We have exciting news to share! We are thrilled to announce the next major step for Third Coast Stitches. In September, we will be purchasing The Classic Stitch in Winnetka, Illinois, and in Spring 2027 we will open a storefront in Wayzata, Minnesota. Our Chicago storefront will remain the heart of our business and The Classic Stitch will remain a singular, elevated needlepoint store with its own special feel. Each storefront will reflect the unique sensibilities of its neighborhood, and the connection that we, our staff, and customers have to the location.
We would be remiss to not congratulate Jane Hayes on the wonderful business she has built over the past twenty years. Jane will continue to work with us and will remain a presence at The Classic Stitch as we enter this exciting next chapter.
As we step into the next chapter, we wanted to answer a few FAQs about these changes!
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When will The Classic Stitch transition take place? The transition will take place in September. The Classic Stitch will close from early September through early October for renovations. Join us for a sale on 8/27 to 8/28 to catch a glimpse of the plans for the renovation and stock up prior to the closure. When we reopen in October, Jane and The Classic Stitch team will be there to help us navigate the next chapter of The Classic Stitch.
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Will Jane still work at The Classic Stitch? Yes, Jane will work one shift a week at the Classic Stitch.
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Will I still be able to pick up my finishing at The Classic Stitch? Yes, finishing pick up and drop off will be available during the construction closure. More details coming soon.
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Will I be able to pick up Third Coast finishing at The Classic Stitch and vice versa? No, we ask that you pick up your finishing at the location you dropped it off at, or email us to arrange shipping.
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Will my Classic Stitch or Third Coast finishing come back at a different timeline than was communicated when I dropped it off? All finishing will come back with the timeline that was communicated by the location that you dropped it off at.
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Will The Classic Stitch still carry the same fibers? Yes.
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Will my favorite Classic Stitch employees still work there? Our hope is that the Classic Stitch team will remain the same with the addition of a few new faces!
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Will The Classic Stitch hours change? No, we have no current plans to change The Classic Stitch hours.
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Will The Classic Stitch classes change? No, we hope to offer the same classes as are offered today at The Classic Stitch.
- Will The Classic Stitch still be called The Classic Stitch? The Classic Stitch carries an incredible legacy, and our goal for this transition is to honor that legacy by carrying it forward, while also uniting both storefronts. With that in mind, it will be called "Third Coast Stitches at The Classic Stitch" moving forward. You can expect to still see The Classic Stitch red around the store, browse the beautiful fiber lines and canvases that The Classic Stitch is known for, and chat with The Classic Stitch team when you stop by!
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Are you hiring? Yes! We are hiring for the below positions, all of which can be found on our Work With Us page.
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Store Manager - Full-Time - Winnetka
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Shop Associate - Part-Time - Winnetka
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Inventory Planning Associate - Full-Time - Chicago
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Shop Associate - Weekday - Part-Time- Chicago
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Shop Associate - Weekend - Part-Time- Chicago
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Retail Operations Assistant - Part-Time - Chicago
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Sewing Teacher - Part-Time - Chicago
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Ecommerce Fulfillment Associate - Part-Time - Chicago
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Why did you buy The Classic Stitch? Both of us (Mackenzie and Kathryn) have wonderful things to say about The Classic Stitch and how kind, welcoming, honest and open Jane has been with us over the past five years. She was at our opening day five years ago, and has been a meaningful mentor and friend to us as we have learned much about needlepoint, business, and life since then. Buying The Classic Stitch when Jane was ready to retire has been a longtime dream of ours. This dream made even more sense when Kathryn and Kendall decided to move down the street to Kenilworth last year. The Classic Stitch has an incredible reputation for customer service, advanced needlepoint expertise, and a wide offering of fibers and canvases. Purchasing The Classic Stitch provides an incredible opportunity for Third Coast Stitches to advance our needlepoint offerings.
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Why open two new stores so quickly? Our personal lives have grown alongside the business over the last five years – we’ve both gotten married, celebrated anniversaries, moved houses. Our lives have become so much more fulfilling with this business. Our husbands have been incredibly supportive as we take risks, grow, and build a plan for our future that fits both our customer needs, our team needs, and our personal lives. We have had the happiest memories over the past five years in Chicago when the four of us have been together. Late nights at the store, Summer days on the lake, Cubs games, and on and on. As we have all four (some more recently than others) turned the page into our thirties, our personal lives have changed but our friendship has not. Kathryn and Kendall moved to Kenilworth this past winter, and Mackenzie and Jack are imagining a new adventure for themselves in Wayzata, Minnesota. As both parts of our lives grow up - the store and our personal lives - these new locations will allow us to bring TCS to broader communities, as well as carrying on the legacy of The Classic Stitch on the North Shore.
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Do you have plans to open more stores? No, we foresee Third Coast Stitches maintaining our footprint of three meaningful store locations. Our goal is that each storefront maintains a unique feel and differentiated fiber and canvas offerings.
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Will the team at Third Coast Stitches stay the same? Yes - the team at Third Coast Stitches Chicago will remain the same.
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Will Kathryn & Mackenzie still spend time at Third Coast Stitches downtown? Yes! Mackenzie and Kathryn will split time between Chicago, Winnetka, and Wayzata.
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Will Kathryn & Mackenzie spend time at the Winnetka and Wayzata locations? Yes! Kathryn and Mackenzie will spend time at both stores, with Kathryn spending more time in Winnetka and Mackenzie spending more time in Wayzata.
Thank you for your support over the past five years and into this next chapter. We're so grateful for all of you and we can't wait for what's ahead!