Well-Known Downtown McLean Fabric Store Closes

After 28 years of selling fabric, buttons and other sewing accessories, Curran Designer Fabrics closed last week.

The store is located on the second level of the Giant shopping center, across the street from the Staybridge Suites Hotel. "It was so wonderful," said Fery Virasteh, the store's manager of 22 years. "It was like a get-together. People would come and share ideas. We had classes for kids and adults ... we were busy back then."

The store had strong sales for many years. But slowly, its success began to wane. And like so many fabric stores, Designer Fabrics had to close its doors. 

Fabric and sewing shops have been victims of not only the current weak economy, but of the changing lives of women -- more women now work leaving little time for creating fashions at home.

"They don't have time," Virasteh said. "Young people are so busy with their life. They are buying things online. Sewing is very time consuming." Local businessman Rod Koozmin agreed.  "When I grew up, my mother was sewing," he said. "It was kind of a resource for her. Kind of a place to rejuvenate. But people just don't sew anymore." 

Virasteh, like many others, believes that the ease of buying online has played a role in the destruction of small businesses. A fabric shop allows consumers to physically touch and feel the fabric; something that is important to a seamstress. Virasteh believes this was one of the reasons that this specialty store operated so long.

It was known for its high-quality, unique fabrics and accessories. "If it was beautiful, we had it," said Designer Fabrics' owner and D.C. resident Terry Bertholf. "I'll tell you, we've never let down our standard of quality ... and we have lovely, lovely clientele." 

When it comes to buttons and fabric, preserving the standard of quality is not easy to do. "Finding good stuff is really really hard," Verasteh said. "We used to buy buttons from Europe, France, Italy ... but a lot of things are made in China now." The store prided itself on having a very large and unique button collection. But now the shelves are empty. Customers took advantage of the 75 percent off closing sale. Now only a few bolts of brilliant fabric can be seen peeking through half-packed cardboard boxes. 

Customer Joanne Haahr used to travel from Reston to purchase buttons from Designer Fabrics. "I've known [the owner] Terry for a long time. I will miss it a lot," she said. Koozmin agreed that it was worth the drive: "Everything was there. I know people in Reston that know that store. People know it far and wide," he said. 

The store drew customers from across the Washington area, and many in McLean, including some of McLean's best well-known residents. Virasteh spoke fondly of them. Lynne Cheney shopped at Designer Fabrics, as did Ethel Kennedy long ago. Alma Powell bought fabric for doll collections, and to sew for her grandchildren. "She has such a great personality," Virasteh said. "She is so nice."

Koozmin has a special feeling for Designer Fabrics as they helped him get his business going. Koozmin is a knife and tool sharpener, and owns the popular Rod's Sharpening Service. "They gave me my first big break," he said. He approached them, along with some large chains, about setting up a regular knife or scissor sharpening service at the store. Designer Fabrics was "very enthusiastic from the get-go," Koozmin said. He has been sharpening scissors there once a month for several years. "People would come back with their scissors. We would test them on a piece of silk or chiffon to make sure they were cutting well." 

Speaking of the store's closing brought a tear to Virasteh's eye. She spoke fondly of the store and Bertholf, it's owner. "She just has great taste," she said. Though Bertholf does not describe herself as a good seamstress; her daughter, Lisa Cafritz, quickly jumped in, saying "she is a beautiful seamstress." 

With Designer Fabrics now closed, Koozmin will continue to sharpen tools at local farmers markets and the Magruders in Vienna, Virasteh will look for work elsewhere, and Bertholf, the 85-year old owner? She says she's "ready to take it easy. Well, maybe a little," she added.