End of an Era
Today’s UBC suggested topic is seasons and one idea that Paul suggested was to write about what “season” your business is in right now. Actually I’ve had a blog topic ready to write and today is perfect since our business is at the end of an era!
Back in 2018 we semi-retired and closed Mar-C’s Interiors, our retail interior decorating business we stated in 1967. However sewing is in my blood and I couldn’t go cold turkey so we decided to keep our drapery workroom going part time.
I loved the work table Rich made, it was 60″ x 144″ complete with a padded top and shelves to store fabric rolls and supplies. We were able to “pick and choose” when we took an order so as to not get back logged and have orders stacked up so we would have to work around the clock.
Little by little we were getting as busy as we were before we retired! I have a problem were I just can’t say no to our wonderful clients, some who have been repeat clients over the past 25 years we’ve been in South Carolina.
Due to a few minor health issues with Rich and myself we made the hard decision to retired one again but this time we will sell our machines so we can’t say, “just one more order”. This was are last time we saw the beach at an install this past February.
We will never forget our many wonderful clients turned friends and the many window treatments and bedding we designed, fabricated and installed. So many memories but it’s time for an end of an era for Mar-C’s Interiors!
However Mama’s Minky’s will live on with the help from Lia the Minky quality control inspector! She started inspecting the Minky blankets then graduated to helping pin and sew them!
This is one of the reasons Mama’s Minky’s will live on. Lia loves to help me with the Minky blankets, not only for babies be we also love to surprise others. This is one she made to surprise her friend Brenda and Bella.
We love putting smiles on people’s faces. My long time friend who started out as a client way back in the 80’s had a stroke and was wheel chair bond. We decorated her master bedroom in a navy with pink fabric and she loved it. After her stroke I found a Peppa Pig fabric (she loved pigs) with the same color combination as her bedroom so Lia and I surprised her with a Minky blanket a few years ago. Sadly she passed away last year but she was one of the clients we will never forget. Scroll through this blog and you can see the bedroom fabric we used back in the 80’s and her Minky!
Thanks for this blog topic suggestion Paul, it took me down memory lane!
When i read that you sold your sewing machine i was like “nooooo, Lia may take over in a few years”, and the next thing I see is the picture of her, sewing!
What a nice surprise to gift your friend the Peppa Pig blanket. I am sure she loved it, and it gave her comfort.
I should have said “we will be selling our commercial sewing machines” Tamara. We can never be without some sewing machine plus Lia’s embroidery machine will stay also!
Wow Martha. Those are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your story and journey.
Thanks Samantha, I have so many wonderful memories from our clients over the past 50+ years!
Congratulations on ending this era, Martha! Your work is beautiful. Enjoy having more time to play!!
Some things are hard to let go of, especially when it is your passion. Mar-C’s Interiors will continue on, based on the pictures you shared. And now that you have Lia to help out with Mama’s Minky’s it will be timeless 🙂
We’ve “retired” from Mar-C’s before and I say this is it but one never knows when it will resurface again! Yes I hope Mama’s Minky’s go on with Lia and her mom even after I’m gone.
Martha, it’s so true that seasons change, whether we hold up a hand to resist them or not. On the other hand, you made important decisions to change seasons in your family’s life more than once. We can never know entirely what a new season will bring. But we can move on into it with as much grace as we can muster, eyes and hearts wide open, trusting God always has good for us. Hugs–
That is so beautiful Kebba. Seasons come and seasons go, just as in life or even in a rose! Hugs to you.
Martha is an amazing designer
We work great as a team Rich!
A woman of so many talents! Exciting to see how you teach all that you know to Lia!
Thanks Angie, we taught all our grandchildren to make pillows and Lia’s mom even worked with us for many years.
You have talent.
Thanks Amanda.