Winchendon is a Perfect Fit for Appleberry Fabrics--and Vice Versa
Owner and expert Robin Brisson beams in front of just a tiny sample of her inventory.
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Robin Brisson, owner of Appleberry Fabrics at 62 Central Street, says she has a nickname for Winchendon: "Pleasantville," because everyone here has been so nice to her. Since she first looked at the property back in 2021, Ms. Brisson says, she has been overwhelmed by the friendliness of her neighbors, local professionals, her customers and the town as a whole. But maybe Ms. Brisson's cheerful, outgoing and highly knowledgable demeanor, which is mirrored by her store's attractive interior, have something to do with that. Her beautifully decorated, pristine and meticulously ordered store is a mass of brilliant rainbow colors. The walls are a soothing shade of dusky muted green and the original pressed-tin ceiling is spotless white. Specialty fabrics and wall decorations reflect seasonal themes (Easter fabric is just in).
Ms. Brisson says people tell her the store has a very good feeling or "energy" (this reporter concurs!). She thinks it may be because so much of her own mother is in the store. Born and raised in northern Vermont, "I'm a fourth generation quilter, and second generation quilt shop owner," she says. "My mom had the shop and then my aunt actually had what they would call a full service fabric shop...I've been doing this my whole life." She explained that she would help her mother vend at big shows, but the business became difficult for her mother after her husband passed away. "She tried for a few years. And then she said, 'You're so good. Just buy my inventory and you do the shows and the mail order.'" Ms. Brisson built up a mail order business and a website. "When my son got a little bit older, I said okay, now I want a brick and mortar shop. So we started [in Westminster] right at the beginning of February of '06." The store is filled with physical items that belonged to Ms. Brisson's mother, including a sewing machine and a cabinet with a Vermont marble top.
Appleberry Fabrics outgrew its space in Westminster after 15 successful years there, and Ms. Brisson was looking for something a bit larger. A resident of Leominster, she didn't expect to end up in Winchendon. She and her husband would come to Not Just Produced for local products and honey. They heard that the building at 62 Central Street was for sale. Ms. Brisson was resistant--it was a longer commute, it needed a lot of work. Her husband urged her to take a look, and made an appointment for them to see it.
"I walked in, and it had 'good bones' as they say," Ms. Brisson says. "The display windows, the sun was coming in, it was so nice. And I said, oh the tin [ceiling]. It looks like quilt designs, you know, like a diagonal and log cabin. And I was like, Oh, this was so nice. And I could see the potential." She and her husband purchased the building. Ms. Brisson thinks her mom was sending her a message, "Time to move on." It was a good decision, Ms. Brisson says.
The building, which had been on the market for about a year, did take a lot of work. The basement in particular was a challenge. Ms. Brisson has nothing but praise for the contractors and handymen who worked on the store, some of them coming out of retirement just to help her get the space into shape. The carpet was put down by Dick Lavigne, whose store is right across the street. It was all a labor of love, and it shows.
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Most of the store's fabric inventory is cotton, "what we call quilt shop quality, 60 inch width," with some 100% wool fabric. All the fabric is from leading manufacturers and is of the best quality. Quilt shops always have their own unique niche, Ms. Brisson says. She doesn't hesitate to recommend other stores to customers who are looking for something specific that she doesn't have on hand.
There are regional fabric designs, as well. Quilters will travel long distances to find material with specific animals or regional motifs--in Massachusetts, those include hydrangeas, lighthouses and cranberries. In Maine, blueberries are the thing (although Appleberry has some beautiful blueberry patterned fabric). Ms. Brisson loves animal designs, and she's started carrying bee themed fabric because so many people are keeping bees. She also carries strawberry, lavender and herbal designs. Some of her customers are gardeners and make sachets and other herbal craft items.
As new as she is to Winchendon, Ms. Brisson is enthusiastic about businesses supporting each other in town. She would like to see Small Business Saturday promoted much more, and wants small businesses here to work together, hopefully forming a kind of town small business association. Her customers have told her many stories about the history of her building and some of the events that were held in bygone years to honor "Toy Town," such as a Christmastime toy village in the basement of a local hardware store, with electric trains, and an annual Teddy Bear festival. One customer told Ms. Brisson that decades ago, the building had housed a general store which sold some fabric, and she had come there as a girl to buy the fabric to make her first apron. "It's come full circle now," Ms. Brisson says.
Ms. Brisson has created a page of local recommendations for out of town customers. "That's the other thing people don't realize," she says. "I think the Town Manager does because he was very pleased to hear that a quilt shop was coming to town. So there's less than 3,000 quilt shops in the whole United States now. Everybody's retired for one reason or another, and quilters will drive two or three hours just for the perfect shade of yellow, or a specific fabric, say dinosaurs for the grandson or something. And when they get here, everybody says, 'what's there to do? Where can we eat?' So I have a nice sheet, I say 'Robin's Recommendations,' and at the top it's other little shops, all the little shops that I think my customers would like, and then the bottom is places to eat." She adds notes about the kind of food and when the businesses are open.
