Retailer Spotlight: Alterations by Heather
Hello my fellow sewists! I am glad to be back writing articles on new discoveries. This one is about a locally owned shop Alterations by Heather. This is in my new home town of St. Helens. This is not a fabric shop, and it is not just an alterations shop. This shop is owned by Heather, who was a pleasure and delight to meet and talk with. She is smart, very positive and motivated. Believe it or not… she loves alterations and has made a successful business of it with a few adjustments. Ha! Ha!
Alterations was not at all a planned business. Heather started working for a dry-cleaners doing alterations as a favor. That business closed but her clients had grown; opportunity knocked so she opened her own small place (only 450 sq ft) in 2010. She had so much work she was sleeping on a cot at the shop. Business kept growing and every two years she moved to bigger locations and added more staff and departments. Now she is in a location of 2500 sq ft with 6 employees and a shop dog named Sparks. Since she started, her business has tripled every year. Now that is a success story!!
The shop is located on Columbia Blvd. and easy to find with just a turn off of Highway 30 in St. Helens. The shop is light, bright, clean and well organized. And the workroom was amazingly clean. The space is divided into several categories. Dream Room Boutique displays art and wearable items by local artists. There is a wearable art piece by Kayla Kennington on display. The next section is formal and bridal consignment with lovely garments at great prices. If you are interested in consignment of these type of garments, contact the shop. The Alterations section includes all clothing, bridal and menswear. There is leatherwork and shoe repair available. And they also offer private sewing lessons.
All this great work is done by a talented and friendly staff. They love the work they do and they love where they work. Here are the specialty talents of the employees: Shelly is the teacher, she also does alterations and custom sewing. Her sewing classes inspired the local high school to begin offering sewing classes again. Rainie does everything bridal. She also does embroidery. She recently attended Portland Sewing Institute to further her skill set. Chelsea is the manager of the sewing floor. She also owns her own business Designs by Chelsea Kelly. Kirsten is the newest in the group, she works the front counter, assists Chelsea and is working on her skills so she can transition into bridal. Janet is a fashion designer, pattern maker and has a very impressive skill set. Nicole works the front counter, does bookkeeping and anything else needed. Her mother owned the dry-cleaner where Heather started the whole success story of her shop.
Heather and the ladies are very involved with Brides for a Cause. This charity receives donated new/used wedding gowns from manufacturers, retailers and individuals. Heather’s group volunteers repairs, then the dresses are sold at fabulous low prices and proceeds go to charity.
Heather says sewing is a really vast world and their specialty just happens to be alterations, and p.s. they actually love doing alterations!! So that brings up the next thought. As sewists we always think we have to do every step of a sewing project but there are somethings you really hate to do like zippers, buttonholes, hems, etc. Why don’t we take that project to a shop like Alterations and let them finish it quickly and professionally and get that project finished with less stress!!!
Keep on sewing my friends and support your local sewing businesses.
Ruth Ruby
Retail Liaison
