opposite top: The cheerful sitting room offers a comfortable place to rest while
waiting, perusing a book, or deciding on your next project. Staff members also do
demonstrations in this space. opposite inset: Bag projects are best sellers at
the shop. above left: The pineapple theme runs throughout the store in unique
displays. above: Carla Packs, which contain bonus quarters, 5" squares, and
2½" squares, fill one wall. The surrounding space showcases projects that can
be made from any of the packs, including a table runner, a car caddy, and a baby
quilt. left: Fabric packs and project samples inspire patriotic expression.over and expanded a company
started by Rick’s grandfather that
created swatches for textile goods
manufacturers to use in sales.
When a company in New York that
manufactured precuts went bankrupt,
Rick and Dot bought it and learned
about 21/2"-wide precut strips. Four
years ago, they decided to get into
retail sales online. In 2018, the
Kimelmans purchased Keepsake
Quilting and opened Pineapple
Fabrics retail space next door.
On most days, Dot can be found
in the Kimelmans’ warehouse in
Archdale, North Carolina, about
850 miles from Center Harbor,
where the fabrics for Pineapple Packs
are cut, assembled, and packaged.
The warehouse also is the site of
periodic sales that draw shoppers
from as far away as Michigan, Ohio,and Georgia. Heather Janitus
manages the day-to-day operations
of the shop in Center Harbor.
When Dot is at the shop, she
makes a point of chatting with
visitors to learn what they’d like to
see next. One conversation led
to offering 3-yard packages of
108"-wide quilt backing. Another
conversation sparked a pattern for
a quilting ruler carrier.