The end of an era

 

For the last 12 years the quilters in this area have been very fortunate to shop for our fabric at a quaint little store at Mundulla, which is a short 10 minute drive from my house. Known by the name of Maney’s of Mundulla, (Maney’s were the former owners), this store was purchased in 2003 by Val, who moved her shop stock from Darwin where she previously conducted her business.

          (A group from a retreat at The Sanctuary visiting the shop last year)

This shop was worth a visit just to see the building which is over 100 years old and in it’s original state. Shelves all up the walls, and 2 big wooden counters running the length of the shop, and even a section of floor that made you wonder if you had had a few drinks.

But once inside it was like an Aladdin's Cave, with many treasures to tempt you. The array of quilting fabrics, all displayed on the shelves in coordinating colours, were joined by dress fabrics,evening and bridal fabrics, buttons, braids, zips, threads, laces, and a collection of ribbons like you would never find anywhere else. It was always a worthwhile visit.

 

Val was always very helpful and had an amazing eye for colour. In no time at all she would show you the perfect range of colour matches for the piece you wanted something else to go with.

At 76, Val has been in semi retirement for awhile now, and not open every day. (But as she lived by the shop, there were many times that she opened the doors for someone on her “shut” days.

She has talked of retirement recently and the property was for sale, and who could blame her, after a mammoth 39 years in the fabric business.

Sometimes when you have something on your doorstep, it can be taken for granted that it will always be there. Some people have been caught short because this last week, a chance came for Val to sell all the stock in her shop. It all happened in the matter of 4 days, and Val is now wearing a big smile and a badge that says RETIRED.

We shall miss our visits to Mundulla and Val’s cheerful, witty personality, but wish her all the best in her retirement.

We look forward to her attendance at our local quilting days and I am sure we will still be asking for her advice on lots of things. Well done and thankyou so much Val. I believe she still has a sizeable stash in her house, many projects to finish, and there was something said about still having boxes not unpacked from the Darwin move!

I shall have more information about the sale of Val’s stock in another blog post soon, so stay tuned for more newsfromjude.

Blessings, From Jude