This past weekend, my husband and I were in Albany, NY... originally for a tool store but then we passed a sign that made us add a stop to our plans. The sign said Alfred's Fabrics. I would have sworn I was in that store many many years ago so I just had to stop. I may have been in the store but it had been in a different location. Any way you look at it I am thrilled that we stopped.
I met two really really nice employees, Laraine and Anna Marie who were more than happy to help customers... not something you find in all the big box stores. But even better than the nice ladies was the assortment of fabric, trims and notions. I'm sure other areas of the country don't get as thrilled about a fabric store as I do but I have to travel 64 miles to get a zipper, so a fully stocked fabric store is a real treat. I hadn't seen the assortment of gorgeous buttons since Rhinebeck, NY had a Five and Ten. Alfred's had tubes of buttons with one button on the outside so you knew what the tube held and stacks of the tubes... all beautiful designer buttons to choose from so you can make a truly original garment. They also had spools and spools of trims... not the standard trims that you find every where but trims that truly inspired your creative spirit. The experience was almost as amazing as being in the Fashion District in NYC, which only surpassed Alfred's because of the size of the store verses city blocks of fabric and trims.
How is missed Alfred's for so many years I don't know, but I do know I am going to be doing some research to see if I can find more fabric stores.
Comments
wow – albany , ny ! i live 90 or so miles north of there. next time i am in albany i will have to find this store!!
i enjoy your articles and sewing lessons!
martha
I can totally relate to your excitement in finding Alfred’s. These independent fabric stores are like what fabric stores used to be before the big chains came along. Just last year I had the same experience as you did. On our usual route to travel 4 hours south to see family I decided to check out a store just 1/2 mile off the route. Lo and behold it was not just a “feed and farm store” but also had the biggest fabric department I’ve seen in years! It was like what you described. I was in heaven!
This place sounds just like the Sewing Studio in Maitland, FL (Orlando) and Britex in San Francisco. Oh, to be so lucky and live near these stores!
Debbie, I always enjoy your posts. I look forward to finding some of the older fabric stores when I travel also. Are there any Piece Goods stores still around any where?
not in my area of NY…
We also have a great fabric store in Gastonia S.C. It’s about a half hour from me and if you can’t get it there you can’t get it any where. I know the store in Maitland Fl. since I went there when we lived in Orlando and I miss it very much.
Fabric store in Gastonia, NC is Mary Jo’s Fabrics. webste is http://www.maryjos2.reachlocal.net. Kay’s right, if you can’t find it there you can’t find it anywhere.