Traditional values and modern flair at Miller’s Dry Goods
By Victoria Frank
It is a sewing aficionado’s paradise inside Miller’s Dry Goods, located outside of Millersburg in the small town of Charm. Over 8,000 bolts of fabric in every style and color fill the building the Miller family once called home. Originally founded by Amanda Miller in 1965, the shop now consists of two buildings – one for fabric and sewing supplies and one, known as the Quilt Barn, full of finished merchandise for purchase.
What began as a small collection of fabrics in the Miller family kitchen, quickly moved to the home of Miller’s father. After several additions to that building, Miller decided to use the old barn to accommodate the quilts, books, patterns and handmade items.
Today, the shop has been passed down through the family line and is currently owned by Mary Troyer, daughter of the late Miller. Troyer, along with her husband Paul, purchased and began operating the shop in January 2009.
“We’ve done some rearranging and opened things up to make it more appealing,” Troyer said of the changes she has implemented.
Miller’s Dry Goods specializes in everything a sewer would need to put together a project. The store carries thousands of patterns that range from traditional calico prints to newer, more modern fabrics. They have full lines of stencils, patterns, and books, as well as batting and sewing notions. In the Quilt Barn, they offer authentic hand-made Amish quilts, as well as other local made crafts such as placemats, hot pads, and pillows.
In fact, Troyer believes that the huge selection of merchandise is one of the key reasons people visit and become regulars. The store remains close to its traditional Amish values, but also keeps up with current trends to appeal to the younger generation of sewers. And finding the latest, greatest fabrics in the middle of Amish country is something that is often an unexpected welcome to many, especially when it comes to the line of Moda fabrics the store carries.
“It’s a very popular [brand],” Troyer explained. “They are a very well respected company with good quality fabric.”
The Moda brand specializes in precut fabrics that are often rolled or put together and referred to as jelly rolls, turnovers, and layer cakes, among others. Troyer complimented the bakery theme of the line by purchasing old bakery cases and displaying the fabrics creatively for her customers. The store also offers many patterns and books purposely designed for the precut Moda fabrics to make a project that much easier for the sewer.
Aside from the vast selection of fabrics, Troyer also focuses on great customer service to help her business grow.
“We have a great group of employees and we get lots of compliments on our customer service,” she said. “They are great with the fabric and can help pick out what and how much you need.”
Perhaps most impressively, Miller’s Dry Goods, although a traditional Amish shop, has begun to expand into the World Wide Web. Their Web site, www.millersdrygoods.com, highlights many of the store’s products, including the extensive fabric collection, jelly rolls, patterns, books, kits, and handmade items for sale. There are free pattern downloads, as well as online ordering for convenience.
Troyer also writes monthly newsletters that describe what is happening in her life, as well as the shop, with an outline of the most recent fabrics and supplies that have arrived at the store. She lets the sewing public know when upcoming sales and promotions will be happening, so they can plan their trips to Amish Country accordingly.
Within the future, Troyer hopes to expand Miller’s Dry Goods to include a guesthouse rental in a cabin on the property, as well as have a place for quilting and scrap booking retreats.
“It’s a huge project,” she said, “but it’s definitely a goal.”
Overall, Troyer believes that taking ownership of the shop was the right move for her and the family business. Growing up, she remembers sitting on the checkout counter and getting to know so many people that were inspired by her mother’s passion for sewing.
“Mom worked so hard, and I know she would love that the shop was kept in the family,” Troyer explained. “We have come a long way, but we still try to keep that small, hometown feeling. And we try to keep the friendliness in knowing our customers.”
Miller’s Dry Goods is open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with winter hours in January and February from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop can be found at 4500 SR 557, near Charm.
