From the Depths to the Heights in One Day!
 

Let me start by saying I love my Baby Lock Unity & Elizabeth - my original dealer, not so much. The buying and financing were fine, but I didn't get the support I expected or need to utilize all my wonderful Unity can do ( I'm good with Lizzie she's my travel/classes girl :thumbup:). Needed some help and advice on embroidering phrases on one of the inner borders on a donation quilt I'm making for my school. Called my dealer to talk to the person who functions as their instructor- she wasn't available & is calling back (well they're closed for the day & didn't get a call...) I asked the person on the phone if they had a continuous hoop in stock-that's when the bomb dropped: "Well we're no longer a BL dealer"...
So after much searching got the BL corporate # to get connected to Customer Service. A lovely woman called me back, listened to my story & my heartfelt wish that I had chosen the dealer in Tampa-who was a little farther but has an excellent reputation, and offers many BL instructional classes. She said she would call them, explain and ask that they become my dealer. An angel of mercy from Keep Me in Stitches called me within minutes to tell me yes, they will be my dealer, but I won't have to travel to Tampa because they are opening a dealership AND Quilt Shop next week just down the road from me by Largo Mall! I am beyond excited and just had to share :-) Of course it is my duty as a citizen of Largo to support the local economy :-) If you're in our area of FL this winter be sure to visit them and our other wonderful quilt shops--we're a Quilting hot spot!

I am so glad things worked out for you! I predict many visits for your to your new local BL dealer to help boost the local economy! That's what I tell friends and family when I go shop hopping. I am helping the regional economy! Those who quilt that know me completely understand!

That's wonderful! So happy for you.

It sounds like BL corporate is replacing a so-so dealer with a great one. Wonderful news for you!

We will be visiting Punta Gorda in three weeks. Is Largo Mall close to the Ft. Myers area?

I am thrilled for you. This feels almost like a rags-to-riches story! Thanks for the heads-up that the shop is in Largo. We may visit our daughter who has moved to St Pete (from here in Maryland) --that looks about 1/2 hour from Largo, so very doable!! I try to pick up a "souvenir" from every quilt shop I visit while traveling.

Yay!! And good riddance to a baddealer....I should know..I've got one of those too. >:( Whatexciting news and just how fantastic! And yes, you MUST support alocal business as often as you can. ;)

Zozee check out the directions below-you all will also want to visit Country Quilts & Bears in Clearwater, Rainbow's End in Dunedin, and Happy Apple Quilts in Palm Harbor.

Our DSM are just like cars. We need a good dealership to help us keep it running.

No, it is not near Ft. Myers but if you are driving and going down I75 it would be on the way. It is near Clearwater FL. While you're at it stop by Rainbow's End Quilt Shop in Dunedin too.

what a nice outcome for you... and a nice post to support the new shop opening soon. It's always nice to support local.

I don't know this area very well but am lucky that my job is taking me in your direction. I was just in the Clearwater area at Safety Harbor and visited two shops. I loved Happy Apple Quilts. They were so personable. The next shop I visited, something with "bears" in the name, was having an end of the bolt sale so I found a slim bolt to buy from! I will be in St Petersburg in April. Any suggestions for shops to visit?

Keep Me in stitches is definitely a good shop - and I LOVE Rainbow's End!!

Wonderful news for you, glad it all worked out.

So happy for you. Disappointing when you purchase something and find out there is no support or backup. Same as a store going out. I really enjoyed going to Hancock's then they closed up shop. Nearest is 2 hour drive. I'll spend the driving money here at the local shops. Congrats! Love it when they are so near and supportive!!

Used to live in Largo, on 66st.N Down Yonder MHP. Moved there to take care of Mom and Fred, stepfather. Met second HD and we moved to Homosassa, with lots of trips for Mom. They are gone and I don't get down there now. Where is new dealer? Tri City plaza? Of course there are a lot of stores down there.

I will be spending the winter in Bradenton for the first time. Only spent 5 days thére this past spring so I don't know the area very well. (From Michigan). About how far from Bradenton is this new mall? Are there any recommendations from any of you on the quilt shops in the Bradenton/Sarasota areas?✳

Great story, wonderful outcome and you never know when we travel to Florida!

So glad that it worked out for you!!! Yeah!!!! Have fun at the new store!

When you get the address please post. Thx!

Sue's Bay Area Sewing is on U.S. 19 in the Palm Harbor area. Use Google to find her exact location because I think she moved several blocks recently. Most helpful store.

Carol- Tricity Plaza is on East Bay which runs parallel to Ulmerton where the new Keep Me in Stitches is. Coming from Homosassa there's a really nice shop in Plant City called Inspire, and Keep Me in Stitches has 2 great shops in Tampa.

Kaye- Country Quilts & Bears is a great shop and so is Happy Apple both have good selection, great customer service and wonderful classes- you will need to visit the new Keep Me in Stitches in Largo on Ulmerton when you come to St Pete. Their 2 shops in Tampa are known for their great customer care and classes, and I'm sure the new shop will be the same besides fabric etc they are Babylock and Bernina dealers. Sue's Bay Area Sewing is known for tremendous thread selection and notions-they don't have fabric, they are a machine dealership too. Rainbow's End has the largest selection of fabrics of any place I've seen in Florida-definitely worth a trip to Dunedin.

How great is that!

Several shops in Bradenton/Sarasota area. Quilter's Journey and Quilter's Stash on Lockwood, Cotton Patch on Cooper Creek and Alma Sue's on Bahia Vista, just to name a few. This Canadian will be in Bradenton also this winter.

You are making me even more excited to move to Largo this coming spring!!!