Ms. Brisson has a depth of knowledge about fabrics and sewing that goes far beyond quilting. She gives lectures and talks, and she can speak about the intricacies of fabric dying and its history and how colors work, including their significance in language and social history. "Customers just want to sew, they don't want to know how the dye makes it onto the fabric," she says regretfully. But if anyone wants to know, Ms. Brisson can tell them about it. "There's such a big trend now from the changing over from a silk screen where they use 16 or 18 screens to color the fabric, to digitally printed where they can have 2000 colors," she says.
Ms. Brisson also knows a lot about costuming and cosplay, which are hugely popular now (there is a biannual convention devoted entirely to costuming, CostumeCon). Her son is a serious cosplayer. Ms. Brisson says Halloween was a major holiday for her family, and now her son wears his own cosplay creations at the biggest comic and fan conventions. She knows local costumers and cosplay suppliers in the region, and she can offer anyone interested in cosplaying a wealth of practical suggestions. She can also provide tips and advice for almost any sewing or fabric-related project a customer might bring to her.
The Central Street Reconstruction Project, and the COVID restrictions, presented some challenges for Appleberry Fabrics. The town held the official ribbon cutting and grand opening on November 27, 2021, with state representative Jon Zlotnik joining many town officials. But Ms. Brisson delayed her interview with the Courier until the reconstruction work was done--especially the sidewalk--and the new municipal parking lot on Pleasant Street was completed. Now, it's full speed ahead for Appleberry Fabrics and all its sister businesses on Central Street.
Appleberry Fabrics is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The store is closed on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The phone number if 978-874-0400 and you can email Ms. Brisson at robin@quilterstudio.com. The business website is www.quilterstudio.com/. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/appleberryfabrics.
Come in for fabric, come in for answers and tips, or as Ms. Brisson says many do, come in for "inspiration." You're sure to find some.
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Photo by Inanna Arthen
MHS Tournament of Plays Goes On This Weekend
The annual Morton E. Converse Tournament of Plays will take place Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Murdock High School auditorium, 3 Memorial Dr., Winchendon. Tickets are $7.00 each and can be purchased at the door. Admission for children under 5 and senior citizens is free.
The Tournament of Plays is an annual event in which the four high school classes--freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors--each put on a one-act play, competing with each other for prizes. Awards are given in categories including Best Costumes, Best Set, Best Ensemble, Best Performer and Best Play.
The Tournament originated in the 1930s when Winchendon toy manufacturer and town benefactor Morton E. Converse sponsored a speech contest at the high school. By 1941 the contest had evolved into a one-act play competition which has run every year since then except for short breaks during World War II and the COVID shutdown. Plays must run less than 35 minutes and the actors are not allowed to use microphones. The judges view both nights' performances (the plays go in a different order each of the two nights) and awards are given out after Saturday's performance.
The titles and details about the plays are confidential until opening night--you'll have to come and be surprised! But you're sure to see some of the same talented students whose work you've enjoyed in previous MHS productions, as well as some you haven't seen before. This will be the last acting performance for the MHS seniors--after this, you'll have to go see them in their college shows (and after that, who knows!). Don't miss it!
MHS Classes Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with Sock Drive, Activities
Mrs. Ellis' ALL class and Mrs. Frye's Leadership and Citizenship class smile for the camera together on World Down Syndrome Day.
Photo by Inanna Arthen
The Murdock High School ALL class taught by Mrs. Ellis and the Leadership and Citizenship class taught by Mrs. Frye, which regularly work together, this week focused on activities to build awareness of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21. Murdock student Karen Vongchairueng wrote to the Courier, "That day was chosen to signify the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down Syndrome. We're hosting a sock drive for awareness, and socks were chosen to represent Down Syndrome awareness because socks are the same shape as the chromosomes. In addition, socks are also one of the most requested items in shelters and clothing pantries."
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Other sock-related activities included "Crazy Sock Day" on March 21, for which students were encouraged to wear their most unusual and colorful socks. The ALL class participated in a student-led crafting activity to make their own tie-dyed socks, which several students wore to school on Tuesday.
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Photo courtesy of Candace Frye
ALL class student Morgan, who has Down Syndrome, told the Courier that she is part of Best Buddies, an international organization, and the local chapter raised $750 selling popcorn. Morgan also volunteers with the Youth Changemakers' Sunshine Café at the Winchendon CAC.
Mrs. Ellis' class learns important life skills and is working on growing their vocational training program. Students work in the classroom, the MHS food and clothing pantry, cafeteria, Guidance office and throughout the building, learning pre-vocational skills including how to clean, stock, organize, file, copy, count inventory and more. Employers, organizations or community members who would be interested in offering the students opportunities to practice their skills as volunteers can contact Mrs. Ellis at cellis@winchendonk12.org for more information or to schedule a meeting.
