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2010-02-09

2010-01-19

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:00 AM

Photo by Linda Brown/The Ottawa Herald

Jenny Obrecht displays inventory last week at her shop, Aunt Jenny’s Stitch ‘n Stuff, 204 S. Main St., Ottawa. The downtown business opened Tuesday. “I love downtown Ottawa. It’s so beautiful, and I feel so blessed to be able to be here,” Obrecht said.

Fabric store opens on Main Street

By LINDA BROWN, Herald Staff

Sewing at home may be seen by some as a dying art, but that didn’t stop Jenny Obrecht from pursuing her dream of opening her own fabric and needlework store.

“It’s been a long time in coming,” she said. “I fell in love with Ottawa in 1969 when I was a freshman at OU. I’ve just wanted to get back here to settle down. Now, here I am.”

Obrecht’s shop, Aunt Jenny’s Stitch ‘n Stuff, 204 S. Main St., opened Tuesday.

Recognizable brand names in sewing notions and needlework include Coats & Clark, Brewer, DMC Floss, Wright’s Trims and Bindings and Aida cloth for cross stitch.

Obrecht gained practical experience for her retail store by working more than 25 years for Duckwall-Alco and three years for Michael’s Arts and Craft Stores.

A 1973 graduate of Ottawa University, Obrecht taught school in Paola until 1983.

“I made the decision then to pursue a career in retail management and went to work at Alco,” she said “Believe me, I started at the very bottom, but I learned every step of the way.”

Two years ago, a friend told Obrecht she needed to open a fabric store in Ottawa.

“I love downtown Ottawa. It’s so beautiful, and I feel so blessed to be able to be here,” she said.

A crafter herself, Obrecht said she knows there are other crafters in the area and she plans to conduct in-store surveys asking people what other inventory they’d like to see in the shop.

“We, of course, can’t stock to everyone’s liking, but we can special order,” she said.

Along with do-it-yourself materials, Aunt Jenny’s Stitch ’n Stuff will have ready-made items for sale in crafter booths built along the building’s south wall.

Those offerings will include Christmas décor and afghans, etched glass, calligraphy, baskets and scrap booking.

A classroom in the back of the building will allow Obrecht to have project classes.

“I’m hoping to be able to get at least one children’s class together soon for a holiday gift project,” Obrecht said. “The kids could stay here and do their gift while mom and dad do a little downtown shopping.”

Tammy Geiss and Phil Stone will help Obrecht in the shop on a part-time basis.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

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Fabric store opens on Main Street

By LINDA BROWN, Herald Staff

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.