Happy Birthday Sewing Arts!

Hi, folks! Guess what? It's hard to believe, but 10 years ago April Fool's Day, Bay Cities Sewing Machine Company became what you now know as Sewing Arts Center. It's our Birthday!

April 1, 2000 was one of the most exciting and at the same time most terrifying days of my life. The afternoon before, Barbara and Fred Kasprinski handed me the keys to the shop they had nurtured since 1971 and Barbara's father before them since 1955. We signed paperwork. They hugged me, walked out, and I stood in the middle of the store wondering what I had done... all on a wing, a prayer and the tenuous support of some very apprehensive friends -- "You're what? You're buying a sewing machine shop?"

These past 10 years have taught me lots! Lots about myself. Lots about business. Lots about life.

I couldn't have done it without you. And I wouldn't trade the past 10 years for anything.

And, not only do I get the pleasure of celebrating 10 years in business, but Stanley and I are also celebrating 16 years together.

I am one lucky man.

So, come share in some of my luck (don't worry...I don't rub off...) In honor or our 10th year in business, come by tomorrow, Friday, April 2nd, to share some birthday cake. And while you're at it, bring a copy of this email with you sometime on or before April 10th, and it'll be a good for $10 off on your minimum $20 purchase.

On other fronts, our Rock Paper Scissors children's summer sewing classes are up on line at www.SewingArtsCenter.com. You'll find them easily by typing RPS into the search field on the home page. That'll take you right to the information. The rest of the summer classes will be going up shortly.

Also, please note a change in our retail hours. Effective Monday, April 5th, our new retail hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 AM - 6:30 PM, Friday and Saturday, 11 AM - 5 PM. We will still open on Friday mornings for sewing machine service at 8 AM. And don't worry, our new retail hours won't impact our class schedule on Mondays. It'll actually allow us to concentrate more fully on our educational curriculum, and allow us to begin offering more classes during those hours we are closed for retail.

Hope the day finds you smiling! See you soon.

xoxo Russell and the Sewing Arts Gang