October 25 continued…Locations

The fun began in 2005, with the start up of the business…..Originally “The Drapers of MT Macedon”

The building located at 789 Mt Macedon rd, Mt Macedon was far from perfect but the rent was reasonable at the time and there was nothing available in Gisborne.

The premise was rustic but had a lot of appeal, a Coonara the only form of heating along with a very small open fire (in the classroom),

and of course no such thing as airconditioning for the summer  , lucky the shop was high in the hills so not as hot as it could have been.

Holes in the floor boards, strange beings in the roof, a front door that didnt lock properly, a storage room that was detached from the shop and access was via a “suss” walkway….

It was quite exciting to stockpile fabric before  opening,  l had no idea what l was doing…..

The fabric reps were great  Nikki  and Big Al from XLN,     Gordon Heathcote who had many caps Liberty, Vic Textiles, Dayview, LLoyd Curzon,   the other Alan was initially Leutenegger , Richard from Birch, then Dana from SSS and then Birch, Rhys originally from Kay Toby now PK fabrics.

There were others ,but these guys were my main stay and advisors, always happy to give their time,  we did also solve world problems even a few domestic ones…

These guys dont often get thanked for the work they do…so now l am saying thankyou to each of them for their contribution to my business.

Mt Macedon was a temporary stay ..some 3 and a half years….when a shop became available in the Main st of Gisborne.

32A Aitken st…

A totally different feel and look, but an essential part of the business to grow and maybe get some more bills paid, and a name change to what l am now “Patch n Quilt”

The beauty of this shop was the 2 big glass windows that displays could be done in, l did enjoy this task as it meant l had a theme and a new quilt etc…….

It was soon found after many damaged quilts, that only one window could be used for display…the sun would beam in through the window closest to the driveway, and then cause sun damage to the quilts.

I burned a lot of hours in this shop, and felt at times that an installation of a shower and bed would probably have been easier.

Business grew in this location, and in view of the fact that my lease was up and wasnt getting renewed ( as the shop was being sold)…

I looked for another premise…….this location in Prince st, is where l still am today ( courtesy of a fantastic landlord ) who continually looks after me.

Geee there has been a lot……and many rabbit holes to dive into….

Some are better left unsaid, while others l will cheer from the top of the hill about……..

Hope your enjoying the read, will pop in again tomorrow with some more stories.

Cheers

Mary