COMMUNITY BUILDING 4
Just think of how many times you have been into MAIN STREET FABRICS and seen the welcoming displays and cheerful shopkeeper CHRISTIE O'KELLY. What a delight.
My on-going question about small businesses in small towns persists so I went to visit her.
A Chamber member, Christie agrees with previous Chamber members, that more members are needed and that bigger businesses need to be drawn not only to Main St. but to the County. “We need more businesses to draw out of town traffic into town.”
Sadly on one hand, Christie had to admit that almost 90% of her business is from out of town. In fact, as we were talking, Becky Johnson of Oxford and her companion got into the conversation. “This is the best shop and I've been shopping here for 25 years! If I can't find it, Christie special orders it for me...the prices are great and you can touch everything. I know they're closed Wednesday so I don't come.” She is an avid sewer and also appreciates all the quilting material and tools available.
Where do local quilters and sewers buy their materials? One fears: on-line. In order to meet your needs, Christie's has kept longer hours, kept the best quality materials, expanded building space, and even returned some $ made back into the business. She has also watched businesses leave the community (most recently MGM and HardWire). She's been in business for over 30 years and has to combat that question in the back of her mind...will we have to move to stay in business? Or will we end up closing because on-line and even lesser quality materials WALMART, hurt storefront businesses.
Other competitors in her business are the throw-away outlets...many don't know how to sew these days (though she does have some classes), and after say 10 days of wearing something...you can get rid of it and get something else.
She sees her business also as a service to our community by “new designs (see CHARGERS) and constantly trying to provide things you can't get elsewhere.” “When TIZZY LIZZY had her wedding program, there was a focus and clearly folks came.” “We also embroider for individuals and businesses and have been doing that for a long time.”
Despite the fact that Becky Johnson's Jackson Stitchery Guild spends 3 days (Deer Camp for women they call it) shopping with Christie every February for years,the going is still hard.
“There are no amenities around Choctaw County to attract folks and so shopping on a quaint Main Street has no appeal.”
So quilters and sewers think twice about where you purchase your materials. Christie reminds us that “Amazon doesn't support your football program.” No, things have to be local. Come on over.
MAIN STREET FABRICS: M,T,TH,FRI 8:30-5:30. SAT 8:30-3. CLOSED WED AND SUNDAY.
BLESSINGS.
