“Still Sewbusy” offers one-on-one customer service

By Mandy Walton

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 | 12:18 p.m.

Since July of 2007, Sandy Jones has operated “Still Sewbusy” at 331 Water Street. However, she’s been at work for many in Henderson for much longer. Embroidery and alterations are just a couple of the talents Jones offers the residents of Henderson.

After moving to Henderson more than 26 years ago, Jones purchased and operated the A-Z Fabric Store on Water Street. For almost 10 years, the store served sewers in Henderson who needed fabric, zippers, buttons, and thread. If you have lived in Henderson that long, you’ll remember that this was a time before all-purpose Wal-Marts existed. Jones closed the store in 1994 to spend more time at home with her children, but that didn’t stop her customers from finding her.

“I have never had to do any advertising,” says Jones. “It has all been through word-of-mouth.”

Jones learned to sew at the age of 8, and by the time she took home economics in junior high school, she was doing professional work for her teacher.

She told me that after buying a small, electronic embroidery machine, the business found her. Now she uses a very large and technologically-advanced embroidery machine as she creates logo-wear for most of the schools and sports programs in Henderson as well as some of the casinos, public safety officials, and other businesses.

The process is very interesting. She showed me how a graphic on a business card is turned into an embroidered logo on a shirt. The process goes from scanning the artwork into the computer, to digitally-creating the image to be stitched.

Jones said she is always busy, and the holidays are no exception.

“Christmas is probably the busiest time of year because lots of people want custom gifts -- names put on blankets and towels, etc.,” says Jones.

Alterations are another big part of her business. During the interview I started thinking of a few dresses I’d like her to alter for me once I reach my new year’s resolution weight-loss goal. Jones offers a one-week turnaround on alterations.

Probably the greatest service that Jones offers is the sense of home that you’ll get when working with her. You aren’t sending your clothes or gifts out to be worked on by someone you don’t know. She’ll even meet with you by appointment if you have something you need a little more customized.

“I love what I do,” Jones told me, quite a few times during our interview. I had no question about that after visiting with her.

Jones, as well as her business, reminds me of what Henderson was like before it boomed into a bustling metropolis: one-on-one customer service, by someone who knows you by name. It’s nice to know that a little piece of that still exists, and it’s right there on Water Street.