After an entire career in retail and managing a local store in Town Centre mall for the past 11 years, Lisa Rubletz was ready to launch her own business.
On December 1, 2020, Lisa opened The Crafty Quilter, a fabric and craft store on Franklin Avenue.
“I wanted to remain in retail and with my new business I’m able to run my store as I’ve always wanted, as a local small business; I want this store to be open to everyone,” says Lisa. “I am inspired by the strong women I get to spend time with every day. I feel so blessed to have taken this leap and want to share this sense of community with everyone.”
With the help of former Crazy Quilt Cottage owner Deborah Jenkins, Barb McCormack, and her husband Chad Rubletz, along with countless others, Lisa was able to open a welcoming, bright and fun space. She purchased all of the inventory from Deborah’s store and moved it to her current larger space, which allows her to stock even more items. Deborah and Barb are now helping out at the shop three days a week to provide years of experience to customers.
The shop carries all quilting needs, including a wide selection of fabrics. It also carries craft supplies, such as locally made chalk paint from Country Chic on Vancouver Island and the newest addition to the inventory: paint by number sets.
“People are really excited when they come up here; we have a pretty cool store,” explains Lisa. “It’s a really happy environment and it’s uplifting so I encourage people to come in, take a look, feel the space, see what they like and enjoy it.
“You don’t have to come here because you specifically want to buy something, because things will be changing all the time.”
The shop will be offering quilt and craft classes in the future. People can follow the business on Facebook, where upcoming classes will be posted, or go directly to the store to sign up. The first classes start on Wednesday, January 20, and run from 1 to 3 pm in the afternoon, however, Lisa says dates and times are very flexible.
Currently four people are allowed in each class. If a different day or time works for a group Lisa will do her best to accommodate them.
The Crafty Quilter has also been posting tutorials to its Facebook page.
“With COVID, a lot of the things we will be showing on our Facebook page,” says Lisa. “We will be making kits up ahead of time so people can come in and buy the kits. There is help there for these projects and you can do it at your own pace.”
Lisa also wants to connect with people in the community about their own crafting ideas.
“I’d love for people to come and say, ‘I’ve been wanting to make this Pinterest project forever and I can’t get the stuff,’” she says. “If it’s something that seems feasible to me, I will get everything they need and we will kit it up. I’m really hoping people will come share cool things they want to make.
“Let’s do it together, let’s get the community involved because if you want to make it I’m sure there’s another lady out there who wants to make it, too.”
For more information, contact Lisa at 604.489.3280, or thecraftyquilter06@gmail.com. The shop is located at #13-4312 Franklin Avenue.
Follow The Crafty Quilter online at facebook.com/The-Crafty-Quilter or instagram.com/crafty_quilter.
