August 26, 2011

35 Years!




With this being our 35th anniversary year, I thought it might be fun to do a little reminiscing. A few of you have known us from our beginning in 1976. But most of you have become friends later on and may not know our history. So the story begins: Gladys and Nancy (mother and daughter) opened Glad Creations Inc. in 1976. It was the bicentennial year and there was a new interest in quilting. Nancy had just graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Economics and had become interested in quilting. Gladys ran a busy business out of her home called "Glad Creations". She made purses from denim and vinyl with appliqued flaps. They were made to order--customers would choose their own fabrics and applique design and 2 weeks later come in and pick up their purse.

In 1976, they decided to combine their 2 interests and open a quilt shop which also took orders for and sold Glad's purses. They purchased a corner grocery store on the corner of Bloomington and 34th street in south Minneapolis. The building had a grocery store on the 1st floor and an apartment upstairs. We are still, after 35 years, in the same location. We have expanded the shop to include classroom, display and office space on the 2nd floor. As the quilting business grew, Glad sold her purse business and began working at the shop full time.

It has been great to be part of a family business. Our dad worked there after his retirement, doing the bookwork. Our sister, Carol, does our long-arm quilting and has made many samples for us. I began working at the shop in about 1978 after my kids were a little older.
A lot has changed in our 35 years! Look for another blog talking about some of the changes that have taken place.

And don't forget--to celebrate our 35th anniversary, we will be having a drawing each month through the end of the year. All you need to do is come in to the shop and enter the drawing. Enter as many times during the month as you wish. We will draw the winner at the end of the month. In September, someone will win our Northwoods Quilt. It's from a Glad Creations pattern that we designed especially for the Moda Booth at Quilt Market. I love this quilt! So--good luck to all of your who enter our September drawing. I wish you all could win!
Susan

1 comment:

Annemarie Yohnk said...

35 yrs. CONGRATULATIONS! I feel privileged to be part of it since 1986 - 25 yrs!