Bittersweet news…

Saturday, July 19 will be the last day that Old Flame Mending’s shop will be open for mending drop-offs. After that, we are accepting mail-in orders through July 30 before taking an indefinite hiatus. Mending classes will continue, online + at other venues.

I have had the fortune of working with the most amazing crew of sewists over the years, and the best shop staff I could ever ask for; Sarah, Meg, and Lee have all made coming to work a dream.  I’ve received support in all forms from so many people: business colleagues, mentors, partnerships, friends, family, and so much love from our customers and community. I’ve made so many friends through this work.

Creating this thing from scratch, building it, and sharing it with you has simultaneously been the coolest job I’ve ever had, and the hardest thing I have ever done. At this moment, I am pretty burnt out from trying new ideas for growth, and it is time for us to close our storefront- a decision that I have been contemplating for a while. I have put everything I have into this and I don’t currently have the bandwidth to continue.

I’ve watched other small businesses announce their closures, especially in the last 5 years. I wondered how I would handle this announcement when it was my turn. I always thought I’d be bitter about it— I’m not. I’m grateful. I’ve wanted to have my own business ever since I was in college and I feel really lucky to have spent my late twenties- early thirties doing this.

This project has given me meaning, joy, and wisdom, as well as professional development. I’m proud to have created something that felt connective and special. I’ve gone through the stages of grief about it and recently found acceptance. Which is a pretty good indicator that the time is ripe.

If you or someone you know is hiring for sewing, customer service, design, or production roles, we have an amazing team! I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with some of the most talented, kind, and dynamic people. I’ve learned so much from them and I know that they all have bright futures.

We also are hoping to end our lease on August 31. If you are looking for space to open a business in Avalon, I’d be more than happy to connect you with our landlord, Scott, who is a pretty nice guy and easy to work with. I personally think this place would be great as a coffee shop or a neighborhood market; a lot of our neighbors think so too.

I am currently searching for a job as well. I’d like to continue working in circular/ secondhand/ slow fashion, but I’m also game for other possibilities. And I’m probably going to keep teaching people how to mend so long as my right hand can hold a needle, because I believe that this work is necessary, especially in our current socio-political-environmental climate.

Who knows what the future holds~ energy cannot be created nor destroyed, and it’s possible that you’ll see Old Flame in another iteration someday. Then it will really be like running into an *old flame*. Maybe this is less of a “goodbye” and more of a “see you later.”

We hope to see you one last time on or before Saturday, July 19. From July 20- July 30, we will be open for pick up appointments only. Mail-in orders must be received no later than Wednesday, July 30.

We will finish up orders through August. Unclaimed orders will be subject to a shipping fee or donation.

Thank you for being part of this, we love you, and I am so sorry that I couldn’t figure out a way to make this work right now. Please don’t ever stop supporting the small businesses you want to see in your communities. I will share other mending businesses + resources once our books are closed.

With sincerity + gratitude,
Rebecca Harrison