THERE is a new shop in Andover and it is taking the town centre by storm after a very busy opening day.
Sew Confused Fabrics has opened in the Chantry Centre after months of build-up and years of effort by its owner, Laura Waters.
Speaking at the opening whilst cutting fabric for very pleased customers, the businesswoman said: "It's been exciting. Nerve-wrecking as well and it's made me feel every emotion possible.
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She said: "I searched Winchester, Warminster and Salisbury. I searched for a year for the right location.
"We settled here. We researched the right place."
Sew Confused Fabrics had been an online company but feedback from customers and strong sales encouraged Laura to open a shop.
Laura said: "My customers have wanted it for a long time and that's what made me do it properly.
"It's what the people wanted."
The new shop is located at 26 Chantry Way and opened its doors for the first time at 9.30am on Saturday, February 8, but people had been queuing to be the first through the doors.
Part of the fanfare could have been down to the promotion offer of a goodie bag for the first 30 paying customers, but, equally, shoppers remarked on the good stock and affordable prices.
Tricia Strong, 58, from Andover, went to the opening with her friend, Tina Jones, 48, also from the Test Valley town.
Tricia said: "They're good quality, reasonably priced fabrics. With the people coming today, it's obviously what a lot of people have been waiting for."
Tina, who has been crafting on and off for 20 years, said: "First impressions, it's really good with a good variety of haberdashery."
Amy Robbins took her husband and two daughters to the grand opening and said the town was the perfect place for the business due to its underground craft scene.
Amy, 35, said: "I'm coming in to make a dress and it is hard to come by the right fabric when you go online.
"We've got a hidden craft underground in Andover, so crafting shops are quite popular."
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Laura was also joined at the till by her husband, Mark Waters, who said the shop was the realisation of her dreams.
Mark, 51, who works at Ocado, said: "This is Laura's many-year dream of opening a fabric shop.
"Ever since she got into sewing 15 years ago, it's something she's always wanted.
"And here we are, open in Andover."
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