The art of sewing is alive and well in Red Deer.
At least that’s the observation of Carrie White, owner of Sew Savvy Café.
Since opening her sewing-themed coffee shop in April 2013, the accomplished seamstress has had a growing number of students come to her for lessons.
But changes are pending, White confirmed on Tuesday. Most notably, she plans to relocate from her current No. 103, 4916 Ross St. premises to 5005 Ross St.
There, she’ll share the building that was the longtime home of Red Deer Community Clothing Service — better known as the Red Deer Clothing Bank — with Red Deer Hot Yoga and an a related juice and smoothie bar business.
White said the new space is better suited to her needs, although she plans to discontinue Sew Savvy Café’s food and beverage service.
“There will no longer be a café portion, so the word ‘café’ will be used differently.”
White explained that customers will be able to grab refreshments at the nearby juice and smoothie bar, and enjoy them in her space.
“There will still be a social environment,” she said, adding that the sewing classes will become her focus, along with the growing demand for custom work, such as prototype garments for textile businesses.
Sew Savvy Café will also continue to sell fabrics and rent sewing machines by the hour or day. White is optimistic that having three businesses in close proximity to each other will create synergies.
“This should work out great,” she said, pointing out that her old premises are too big for her needs.
She said she wants to remain in Red Deer’s downtown.
“I fell in love with the community,” said White, who moved to Red Deer from Oklahoma about seven years ago.
White expects to close out her existing shop the last week of July, and reopen at her new location by mid-August.
She anticipates that Sew Savvy Café will then operate from Monday to Saturday as compared with its current Tuesday-to-Saturday schedule.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com