Most
dedicated stitchers are people who appreciate other handcrafted
items which incorporate a bit of the soul of the artist who created
them. Jane Dresner and Cyndi LaBarge have made this concept into
a tangible reality by founding an emporium of gifts, furnishings
and accessories, City Source, to compliment their needlework
shop, City Stitcher. The philosophy of City Source is to offer
only items that are made from natural materials - no plastic,
acrylic etc. The focus stays on handcrafted merchandise such
as beeswax candles, picture frames, ceramics, pottery, handmade
cards, papers and stationary, boxes, albums, small furniture
pieces and linens (placemats, napkins, kitchen towels). Jane
elucidates on their selection: "We like to work with smaller
companies who don't mass-produce thus making their product more
unusual. For the past several years, we have represented Design
Studio, a local group of artisans who have a wonderful line of
seasonal hand-painted fingertip towels, whimsically dressed,
stuffed animals (bunnies and families of holiday snowmen), dried
arrangements (wreaths and swags), decorated votives, and much
more."
Cyndi
LaBarge is one of the original owners of City Stitcher. She was
raised in Toledo, OH and recalls that her grandmother signed
her up for lessons in needlepoint and knitting at the local department
store. One memory is particularly vivid: "I still remember
the red mohair she let me pick out for my first project. The
cost was not as important as having something I loved and would
be committed to accomplish. I find I often tell beginning stitchers
to pick out a project they will enjoy in lieu of simply the least
expensive or easiest. Yes, I did finish that red mohair vest..."
After graduating from Bowling Green State U, Cyndi taught 4th
grade for three years before getting married and moving to Chicago.
There she worked as a computer systems trainer. Her job entailed
traveling and needlework came to the rescue in filling in the
idle hours spent in transit. Downsizing eliminated Cyndi's position
just when she found herself pregnant, making that transition
fairly easy. Though she delighted in Erin, Cyndi missed socializing
with adults and eventually took a part time job at a local needlepoint
store. That's when the entrepreneurial bug kicked in. An attempt
was made to purchase the shop with 2 colleagues, but that didn't
pan out. They persevered and in May of 1983, the 3 partners opened
a shop on Chicago Ave. and incorporated the business. Over time,
one partner retired and the other left for other reasons. Jane
starting working at the shop in Dec, 1983 and the rest is their
joint history.
Jane
Dresner was raised in Streator, Illinois by parents who encouraged
her endless "creative" endeavors. She was taught to
cross-stitch and sew by her mother and learned graphic and drafting
skills from her father. She later taught herself to knit and
do needlepoint. After H.S., Jane moved to Chicago to attend Nursing
School, graduated and worked as a psychiatric nurse in a hospital
for 15 years. It was there she met her husband Bruce during his
Residency. While working, she satisfied her creative needs through
crewel embroidery, sewing, cooking, painting (watercolors), calligraphy,
and needlepoint. Over the years she joined two Needlework Guilds
where she initially met Cyndi, while taking a series of Japanese
Embroidery classes.
In 1983 Jane decided to return to school for a graduate degree
with the stated intention: "My thoughts for grad school
were either to go on in Psych. or an MBA but I put that on hold
and its still holding!" The reason for that is because,
while back in school, Jane took a part time job at City Stitcher.
Less than a year later, her future underwent a radical change
when she decided to buy into the business. Jane insists that
she and Cyndi are "polar opposites"- while Cyndi is
tall with dark hair, Jane is petite and blonde. Apparently, Cyndi
is laid-back, while Jane flashes through the shop like a "whirling
dervish!" Regardless of their differences, as a business
team, they form one cohesive whole. Jane explains: "We each
bring different strengths to the business; We compliment, criticize,
and compromise as necessary, which is crucial."
Cyndi
harbors maternal feelings for the business: "I call the
business my "middle child" as Erin had started preschool
and I could focus on the growth of the business. In 1986, I had
my second daughter, Courtney...I had worked all day on Saturday
and thought my back hurt from just being on my feet all day.
Then Monday morning...she made a hasty entrance to the world
and I had to call Jane and let her know I probably would not
be in.... Jane used the display window to announce Courtney's
arrival, filling an antique carriage with baby canvas designs,
pink wool and a "It's a Girl" sign."
