When the waters
came pouring in from the ceiling, down the walls, and in under the
doors, store owner Bob Bolton did everything he could to save his
inventory. Sew Vac Sales and Service had been a staple in Kingsport
since 1974.
“I knew at that
moment it was time to relocate”, Bolton states. “We had struggled
with surviving in an old building that was falling down around us. We
already had a mold issue that was not being solved. It was time to
go.”
So that is exactly
what Bolton, his employees, friends, and family did. And they did it
in one weeks time.
“We were able to
move the inventory to the new location with the help of a lot of
loyal employees and customers,” recalls manager Nancy Farris.
“However, putting a store back together, sorting through nearly
forty years of inventory to see what could be salvaged, rebuilding
the tables to hold our machines, displays to hold our sewing notions,
getting ourselves in a place where we were ready....that took time.”
Struggling to let
their previous customers know where they had moved was a challenge.
“Someone removed almost every sign we put up,” said marketing
director and webmaster JC Farris. “So we turned to the internet.
Social networking is what has saved us as has our website. In
addition, we have made videos for Youtube, written blogs, become a
Powerseller on Ebay, and gone across the city talking to those who
would be interested in our services. Its been a scary transition, but
one filled with hope.”
Sew Vac Sales &
Service became Sew Vac & Long Arm Quilting Center. Boasting to be
the “premier training facility for all things sewing, embroidery,
digitizing, and quilting”, Sew Vac instructors have proven their
talent in displays that can be seen around the store. “Private
training rooms are now available so our students don't have to
compete with incoming customers,” says Farris. “All machines
purchased at Sew Vac come with training included. Our level of
training can't be beat.”
Sitting
promenently in the store is Sew Vac's new long arm quilter. “Not
only are we offering long arm quilters for sale,” states employee
Sheila Burger, “we now offer long arm quilting services. Three
options are available including full and economy services where your
quilt tops are quilted by our employees, or the more preferred option
of customer in-store leasing”
“Our speciality
is teaching and training. Learning to use a long arm quilter is very
simple,” Sheila continues, “and we provide the training. One
training class is $25 that is put toward your first hour of quilting
when you choose the leasing option. Once you see how easy it is, you
will be addicted.”
In addition to
these services, Sew Vac & Long Arm Quilting Center, offers nearly
100 years combined experience in sewing machine repair and service.
Estimates are free and turnaround times are generally 1-2 days.
Service on both commercial and home machines.
The Chamber of
Commerce will be joining in the celebration at Sew Vac at 111 Jack
White Drive, Ste 7 on November 7, 2013 at 4 pm with a ribbon cutting
ceremony. The store is located behind Grand Furniture and across from
Five Guys Burger. All customers who come in to Sew Vac for the
weekend long celebration will be entered for a free quilting session
valued at $200. The first 15 customers to reserve their time for long
arm leasing will get an additional $25 off.
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