A Day on the Road
My friend Anitia closed her quilt shop in Mankato last July. Cost of rent and competition didn’t pencil out for her. As it turned out a new doctor came to Madelia from out of state and his wife had always wanted to have a quilt shop. Whatever Anitia had in inventory on her last day was purchased for a new quilt shop in Madelia plus additional newly purchaed inventory of every thing quilt related. Anitia offered to drive from Mankato to Madelia, about 60 miles round trip to help a newbe learn the ropes. It was a full time job as there was no history of owning a quilt shop or how to go about setting one up. The Madelia gal jumped in head first and became a Brother’s sewing machine dealer.
Several of us stitchers, including Anitia, meet once a month in Mankato for lunch and chit chat. As the months have gone by Anitia has shared she has been swamped in Madelia. Inventory coming in, in droves. Brothers dealers are encouraged to carry as least 26 different models of machines and have a licensed repair person for customers. Wow. I had stayed away from the Madelia shop as I have been working out of my stashes, and quite successfully I might add.
Anitia had been inviting me to stop in, in Madelia, as she works Tuesdays and Thursdays. Today was the day. I got rained out in the gardens. The quilt store is beautiful. It is loaded with inventory. The building that the new gal purchased was a revitalized gas station with a service bay. Lots of square footage. Total re-do was done, first class. Business has been very slow. Summers usually are as there is a small window of getting things done with families.
Today Anitia was handing in her three week notice of leaving the Madelia quilt store. She has come to realize that with closing her store and inventory and jumping right in to help in Madelia, she needs some down time. I surely couldn’t blame her. I was tickled that I had chosen today to visit her. The showroom of new machines is beautiful. The quilt fabric is arrayed wonderfully. What is lacking is the clientele. It will be interesting as to how it will turn out. A shop bell needs to ring and ring often to pay the overhead plus inventory. I looked, I touched but I needed nothing.
On a brighter note, I drove over to Fairfax to visit Kersten at her place of employment. It wasn’t exactly on my way home, but I felt it was important to stay in touch. It was a rainy day and the rest of the week was booked. This worked out great.
I had a wonderful day on the road. A bit of encouragement for Anitia as she takes time for herself. Doing what she has been doing in an act of support for someone who had not a clue, can wear on body, soul and mind. My last words as I left her was, “Take care of your mind and your body, it’s the only place you have to live in.”