It really feels official now that the sign is on the door! I have to pinch myself. Ever since I started with Cherrywood 11 years ago, I had wondered if we would ever have a store front. There have been COUNTLESS requests and phone calls for the address to Cherrywood so that our customers could come see us! We never got through a show without hearing "oh I can stop at your place on my way up to my cabin this summer!" And we always had to explain: "we are not open to the public. We are too busy (and messy) dyeing fabric to have a retail store. We only sell online and at quilt shows..."
Well, that has all changed with the official opening of "The Cherrywood Store!" Here is how it all came about.... "Colorz for Quilts" is one of the two shops in Brainerd, Minnesota (our hometown). Colorz has carried a small amount of Cherrywood in the shop since they opened. Well, a few months ago, Susan Lommen (the shop's owner) found a better location with more space. She asked if we would be interested in renting some of that space and setting up a store-within-a-store. We quickly said "YES!!" Her friendly staff will provide customer service and expertise, and Dee and I will keep it stocked with colorful Inspiration! We won't actually be working at the store, but we are close enough that we can get there quickly if needed. We will still be spending our time at the studio dyeing, shipping, packing and traveling to shows, etc.
And no, the Cherrywood studio is still not open to the public. :-( BUT if you and your friends want to schedule a road trip to Brainerd to come see us, we can now meet you at The Store! And if you have LOTS of friends, you could plan a bus trip to Brainerd! Start out at Colorz, spend a few hours shopping and visiting. Then run over to China Buffet or Pizza Hut for lunch. Then check out The Hearth Room next door for beautiful home decor and get a pedicure down the way. Then you can visit "Country Fabrics and Quilts" on 6th street (turn south at the historic water tower). We are so lucky to have two quilt shops in town with totally different styles!
Downtown Brainerd has several interesting shops such as "The Old Open Window" (one-of-a-kind gifts and vintage inspired clothing) and "Glaze to Amaze" (paint your own ceramics). There is an endless supply of restaurants and hotels to choose from. Or you could stay at one if the resorts in the area (Craguns, Breezy Point, Ruttgers...) Boating, golfing, fishing and Brainerd International Raceway in the summer... Snowmobiling, cross country skiing and ice fishing this time of year (The world's largest fishing tournament is happening here in just 2 weeks!)
Okay, now I sound like a travel agent, but I am really just excited to invite you all to our neck of the woods. I love it here and I know you will too. It is so so wonderful to see the whole Cherrywood Collection in one spot. We even have a little table and chairs set up so you can sit and plan projects (or collapse in amazement when you see all the color!!). Color, inspiration, ideas, color, texture, color.... Yummmm!
I will keep you posted on what we are adding to The Cherrywood Store and classes we are setting up.
Colorz Quilt Shop/ The Cherrywood Store
14091 Baxter Drive
Suite 112
Baxter, Minnesota 56425
See you there!
Karla and Dee
