Did you check out Part I of 22481 Shore Center Drive?
Here's one that I don't remember at -all- Minnesota Fabrics.
They became the name on the building at 22481 Shore Center Drive in 1972 - And stayed until 1983.
June 1972 - Now there are FOUR Minnesota Fabrics stores!
In 1976 there are seven stores, and it was Marlo Thomas week.. the whole damn week!!
I'm so happy that 1977 ushered in an official logo and font change. While not fantastic, at least it's better than stock Cooper, and adding a sew-through button seems natural enough.
But by 1980 the button's kind of gone again.
The last ad is from February 1983, and we have one final logo :)
Also they were advertising custom drapery, and calling themselves "Home Deco Center".
I can't say I know much about them, or recall ever hearing of them. I did a single Google search and didn't come up with anything.
Memories, anyone?
Here's one that I don't remember at -all- Minnesota Fabrics.
They became the name on the building at 22481 Shore Center Drive in 1972 - And stayed until 1983.
I'm so happy that 1977 ushered in an official logo and font change. While not fantastic, at least it's better than stock Cooper, and adding a sew-through button seems natural enough.
I can't say I know much about them, or recall ever hearing of them. I did a single Google search and didn't come up with anything.
Memories, anyone?
Hello Jen, Hoping you see my comment two and half years later. Minnesota Fabrics was a large retail fabric chain which at one time had over 100 stores all situated around major Great Lake Cities (along with Minneapolis/St Paul) In the summer of 1984 they entered into an agreement to be sold to Hancock Fabrics with the sale being final January 1, 1985. Hancock kept the stores as Minnesota Fabrics until sometime in the mid-late 90's when they acquired the Northwest Fabrics chain and renewed all the stores Hancock Fabrics. The Home Deco Centers were not in all of the stores--usually 1-3 per market. Those stores carried a HUGE amount of drapery and upholstery fabrics--usually over 1/3 of the store's fabric volume--probably akin to what a Joanne Fabric Superstore has now. In terms of the fabric chains of the time which included the aforementioned plus Sew-Fro Fabrics--Minnesota Fabrics was considered the best to work for. A very 'professional' company. Hancock didn't 'exactly' have that same reputation. And yes, I worked as a store manager for both.
ReplyDeleteHello Anon.
DeleteI love getting comments like yours - loaded with information. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing!
All 4 stores in the ad were former Kroger's. They also took over the one at Willo Plaza in Willoughby some time later.
ReplyDeleteThere was one in Rockville, Maryland in the 1980's and they had FABULOUS fabrics. The go to place for the best quality. I know a lot of quilters & dressmakers went there.
ReplyDeleteI loved MN Fabrics, it was the go to place for our high school when they provided sewing class. MN Fabrics also provided education to us when we came in to find our patterns and material. I haven’t seen in a long time and wanted to get back into it, sorry to hear it no longer exists 😞 Thanks Deb!
ReplyDeleteI had just left Joanne Fabrics, picking up an on-line purchase. I got into a conversation with my husband, as we headed back to our home, a 50 minute drive. The topic for discussion was MN Fabrics.
ReplyDeleteWe shared our memories of MN Fabrics . There was a store located a few blocks from our apartment, and I sewed many garments from fabrics purchased at MN Fabrics. I too loved MN Fabrics.
I had to look up the history of MN Fabrics, and its ending, and I found this site. Thanks Jen, and to all who responded.
You are quite welcome! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your memories about Minnesota Fabrics. It helps keep smaller places like this "alive".
DeleteI wish I could post photos here!!
ReplyDeleteI just received a huge stack of vintage patterns and a lot of them have a blue stamp "MINNESOTA FABRICS Simplicity McCalls Butterick & Vouge patterns"
I wish I could go back in time to see this store!