SHOP LOCAL: Calico and Ivy attracts generations of shoppers

MOSMAN Park’s Calico and Ivy gets generations of customers now it has been the local wool, dress fabric and quilt making shop for about 40 years.

“We now find a lot of the older women are bringing in their grandchildren,” owner Josie Parnell said.

The shop has been at its current location in Glyde Street for three years.

However, it had two other sites in the suburb and Cottesloe, where it has always supplied sewers, knitters, quilters and clothes makers with the materials they need during its previous four decades of operating.

“You develop long-term relationships with the customers and they in turn recommend us to people outside the area,” Ms Parnell said.

Workshops and classes at the back of the shop teach newcomers the needlework, fabrics and skills they need to make the most of the materials.

“We also support WA and Australian wools and yarns by stocking them,” Ms Parnell said.

The staff’s skills are the greatest assets for the shop.

“You get personal service, they share their knowledge and we have the time to help the customers with their knitting or whatever activity they do,” Ms Parnell said.

There is no comparison with the chain stores.

“The staff here are experts and know how to crotchet, knit, dress-make and quilt,” Ms Parnell said.

However, it isn’t just women and girls who are welcome.

“We get young guys knitting too now, because it’s popular with the millenials,” she said.