Crafters hanging by a thread after Fabricland announces closure of Kitchener, Ont. store

Crafters were saddened to learn Fabricland decided to close its Kitchener store. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk has reaction.

The fabric of Waterloo Region’s sewing community is unravelling after Fabricland announced it was shuttering its Kitchener, Ont. store after more than three decades in business.

In an email to CTV News, the company confirmed their location at 1352 Weber Street East would close for good on Sunday, March 22.

“We’ll truly miss serving our amazing customers and creative community,” a post on the store’s Facebook page said. “Thank you for years of inspiration, creativity and support. You’ve helped make every bolt, button and stitch meaningful.”

A spokesperson for the company said the store is closing for “multiple reasons, it’s not just one thing,” adding, “we will miss serving all of our Kitchener customers and wish our community all the best.”

The spokesperson also confirmed there were no plans to close other Fabricland locations.

More than a dozen jobs will be lost as a result of the Kitchener store’s closure.

Sad to see it go

Customers filled the store Monday to take advantage of the deep discounts, ranging from 50 and 75 per cent off.

“I have always liked Fabricland because they have so much… a little bit of everything,” said Barbara Smith, who made the trip from Kincardine. “If you love to sew or you like crafts, this is a great place. It seems a shame to lose it.”

Louise Dzuryk and Susan Gunzel have been shopping at the Kitchener store since it opened.

“It’s been a long time, and I’m really sad that they’re leaving,” Dzuryk said. “All the fabric stores seem to be closing.”

“It’s sad,” Gunzel added. “It’s going to become a lost art – people sewing and crafting… I don’t know what the future holds for crafters.”

Fabricland currently has stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In Ontario, they have more than 20 locations. The closest ones to Waterloo Region are in Stratford, Toronto, Oakville, Hamilton, Tillsonburg, London and Sarnia.

While Kitchener’s bricks and mortar location is closing, customers can still shop on Fabricland’s website.

For those who prefer in-person shopping, Len’s Mill has stores in Cambridge, Waterloo, Guelph and Brantford.