Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 11/02) - A new store in Stanton Plaza is offering a much-needed service to Yellowknife and Northern community quilters.

The Quilter's Getaway held its grand opening Saturday.

Its customers will have access to fabric, supplies and classes to hone their skills.

Helen Simpson, who has been quilting for the past five years and an avid sewer for the past 20, opened the store.

Not only is the new business a fulfilment of one of Simpson's dreams it satisfies a community need.

"There are so many quilters in Yellowknife.

The store offers another service in town," said Simpson.

Currently the Quilter's Getaway is the only store dedicated to quilting, and according to Simpson the second place where quilters and sewers can buy fabric.

"We offer the higher-end fabric you can't find anywhere else in town," said Simpson.

"The only other place you can buy fabric in Yellowknife is Wal-Mart."

The store will also offer evening courses with a variety of quilters that will cater to the beginner all the way to the advanced quilter.

"We've started a newsletter if they want to come in and put their names on the list we'll send them a newsletter," said Simpson.

Eventually she also wants to feature some renowned quilters to teach her classes.

It is Simpson's goal to not only serve Yellowknifers, but residents across the North. She plans to take her business online.

Customers can also buy membership to the Yellowknife Quilter's Guild from the store.

Any member of any Canadian quilting association will also be offered 10 per cent off store prices.

Simpson will be operating the store with the help of three casual employees.