Rick Stiebel

B次元官网网址 Staff

It takes a variety of ingredients to perfect the recipe for a successful business, says Sylvia Ratcliffe, the owner of The Cloth Castle, which celebrates 50 years in Langford this year.

B次元官网网址淪ervice, service, service,B次元官网网址� explained Ratcliffe in response to what defines The Cloth CastleB次元官网网址檚 longevity. B次元官网网址淎nd making the customers feel like part of your family. The staff has been a real key to our success. They listen to what the customers want and are always trying new ideas and products based on the feedback from the people who come in. A key to keeping the business going is recognizing the different skills in your staff. They all have special gifts and qualities that have been essential to our success. They all volunteer in the community, and IB次元官网网址檓 so proud of that.B次元官网网址�

Although the majority of the storeB次元官网网址檚 customers are from across the Capital Region, Ratcliffe said itB次元官网网址檚 not uncommon to serve people from the U.S. and as far away as New Zealand and Australia. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 surprising how many people have heard about us through our advertisements in quilting magazines,B次元官网网址� she noted.

READ ALSO: Fundraiser benefits Sooke woman who battled ovarian cancer, then stroke

In addition to sewing machines, yarn, fabric, draperies and notions, The Cloth Castle has offered sewing, knitting, and crochet classes for beginners to advanced many years.

Natasha Cloutier, who started working at the store when she was 19 and has there for 26 years, finds teaching classes especially rewarding.

B次元官网网址淚 love it,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭eaching classes allows me to get to know people on a personal level. You get to share a lot of highs and lows and make personal connections with so many people. ThatB次元官网网址檚 something you donB次元官网网址檛 see in many businesses any more. The stories and experiences they share are woven into the quilts we make, and thereB次元官网网址檚 an enormous amount of satisfaction in that.B次元官网网址�

RatcliffeB次元官网网址檚 daughter, Maria Porter, remembers sitting on her grandmother, Ethel RatcliffeB次元官网网址檚 knee when she was a little girl, watching her knit and hook rugs. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 what was inspired me to be creative,B次元官网网址� said Porter, who started stocking thread and sorting yarn in the store at an early age.

PorterB次元官网网址檚 grandmother, who opened the first Salvation Army Thrift Store on the West Shore, started the original incarnation of The Cloth Castle, the Yarn Barn, 50 years ago on Goldstream Avenue where the Bank of Montreal is now located. Sylvia and her late husband, EthelB次元官网网址檚 son, Pastor Edward Ratcliffe, lived upstairs from the storefront in The Cloth CastleB次元官网网址檚 current location at 786 Goldstream Ave.

READ ALSO: Fix-A-Heart campaign returns to Greater Victoria Canadian Tire stores

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 such a personal connection to people and the community working here,B次元官网网址� Porter said. B次元官网网址淢y momB次元官网网址檚 here, my hubby MichaelB次元官网网址檚 here, my sister Bonnie and my nephew Bryan, and NatashaB次元官网网址檚 like a sister. ThatB次元官网网址檚 so special and something you just donB次元官网网址檛 see much of any more.B次元官网网址�

Ratcliffe is full of stories from the early days that hearken back to different chapters in LangfordB次元官网网址檚 history. B次元官网网址淲e had a bouncer from the Old Westwind pub who came in to take sewing lessons so he could make his own pants,B次元官网网址� she recalled with a chuckle. B次元官网网址淗e was quite a character.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard to believe weB次元官网网址檝e hit 50 years. My oldest daughter Bonnie was only seven when we were blessed with three more girls. IB次元官网网址檓 so happy to have a business theyB次元官网网址檝e been part of. My son-in-law and grandson work here now, so weB次元官网网址檝e gone full circle.B次元官网网址�

Another key element thatB次元官网网址檚 woven The Cloth Castle into the fabric of the community and beyond is RatcliffeB次元官网网址檚 proclivity for dispensing a hug when itB次元官网网址檚 needed most. B次元官网网址淢y background as a Salvation Army officer has always been about caring for people,B次元官网网址� said Ratcliffe, whose reputation for generosity and volunteering for worthy causes follows her everywhere. B次元官网网址淗ugs have always been a huge part of the way I deal with people.B次元官网网址�

Ratcliffe says she has no intentions of slowing down any time soon. B次元官网网址淚 love being here and I love the friendships IB次元官网网址檝e made with so many people, B次元官网网址� the 83-year-old bundle of energy explained. B次元官网网址淎nd thereB次元官网网址檚 always somebody out there who needs a hug.B次元官网网址�

rick.stiebel@goldstreamgazette.com

Like us on and follow us on