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F.K. Textiles saying farewell and thank you to Bradford (7 photos)

Customers are invited to drop by the store, until the end of April - when it will be closing

After 36 years in business, F.K. Textiles will be closing its doors at the end of April - but it’s not a tragedy, says Colette Alblas, daughter of founder Fred Kamphuis Sr.

It’s a family decision, made after long debate and much discussion.

Fred and Trynie Kamphuis already had a thriving business in Rexdale, when they decided to move to Bradford in 1984, and purchased the store at 7 Holland St. West from the Stedmans.

They opened F.K. Textiles, a fabric and upholstery shop, which quickly became the go-to destination for sewing and quilting supplies, custom upholstery, blinds and window treatments in Bradford. The store offered a wide range of quality products and fabrics at great prices, provided expert advice, and always ‘put customers first’ – and Trynie’s original hand-made quilts not only provided decoration for the store, but inspiration for many crafters.

Three of the four Kamphuis children – Fred Jr., Collette and Ian – increasingly took on the running of F.K. Textiles, as their parents retired to the sidelines, although Fred Sr. continued to work on drapes into his 89th year, and Trynie continued quilting.

Business was good – but the children realized that F.K. Textiles was at a crossroads.

To thrive in today’s changing economic environment, the store would either have to expand, hiring additional staff, holding more courses and workshops, moving into online sales, or ‘simplify.’

The decision was made to simplify, cutting back on in-store stock and focusing instead on the custom upholstery and window treatment side of the business - at some time in the future.

But circumstances changed the timing, beginning with the lengthy illness of Ian, only now slowly recovering after months in hospital, and the passing of Fred Kamphuis Sr. on July 26, 2019 in his 90th year.

The family decided to implement their plans sooner rather than later.

So, starting Tuesday, March 3, everything at F.K. Textiles – fabrics, foam, upholstery materials, threads, buttons, trimming, patterns, with the exception of custom cuts of foam and custom orders - will be 25 percent off, with plans to close the store at 7 Holland St. W. at the end of April.

The closing sale will include several of Trynie’s hand-made quilts, and possibly even the original cash registers, two from Stedman’s and one from the Kamphuis’ store in Rexdale, recently discovered in storage.

“It’s bittersweet,” admitted Collette, but she calls the closing sale “more of a celebration of the goodness over the past 36 years. The focus is on being thankful, especially to our loyal customers.”

Fred Jr. has plans to continue the blinds, upholstery and foam side of the business, at a location still to be announced, but the family stands firm behind their decision to “simplify” and close the store on Holland St. West.

“We really made a good decision,” Collette said, inviting customers to come in and be part of the celebration.


Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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