The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Store's location 'so right' for Bihlmeyer
Owner finds happiness with new clients along M-52 corridor traffic
By Alana West, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: January 24, 2008
After weeks of planning, packing and relocating, Sew-Write owner Nancy Bihlmeyer is back in business.
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The former downtown shop, which Bihlmeyer has operated for 14 years, has relocated to its present location on M-52 next to Ash Auto.
Though the transition was tough, Bihlmeyer said better rent, better parking and a better location design convinced her to make the move.
"The first time we went to see this building, we could see (its) potential," she said. "Most people who came in could see that it was going to work. We love it."
The 1,200 square-foot space is similar to the downtown lot she relocated from, but she said the efficiency of the new store is one of its greatest advantages. The handicap-accessible front door leads into a spacious showroom and a white picket fence prevents customers from wandering into the back workrooms, without detracting from the open interior.
Renovations to the structure began after Bihlmeyer signed a five-year lease with T&N Service Inc.
"I decided to do this in October, and we moved in December," Bihlmeyer said.
After the building inspector gave his final approval, Bihlmeyer said she told employee Marilyn Schulze to turn the closed sign around.
"I said, 'OK, flip the sign, we're open," she said.
A vintage glass-block window wall in the back of the store was saved from the original structure, and now provides light and privacy between Bihlmeyer's office and the workroom.
The room-to-room flow allows employees to converse with each other, and still mind their separate tasks — something that was impossible in their former location, Schulze said.
"Before, we couldn't see each other, (between rooms)," she said.
"This time, we thought it through, and we knew it would work before we got into our new building," Bihlmeyer said.
Can-Do-It Handyman Services built all of the display cabinets at the new location and helped with the move, she said.
A huge new sign greets customers at the front entrance, bearing the business logo and telephone number. Steelegrafix designed the sign, which was set in place by R-L Tree Service, both Manchester businesses.
"I can't ask for more than that sign," said Bihlmeyer. "And R-L installed our sign on a very windy cold day.
"This is a good move."
The business offers a huge variety of embroidered patterns for clothing and business logos. It can also create designs from photos or drawings.
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