Cyndi does all the accounting; Jane oversees schedules and
payroll, maintains the mailing list and writes their promotional
material with lots of input Cyndi and the staff. Both share ideas
deciding on the look and direction of both businesses, share
buying and try to attend markets and trade shows together. In
terms of stitching expertise, they agree they are even-steven.
This equality and harmony benefits their clientele in the quantity
and quality of personal attention they are able to render.
The
delineation of responsibilities between Jane and Cyndi allow
for considerable flexibility: Cyndi enthuses: "I have always
enjoyed the fact that I can schedule myself off to attend my
children's school activities. In my time off, I also enjoy shopping
flea markets and antique stores. Many of my 'treasures' find
a home as store props and unique displays in City Source. Cyndi's
antiques fit in well with the age of the building and lend a
nostalgic flavor while also functioning for interesting presentation
of sale items. These one-of-a-kind finds include a wooden arbor,
a harvest ladder, a handyman's bed and a 1920's gas stove.
City Stitcher, Inc. offers hand-painted canvases, cross-stitch,
a full line of fibers, and stitching accessories. Included in-house
is a full-line Elizabeth Bradley boutique. They work with several
artists who do custom designs and provide full finishing services.
Classes are taught by Cyndi, Jane, other experienced members
of the staff and guest teachers. All levels are taught, beginner
being a standard introduction (basic stitches and seven decorative
stitches taught on a Susan Roberts canvas). Intermediate classes
change often and are frequently developed around specific requests
from customers. Most popular are projects with multiple stitch
techniques and a variety of fibers. City Stitcher's clientele
consists mostly of urban residents, tourists and working women.
Both partners remark on the increasing numbers of young professionals
who enjoy stitching as a counterpoint to corporate life. There
is always a post holiday sale, which their customers count on
and several trunk shows are scheduled each year. While at their
original location, one of their earliest and most successful
trunk shows was Lois Caron's line. Jane insists: "We treasure
her original canvases...We now stock Snow, Watercolours, Waterlilies,
and Impressions."
The
current staff includes a number of part time employees who share
a full time love of stitching. Their talents are vast and their
rewards are few as Cyndi emphasizes: "I don't know too many
in this field who are in it for the paycheck." Kathleen,
Jan, Lynne, Kris and Karen provide friendly, competent service
to customers while initiating an uncountable number of creative
ideas that which benefit City Stitcher and customer alike. They
all are committed to preserving and continuing the craft.
City
Stitcher, Inc. is located on the first 2 floors of a lovely turn
of the century building just two blocks from the Magnificent
Mile (Michigan Avenue), Water Tower Place, the old historic Water
Tower, and Lake Michigan. The store is within easy walking distance
to most major hotels in the area. The business relocated to its
current home 9 years ago. It is rumored that the building was
once owned by the Borden Family of Borden Dairy fame. The shop
occupies the corner first floor space and the entire second floor,
which constituted the original owner's abode. As such, the interior
retains the original appointments and period details of the residence:
mahogany pocket doors, a built-in breakfront and four fireplaces,
some with mantels of carved marble. With the increased urban
development in the area, it seems only a matter of time before
City Stitcher will have to relocate, once again. Jane voices
their primary considerations: "We want to stay in the area
and keep our store competitive with current trends in fibers,
while maintaining a large selection of canvases."
The
two businesses are run as one business in that Cyndi and Jane
are equally committed to and involved in both. The addition of
City Source increased their work load correspondingly - an entirely
new set of vendors and trade shows to attend, as well as the
day-to-day operation of two different businesses. Jane clarifies
the dilemma: "Over the past nine years, the demands of the
dual businesses keep us both very busy thus we seem to have less
time to stitch. We live vicariously through seeing what others
(staff and customers) are doing."
While each business does draw different crowds there is naturally
also a large overlap. After all, what could be better than satisfying
your creative urges and being able to pick up that special gift
at the same time! Cyndi and Jane look forward to assisting you
with your stitching projects or finding that extra-special something
for your home or for that special someone in your life!
City Stitcher, Inc
One East Huron, at State
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 664- 5499
