Pillowcasegram opens PA location
Pillowcasegram & Other Things announces the June 12 opening of its new store at 3 W. Main Street, North East, Pa.
The 1,800 square-foot retail store will carry fabrics, books, and notions that are especially focused on custom-made pillowcases, home decorating, and fashion. Pillowcasegram will carry fabrics for quilting; however, quilting will not be their main focus.
With two other quilting stores nearby, Lesley Rackowski thought that her store could be set apart by offering more fabrics for home decorating and fashion. Custom-made pillowcases will especially be a big part of the sales of the store.
“We’re looking forward to sharing our new store with our customers,” said Rackowski, the owner and creator of Pillowcasegram & Other Things. “The new store enhances our ability to really allow our customers to come in and find fabrics to make a truly one-of-a-kind custom-made pillowcase to give as a gift. They can choose the colors that they want for the cuff or the band. Currently, on our internet site, we choose the colors. But this will allow them to choose what they want.”
Rackowski added that customers can purchase fabrics to make their own pillowcases, too. They will be carrying a large amount of novelty fabrics so pillowcases can be made in themes that coincide with what the recipient loves about life.
The new retail store will be staffed by two full-time employees: Marilyn (Mo) Ferree, the store’s assistant manager and Julie Kramer, who will focus on the home decorating part of the store. One part-time employee, Cheri Ficarra, will be the head of the fashion fabrics department. Rackowski’s husband and sons are also helping in the background.
The Pillowcasegram store has some very unique features. Rackowski wanted to give the store a certain feeling, so that as soon as people walk in, they know it is a fun place to visit. The pink, cranberry, and ivory scallops that are printed on Pillowcasegram’s business card, Web site, and telegrams will be a theme that is carried throughout the store. The furniture she ordered from Henry & Company and Chautauqua Design Center was custom-made.
“I didn’t just want plain, ordinary wooden furniture in my store,” Rackowski said. “I really want this store to have a different look to it. So I’ve been very careful in the furnishings that I have selected.”
The store will have a lounge area, which has a TV set and comfortable wicker furniture where her customers can spend time looking through pattern books and magazines, or just visit with friends.
The store will also be holding classes and special events in the store throughout the year.
“I really want the store to be a fun place to visit,” Rackowski said. “It can be the ‘Starbucks’ of fabric stores, where people can relax with their friends.” She plans to offer WiFi later in the year.
Pillowcasegram’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. During the summer, the store will be open until 7 p.m. on Saturdays. It will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. However, if someone can only come on a Monday, they may make an appointment between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. most Mondays by calling the store phone number at 814-725-3400. The web site, www.pillowcasegram.com, will also still be available 24 hours a day for the times that the store is not open. Pillowcasegram’s corporate offices are based in Westfield where they plan to open a second store sometime in the near future.
from ObserverToday.com © 2008