For more information about World Down Syndrome Day, see https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/
Making Q-tip catapults from craft sticks, straws and rubber bands
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Painting panels for the Frame by Frame Mural
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Goodbye to the Former IGA
Demolition has begun! The former IGA Supermarket formerly located at the Central Street shopping plaza, currently owned by Alfa Donuts, LLC of Beverly, MA has begun to realized its demolition of the site to make way for a newer commercial building, as the current existing structure upon previous attempts was found to costly to repair. Talks have been ongoing for some time with Family Dollar for potentially expanding through negotiations in to the former IGA side of the site, along with Store Chain Dollar Tree, its parent company, however those companies are now also rumored to be considering merging in to one store chain. Dollar Tree purchased Family Dollar previously on July 6, 2015 announced then in a press release which can be read on-line at the following link: https://corporate.dollartree.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/120/dollar-tree-completes-acquisition-of-family-dollar
Photo by Keith Kent
Photo by Keith Kent
The former IGA Supermarket seen in these parking lot facing photos taken on Thursday, March 23, show much of the frontal roof has already been removed, along portions of the front Central Street entrance. It was previously reported to the Building and Health Departments that upon inspection of the structure of the front of the building by repair crews, every time workers would remove one item to begin repairs, another problem continue to be found behind it, forcing the current owners of the property to decide it was not financially viable to replace just the roof.
Once known to many long time local shoppers, the right side or southerly wall of the former supermarket in its last days before final demolition, still reads "Garden Produce" where fresh fruits and vegetables were once available almost immediately after walking in the former entrance.
Photo by Keith Kent
Frozen in time for years since its closure but no longer frozen, the former Frozen Foods section of the store where coolers once stood displays its last days on the stores northern facing wall before final demolition erases it from times past like so many other businesses Toy Town residents counted on for local goods.
Photo by Keith Kent
One Book, One Community: Winchendon's First Town-Wide Read
Award-winning author and illustrator, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, will be visiting Murdock Middle High School for an author keynote speech on Friday, April 28, 2023.
Photo courtesy of Beals Memorial Library
One Book, One Community, a one-of-a-kind reading experience geared towards connecting Winchendon residents through a shared reading and discussion of the same book, is nearing the home stretch, but there are still ways you can participate! If you haven't read it yet, check out the selected book, Hey, Kiddo, by Worcester-born author Jarrett J. Krosoczka, a powerful, unforgettable graphic memoir about growing up in Massachusetts with a drug-addicted mother, a missing father, and two unforgettably opinionated grandparents. The book includes topics such as: addiction, mental health, adult language, and non-traditional families, and is recommended for ages 11+. Copies are available to check out at the Beals Memorial Library and have also been distributed throughout Winchendon at locations such as at the Winchendon CAC, the Winchendon Senior Center, the Town of Winchendon Clerk's Office, and more. After you've finished reading the book, please return it to the place you received it from.
Building off of the reading, there will be a final book discussion meeting on Thursday, April 13, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Town Hall 4th Floor Meeting Room. This is for anyone who wants to discuss the themes, plots, and characters of the book and participate in an exchange of ideas, observations, and reactions.
There will also be a final Social Issues Community Discussion Panel tied to the book centered on the issue of substance abuse disorder held on Saturday, April 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Bud Fletcher Community Room at the Clark Memorial YMCA located at 5 Summer Street, Winchendon, MA 01475. The purpose of this Social Issues Community Discussion is to shine a light on the difficult topic of substance abuse disorder, and to give voice to the many residents who have not typically been heard, including youth, and those who are experiencing, or have experienced, the trauma of this pervasive problem. The panel will include Shawn Hayden from GAMMHA, Inc, Winchendon's Police Chief, Dan Wolski, and Amy Simmers-Swanson, parent, grandparent, and foster parent. Spanish and ASL services or child care are available during the event, pre-registration is required.
One Book, One Community will wrap up on Friday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Murdock High School Auditorium, with a special speaking engagement with the best-selling author of Hey, Kiddo, Jarrett J. Krosoczka! Come hear the author of this year's town-wide read. This author visit is free, and everyone is welcome to attend! Child care will be provided by the Winchendon CFCE.
This program is funded by the Winchendon Cultural Council, the Office of District Attorney Early, and through a Library Science Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Funding is also provided by the Beals Memorial Library, the Winchendon Public Schools and the Friends of the Beals Memorial Library. Collaborators include The Beals Memorial Library Board of Trustees, HEAL Winchendon, Youth ChangeMakers, Winchendon Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE), the Town of Winchendon, the Winchendon Police Department, and the Winchendon Community Action Committee (CAC).
Murdock High School is located at 3 Memorial Drive in Winchendon. For more information, call the library at 978-297-0300, email winchendonreads@gmail.com, or visit bealslibrary.org/townwideread.
Photo copyright © Beals Memorial Library