CLINTWOOD, VA – JANUARY 10, 2025 – When Stephanie and Blake Little decided to open Little Notions Quilt Shop in Clintwood, VA, they did so with an eye toward offering more variety and options to quilters in the area and for Stephanie to be able to share her love of quilting with others close to home.
Little Notions Quilt Shop, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“In addition to offering fabrics and quilting supplies locally, Little Notions Quilt Shop is also proposing to focus on the creative tourism potential of the business by offering workshops and quilting retreats in the future,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects two full-time and one part-time employee within five years.”
Stephanie Little noted they signed a lease in late December on the new storefront location at 165 McClure Avenue in Clintwood and plan to open the shop in the next few weeks.
In addition to fabric and quilting/sewing supplies, the shop also carries Lion Brand yarn, starting with a small selection of their options which Little said will be expanded as the shop gauges interest in more or different products.
“Additionally, if there’s ever anything specific our customers would like to see us carry, we ask them to let us know,” Little said. “If we get enough requests and interest for the same types of items, we will do our best to start offering those.”
Little said she found her love of quilting through her Mother, Tammie Mullins; and grandmother, Shirley Hackney, who she grew up watching sew.
“Mom bought me my first sewing machine when was about six or seven,” Little said.
It was during the Covid year she said that she took up quilting.
“Mom taught me how to quilt then and she told me stories of my grandmother,” Little said. “To shop for supplies, we had to go into Tennessee or into Kentucky or online. Mom is an invaluable resource. She has 30-plus years of quilting experience.”
Little said she plans to set up a few sewing machines in the new shop for those who might like to give sewing a try to see if they like it before investing in purchasing a sewing machine of their own. In the future she also hopes to offer sewing machine repair and as the shop gets up and running, classes; and to work with the Breaks Interstate Park to offer a quilting retreat.
“There’s a saying out there that ‘quilters will drive to the ends of the earth for a good quilt shop’,” Little said, adding she wants Little Notions Quilt Shop to be just that shop.
The VCEDA grant will be used to supplement store inventory and for operating expenses.
“Receiving the grant really gave us the courage to be able to do this,” Little said. “It’s not just about the money, but it’s about people believing in us and what we are trying to accomplish. It really means a lot.”
The Littles worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing their application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority.
“Mountain Empire’s Small Business Development Center is proud to have supported Stephanie and Little Notions Quilt Shop,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC director at MECC. “The Small Business Development Center truly enjoyed learning about the intricate culture of quilt-making and how it weaves together history, storytelling and artistry. It’s inspiring to see how this craft not only reflects the past, but also highlights the incredible talent and creativity of our local community. Supporting this project is an opportunity to preserve and promote a rich tradition that celebrates our area’s craftmaking heritage.”
“The Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) is proud to partner with VCEDA to support The Little Notions Quilt Shop,” said Dickenson County IDA Executive Director Dana Cronkhite. “Businesses like this not only preserve and share our rich heritage, but also play a crucial role in shaping the future of Dickenson County. By attracting visitors eager to experience and learn more about Appalachian traditions, the Little Notions Quilt Shop strengthens our community and fosters economic growth. Supporting innovative ventures like this is essential to keeping our culture alive, while building a vibrant and sustainable local economy. We are thankful for the VCEDA Seed Capital program, which allows businesses such as the Little Notions Quilt Shop to have an opportunity to succeed that they may not have otherwise.”
Little Notions Quilt Shop may be reached by calling 276-870-8947. The business also has a page on Facebook.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.