News

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The Hen House has created a niche in Charlotte

THE COUNTY JOURNAL - April 4 2009
Lindsy Crandall - Staff Writer

The Hen House, a quaint shop downtown Charlotte, owned by Nancy S. Conn, is know for its primitive, vintage items. The store deals mainly with quilting, rug hooking, wool penny rugs, reproduction fabrics, and floor canvas material. Conn stays true to her own style which customers have come to expect and enjoy when they walk into her shop. Conn has created a loyal customer base that extends well out of the Charlotte area. The Hen House serves customers from many surrounding states, as well as California and Canada Primitive quilts have a vintage look As soon as you walk through the front door you’ll notice Conn prefers deeps shades of fabric. She also carries only designer fabrics made of 100 percent cotton, such as Moda, Red Rooster and Marcus Brothers.

Although Conn does display some of her own work, she chooses not to sell many of her creations.

“They’re too labor intensive,” Conn said. “When samples are made, the fabric and directions are put into kits to sell.”

Conn enjoys teaching new quilters by offering quilting classes on Tuesday evenings, Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays. She also recommends Jo’s little Women Club, a monthly get together taught by Debby Kenney. Participants create small quilts with reproduction fabrics.

“The individual attention given to each customer is the reason they keep coming back,” Conn said: “I think taking care of a customer is the most important thing.”

A website for the shop will be available soon. Visit Conn and her staff for supplies, kits, and quilter’s guides. The Hen House is located at 211 S. Cochran Avenue in downtown Charlotte. Store hours are 10 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (517) 543-6454.