Needleworks

In the mid-2000s, Dennis Francis and Susan Crossman were each running their own successful craft supply stores. For Dennis, it was sewing supplies and machines. For Susan, it was everything related to cross-stitching. But in 2007, they decided that, rather than run their two stores separately, they should go into business together. “Basically, we joined forces and each took one half of the store,” Dennis says. “Susan has cross-stitch related products on one half and I have sewing machines and quilting fabrics on the other half.”

The result is NeedleWorks & Your #1 Sewing Centre, Peterborough’s one-stop shop for cross-stitching, sewing, quilting and sewing machines. Together, Dennis and Susan have not only built a large, successful sewing store, they’ve also built a community of hobbyists. “What our customers create with fabric is just amazing,” Dennis says. “I love having them come in with their finished products and seeing what they’ve done. They’re really talented and I get to help them be creative and express themselves.”