PITTSBURG, Kan. —
On a day off from work in early March, I drove to Joplin to get a 50-cent skein of embroidery floss from The Needle Niche on East Fourth Street, across from the Globe.
It was an emergency: I was one skein short for a cross-stitch cat project I was making for my sister-in-law, and her birthday was just days away.
It wasn’t earth-shattering news last week, but welcome news indeed, that The Finishing Touch, a frame shop at 622 N. Broadway in Pittsburg, is now an official DMC embroidery floss distributor. It’s the only place in town to get it.
RuthEllen Simpson, a long-time cross-stitch enthusiast and owner of the Finishing Touch, says she is thrilled to begin carrying a variety of stitching supplies including kits, pattern books, a variety of needles, foldable scissors and cross-stitch cloth in a variety of counts and colors.
“As a stitcher, I always dreaded having to make a drive to get what I needed. I know the people in this area will be just as thankful as I am to have these supplies at a more convenient location,” she said.
She started with the basics, and is adding more variety each time she orders. Now celebrating 30 years and just last week boasting a brand new awning, the company will handle specific requests for customers.
Store hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Simpson encourages any customers to visit www.finishingtouchpk.com to view craft supplies currently in stock.
Elsewhere in Pittsburg, longtime business Cronister Ace Hardware is closing.
Owners Brian and Donna Cronister are retiring after 26 years, but will continue to work two to three days per week at their store in Girard.
The Cronisters say they hope retirement affords them more time to play with grandchildren, travel, golf and spend more time at their home on Grand Lake.
The couple purchased the Pittsburg Ace Hardware store in 1985. Brian’s background in construction led him to carry specialized products.
Their three children, Brianna, Keith and Matthew, grew up around the business and have continued to help their parents at the store, with Matthew managing the store in Girard.
The retirement sale at Ace is in full swing, with Christmas inventory already out on the shelves.
“The best part of the business has been getting to meet so many great, friendly people in the Pittsburg area,” Brian said.
Have a suggestion for a future column? Email astefanoni@joplinglobe.com.
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