics is growing ever-more popular. Our decision to move all of the manufacturing and fulfillment elements of the business to Archdale, North Carolina a few months ago is increasing efficiencies and further securing the future of both businesses. And, we are committed to moving the businesses further into the digital space. Rest assured that Keepsake Quilting and Pineapple Fabrics are not going anywhere. We are simply dealing with a set of circumstances that makes centralizing all of our operations in North Carolina our best option.
We would like to thank all of our employees and customers who have stuck by us through this transition. Change is never easy and we deeply appreciate the loyalty you all have shown to us. There is still time to visit us in Center Harbor. Stay tuned for more information about special sales and other events at this location through email and social media.
Just remember, that even as we bid Center Harbor farewell, we will still strive to be “America’s Favorite Quilt Shop” through our catalogs and website, and will be here to serve you 24/7.
Thank you"
I remember when I was into quilting and the absolute mecca that Keepsake Quilting was. Back in the 80s and early 90s, under it's original founders it was the most incredible store. It sat and still does right on the harbor in Moutonboro, NH, with a commanding view of Lake Winnepasaukee. The porch was lined with rockers for bored husbands to sit on an watch the yachts come and go. It became a real tourist center and money maker for this small lakeside town. The inside of the store took my breath away the first time I went in. I was a quilter back then and had never seen so much fabric, so many cutting tables, so many Olfa mats being used by staff and such knowledgeable associated. Incredible quilts hung from the ceiling, the rafters, the staircases, the balcony. I was dizzy on notions and threads the likes of which I had never seen. I tried to get there, an hour ride at the time, whenever I could, which was not often enough. Small children at home did that to me. Time passed. I got back to garment making and we moved to NY. 13 years later we left NY to move back to NH but this time we were 35 minutes from Keepsake and I couldn't wait to go visit. What a disappointment! I was heartbroken. I knew there had been a couple of owners since the originals and it showed. I walked in, walked around and bought nothing. There was just no excitement to the place, no personality when years back personality was overflowing. In the early years, the merchandising was magnificent. Now I found it downright dull. We left.
I am not surprised to hear of this closing and it clearly is a consolidation of sorts for the owner toward their headquarters in another state as well as a commitment to their online sales. That's a good thing. They weren't very good at retail. So sad to see another store close and also very sad to see this one as I know what a vital part of this community's tourist economy it was.
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"Dear Friends of Keepsake Quilting,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that we will be closing our Keepsake Quilting and Pineapple Fabrics stores in Center Harbor, New Hampshire on February 28, 2020. When we purchased Keepsake Quilting in April, 2018, we had high hopes that we would be able to restore the Center Harbor location to its former status as “America’s Favorite Quilt Shop” and keep the location open even though we are based in North Carolina. Despite our best efforts to increase store hours, remerchandise, introduce special sales and add a beautiful new Pineapple Fabrics shop (which received a Better Homes & Gardens Top Shop award), not to mention the incredible support from our customers in and around New Hampshire, we have found that we can no longer remain in Center Harbor.
The good news is that both Keepsake Quilting and Pineapple Fabrics are thriving. Keepsake’s revamped catalogs and online sales are gaining ground every month and Pineapple Fabrics is growing ever-more popular. Our decision to move all of the manufacturing and fulfillment elements of the business to Archdale, North Carolina a few months ago is increasing efficiencies and further securing the future of both businesses. And, we are committed to moving the businesses further into the digital space. Rest assured that Keepsake Quilting and Pineapple Fabrics are not going anywhere. We are simply dealing with a set of circumstances that makes centralizing all of our operations in North Carolina our best option.
We would like to thank all of our employees and customers who have stuck by us through this transition. Change is never easy and we deeply appreciate the loyalty you all have shown to us. There is still time to visit us in Center Harbor. Stay tuned for more information about special sales and other events at this location through email and social media.
Just remember, that even as we bid Center Harbor farewell, we will still strive to be “America’s Favorite Quilt Shop” through our catalogs and website, and will be here to serve you 24/7.
Thank you"
I remember when I was into quilting and the absolute mecca that Keepsake Quilting was. Back in the 80s and early 90s, under it's original founders it was the most incredible store. It sat and still does right on the harbor in Moutonboro, NH, with a commanding view of Lake Winnepasaukee. The porch was lined with rockers for bored husbands to sit on an watch the yachts come and go. It became a real tourist center and money maker for this small lakeside town. The inside of the store took my breath away the first time I went in. I was a quilter back then and had never seen so much fabric, so many cutting tables, so many Olfa mats being used by staff and such knowledgeable associated. Incredible quilts hung from the ceiling, the rafters, the staircases, the balcony. I was dizzy on notions and threads the likes of which I had never seen. I tried to get there, an hour ride at the time, whenever I could, which was not often enough. Small children at home did that to me. Time passed. I got back to garment making and we moved to NY. 13 years later we left NY to move back to NH but this time we were 35 minutes from Keepsake and I couldn't wait to go visit. What a disappointment! I was heartbroken. I knew there had been a couple of owners since the originals and it showed. I walked in, walked around and bought nothing. There was just no excitement to the place, no personality when years back personality was overflowing. In the early years, the merchandising was magnificent. Now I found it downright dull. We left.
I am not surprised to hear of this closing and it clearly is a consolidation of sorts for the owner toward their headquarters in another state as well as a commitment to their online sales. That's a good thing. They weren't very good at retail. So sad to see another store close and also very sad to see this one as I know what a vital part of this community's tourist economy it was.
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http://lasewist.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 11/16/19 6:10 PM ET
Hey, thanks for posting, appreciate your memories and thoughts. Changes like this should be marked.
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Surviving is important but thriving is elegant.
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou
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