By Jamie Taylor

A local businesswoman has stepped in and filled a local business need after the local Walmart store eliminated its sewing and fabric section when it recently underwent remodeling.

Jenny Smith opened Fabrics and More at 720 E. 2nd St. primarily as a response to the retail giant’s move and the response has been better than she expected. It is an unusual twist on the usual effect on "Main Street business" the retail giant stereotypically has had in many communities.

"I’d been thinking about it (starting the business)," Smith said. "But when I found out Walmart was getting out of it and I realized that I was going to have to run back and forth to Wausau too, that kind of bit."

She said while the majority of her regular customers have been Merrill area residents looking to avoid the trip to Wausau or Rib Mountain, there have been some pleasant surprises.

"I’ve had people come from Wausau, and Tomahawk," she said. "I’ve had some come back again."

In addition to material, Fabrics and More offers cross stitch and embroidery supplies, yarn for knitting and sewing notions. She said she has tried to offer a good selection of what Walmart used to carry but can’t include as wide a selection as their sewing department once had. If customers want something she doesn’t carry, she can special order it and have it within a week. Demand in some lines has increased what she offers on a regular basis, too.

"I’ve added more cottons and I’ve got a couple zippers and I’m getting more in," she said.

While Smith is serving a need in the community, she sheepishly admitted that she herself does not sew, knit or do cross stitch. The extent of her work with fabrics is making tied blankets.

"My sister does quilting and my aunt does some," she said. "I just saw a need and I’m trying to fill it."

Starting a new business during a down economy did give her some pause. Being a new store at the start of the Christmas shopping season resulted in a slower than expected start. Since then business has steadily increased, however.

"I’m happy with the people who have been coming and going and what I’ve been selling," she said. "It’s picking up."

In addition to having word of mouth help get the word out, the shop mascot, a beagle named Asker, sitting in the window waiting to greet customers also has given the shop a boast.

"She sits in the window and the kids come by and say ‘mom look at the dog in the window,’" she said with a laugh.

The store is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jenny Smith wielded the giant scissors Dec. 5 as she celebrated the grand opening of Fabrics and More with family, friends and members of the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce.