Interview with Holly Engelken, owner, and Kari Nichols, manager
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: Holly’s Quilt Cabin is part of The Quilt Cabin, Ltd. Our first store and location was the Quilt Cabin in Evergreen. After attending a quilt retreat, Holly partnered with the owner of the Evergreen store. Subsequently, Quilts in the Attic was purchased, then Quilting Up a Storm was created and eventually every location was combined to form Holly’s Quilt Cabin.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Holly’s has a very large selection of different quilting fabrics. We have a quilt pattern company, which allows us to create unique designs that showcase our fabrics. Holly’s also carries its own exclusive fabrics made specifically for our store that you cannot purchase at any other store. Our staff is comprised of quilters of all skill levels and we have the ability to help you create your own individual project from start to finish.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: Sharing our love of fabrics and quilting with our customers. We enjoy seeing projects that our customers bring in and hearing the stories of their quilts. Classes are especially enjoyable, as we get to watch our quilters blossom.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Our biggest challenge is not being able to reorder most fabrics. Our manufacturers do limited runs on fabrics and usually by the time we have it on our shelves, it is no longer in print.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Quilting fabrics are 100 percent cotton, so that is what we specialize in. We carry more than 6,000 bolts of fabric. We are a full-service shop. We sell fabric, notions, patterns and kits, as well as provide quilting services and private instruction. Our pattern company, Mountainpeek Creations, designs patterns that are distributed internationally, as far away as New Zealand and Africa.
Profile
Business: Holly’s Quilt Cabin
Address: 8210 S. Holly St., Centennial
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 1996
Contact: 720-529-9659, 888-768-5922,
Employees: 28
