Businesses cut niche in County craft market
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Two distinctly different businesses with a similar customer base have weaved a unique partnership, opening shop just behind the China Pearl at 733 Main Street.
Owners Sylvia Buob and Michelle Goldman have created a crafting paradise for all who enjoy working with needles — whether for knitting or sewing.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
GRAND OPENING — Fiberphilia North, owned by Michelle Goldman, and Garden Gate Fabrics, owned by Sylvia Buob, officially opened for business at 733 Main Street during a grand opening celebration on Oct. 1. Present for the festivities, hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, were, from left: Chamber member Kim Smith, Isaac Goldman, Jeff Goldman, Michelle Goldman, shopper Josephine Holmes of Houlton, Sylvia Buob, shopper Deannie Long of Houlton, employee Alex Cheney, Chamber member Stacy Shaw, employee M.E. Harrison, Chamber member Billie Brodsky and Sheila Belyea.
“I’ve been in business for four years — had the shop at my house until recently. I decided to buy Sheila Belyea’s shop because she wanted to retire and I had previous experience as an assistant manager at House of Fabrics in Brunswick and briefly here before they closed,” said Buob, owner of Garden Gate Fabrics.
Buob said since her kids were all about to graduate, the time was right to expand her business.
“The timing seemed really good for me. Since I’ve been sewing for over 40 years, I was interested in getting other people back into sewing,” she said.
Goldman is the owner of Fiberphilia North, the knitting supply side of the business.
“I started Fiberphilia in Orono five years ago. I purchased the former Yarns, Glass and More from Tony Burgess and Glenn Kapp in August,” said Goldman, who teaches knitting, embroidery and needle lace and offers lectures on the history of textiles throughout the state.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
CHEKCING OUT PATTERNS at the newly-opened Fiberphilia North in Presque Isle is Caribou resident Vicki Bickford.
Sharing floor space makes perfect sense to Goldman, who’s been knitting since she was a child.
“We are actually operating two shops in one space. There’s a certain synergy to having our inventories available to customers in one location. Folks who do any sort of fiber art tend to do more than one,” explained Goldman.
Buob said it was her daughter, Alex Cheney, who introduced her to Goldman.
“We know each other because my daughter, Alex, buys yarn at her shop. One day Michelle called me and said, ‘Guess what I’ve just done?’ I couldn’t guess and she told me she’d bought the yarn shop in our mall. She’d been teaching classes for them when she came up to see her son, who goes to MSSM. She wanted to move the shop out of the mall and asked if I would be interested in sharing a space because we are in shops that have similar clients,” said Buob, agreeing the two would be a good fit.
Goldman scoped out the space, which met with Buob’s approval.
“We’ll have her yarn, needlework, DMC, knitting books and notions, as well as my fabric, sewing and quilting notions, books and more. We’ll both be offering classes and open studio, which is where people can just come and work on any project,” said Buob, noting at present she doesn’t carry sewing machines but “would love to someday, if we can find the right person to run that aspect.”
If customer traffic during their grand opening ceremony, hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce Oct. 1, was any indication of their future success, the shops will do great. A steady stream of shoppers from all over the County and beyond visited during the event, with sales occurring throughout.
Anita Dow, of Perham, was one of many to stop by the shop.
“I attended the quilt weekend at the Northeastland Hotel this year with about 18 other quilters. We had a blast. This is a convenient location with a great selection of products,” said Dow.
Nan Pelletier, of Fort Kent, made the trip south to see what was available.
“I’ve been sewing for years. It’s really no distance to travel, when you’re coming to a place like this,” said Pelletier, as she and her friend, Sharon Pelkey, of Mapleton, joined Dow in looking over some sewing notions.
“My niece came up from Bangor to check out the businesses too,” said Pelletier.
“I made my first quilt at 25 and have sewed off and on since. I made my kids’ clothes when they were little,” said Pelkey.
Yarn enthusiasts were also on hand for the grand opening.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
THE CUTTING TABLE had steady traffic, as customers lined up to have their favorite material cut to order during Garden Gate Fabrics recent grand opening. Pictured at the head of the line is Sue White, as she waits for Josh Cheney to measure and cut her material, while Alex Cheney, to Josh’s right, assists another customer.
“I’ve been crocheting since I was 5, been knitting for four years. I make stuff to sell, as well as for my own use,” said Vicki Bickford, of Caribou.
Josephine Holmes and Deannie Long made the trip from Houlton to check things out.
“What a great idea. Everything you need in one place,” said Holmes.
Buob said crafting with fabric never goes out of style.
“I think fabric is attractive to a lot of people just for the beauty. Many people remember their mothers or grandmothers sewing for them or teaching them to sew. There are so many things that can be done with fabric. New patterns come out daily; it’s amazing,” said Buob.
With the economy on the downside, Buob said many people sew for pleasure.
“People want to entertain themselves and they get something out of it too, which is a plus. Many want to give more personalized gifts or just need a creative outlet. Anyone can sew; everyone is teachable. It’s a useful skill to have. It’s a great hobby to have and serves as an alternate outlet to television and video games,” Buob said.
Goldman agrees with Buob’s views on crafting.
“The fiber arts are a creative form of entertainment. The skills needed to be successful are easily acquired and therefore appeal to a broad range of people. They can be social activities or done alone at home, so they’re wonderful hobbies that follow the crafter throughout his or her life span,” said Goldman.
Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can also be made to accommodate those who can’t visit during the regular hours. For more information, call Garden Gate at 764-3800 or Fiberphilia at 764-7577.
