A family-owned fabric store beloved by Richmond sewers is shuttering after more than five decades in the community.
"All fabrics must go," "final markdowns," and "Richmond location closing. All sales final," are some of the many colourful signs spotted in Fabricana's Richmond location on Wednesday afternoon.
The fabric store began the final round of its closing sale a few weeks ago, and more than half of the store has been emptied since. In addition to fabrics, notions and trims, furniture including a sewing machine table and a loveseat are also marked as items for sale.
Irene Collingwood, store manager, told the Richmond News employees learned of the closure four months ago, and everyone decided to stay on board until the end.
"Everybody's here till the ship goes down," she said.
Collingwood, who has worked at Fabricana for 15 years, said all employees are long-term hires, with the longest tenure being 25 years.
"We are such a cohesive family here," she said.
"We've always taken pride in our store being organized and all that.... the family is what we're gonna miss a lot. And the customers are our family as well."
Employees were not told the reason for the closing, but Collingwood suspects it has to do with real estate costs.
"It's sad. We have a lot of customers who are feeling really sad that we are closing, but it is not our decision. So there's nothing we can do," she added.
Five decades in Richmond
Long-time customers of the beloved fabric store remember this was not the first time it bid Richmond farewell.
Fabricana's roots can be traced back to Richmond in 1970 when founder Richard Megrian opened an 800-square-foot shop across from Richmond Centre with his wife Karen as his sole employee.
They eventually relocated to an 8,000-square-foot location on Alderbridge Way in 1980, when Megrian's two sons Mike and Greg joined the business.
Six years later, they outgrew the Alderbridge Way shop and moved to a two-storey location on Hazelbridge Way, with the main floor selling designer fashion fabrics and the second floor dedicated to quilting fabrics.
Fabricana eventually expanded to Surrey and Coquitlam, and in 2003, it moved to its current storefront on Garden City Road near Walmart.
In 2019, Fabricana Richmond shuttered due to high business costs and the head office and warehouse were moved to Delta. However, an "overwhelming" outcry of support from Richmond customers managed to bring the store back in 2020, with the space reduced from 25,000 to 14,500 square feet, according to Fabricana's website.
A "big loss" for the Richmond sewing community
"(It's) just too sad," said local resident Felicity Zhou. "The fabric is so nice here. The variety is very good."
Zhou told the News she has been shopping for fabrics at Fabricana for a "long time" to make household items such as tablecloths and cushions.
But now that the shop is closing, she is at a loss.
"We don't really know where to go shop," she said.
Alternatives in Richmond include Michael's, which has a smaller variety of fabrics, and Fabricana's Coquitlam location, which also sells upholstery fabric, is still open. But customers may have to turn online for more options.
"We also have an online store. I know buying fabrics online is a little bit different, but I guess that's what we are going to do eventually — buy everything online. So people need to get used to it," employee Ivy Lui told the News.
Since the news of Fabricana's imminent closing broke, the store has been busier than ever.
"People are coming to say goodbye because some customers have been shopping with this business for the 53 years that they've been around," said Collingwood.
Not only did customers come to shop, they also brought goodies and treats such as chocolates, donuts and cakes, as well as sandwiches and lunches, to show their appreciation for employees.
The tight-knit community was one of the reasons Lui decided to stay after joining Fabricana Richmond during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I love it here. I didn't think that I was going to stay here for so long," she said.
Lui used to sew "a little bit" before working at the fabric store. Now, she makes her own clothes.
"It's just a really nice place to be. It doesn't feel like a job," she said, adding that employees "get along" and "have fun at work."
As a Richmond resident, Lui thinks the impact of the store closing extends far beyond losing the biggest selection of fabrics in the area.
Fabricana employees are well-versed in all things sewing, especially quilting and fashion sewing.
"If you have any problems, any questions, they can answer you," said Lui, adding that customers would often come in for advice and return to show off their creations.
"I think it's a big loss, but what can you do? It's the economy, right?"
'We pull through'
With less than two weeks until Fabricana's closing, employees are cherishing their last moments of working together.
"Don't remind me (of the closing)! It's sad, but we'll pull through," said Lui, adding that only half of the store inventory is left after a busy past couple of weeks.
"The company did not do us bad. Some of us were offered jobs to go to (the) Coquitlam store," said Collingwood.
"Unfortunately, we are all Richmond people. And it's a very long way for us to drive. So we decided that, you know, maybe it's time to retire."
When the closing sale is over, staff are planning to hold a big party.
"Everything has an end to it, I guess," said Lui.
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