A LakeFM listener has been dismayed to learn that Lincraft has announced it will be progressively closing its physical store network over the coming months.
In Taupō the fabric, yarn, sewing, haberdashery and home furnishing store is located in the Totara Street shopping area. It also offers quilting and dressmaking tools, sewing machines and accessories, plus paints, canvases, beads, and kids’ craft items.
An email to Lincraft club members on Tuesday (June 16) afternoon said the company was “sharing news that is both difficult and deeply emotional…. After more than 80 years of serving creative communities across Australia and New Zealand, we have made the decision to progressively close our physical store network over the coming months.”
Lynda communicated to LakeFM that she was “absolutely gutted” at the loss of another store in Taupō in today’s tough times.
The Lincraft email said the decision had not been made lightly and that it was committed to serving its customers throughout this period and helping them continue the projects and passions they love.
The store would continue to operate online, said Lincraft, “allowing customers to shop with us as the transition unfolds.”
It thanked club members for their “loyalty, friendship and creativity” and said it would continue to keep them informed about individual store closures.
According to the company website the business has over 50 stores in Australia and New Zealand and, ironically, “exciting plans to open even more!” An entry that might need updating.
LakeFM has approached Lincraft’s New Zealand head office in Dunedin for more detail on why the stores are closing but is yet to hear back.
History
Lincraft was established by owners John Maguire and Brian Swersky in Australia in 2005, with the retail chain specialising in craft, fabric, yarn, haberdashery, window furnishings, manchester and fashion accessories.
The business says it prides itself on valuing the ever-changing and evolving world of craft, sending our buyers to “the ends of the earth to the world’s major craft, yarn and fabric fairs, with strict instructions to source the latest in fashion and creative ideas and return with fresh inspirations.”
It offers a library of free projects in its “How To Make” series – ranging from bags to boleros, slippers to hoodies, patchwork quilts to Christmas scrapbooks – available in store or online.
In 2016, Lincraft launched its Lincraft Essentials store model. Lincraft Essentials are promoted as more intimate, specialized and compact stores focused on craft, fabric, patterns, wool and haberdashery products.
