Along with so many others, I’m saddened at the plans for the current Island Quilter space. Island Quilter offers a destination for quilters and stichers, a glorious burst of color on gray winter days and a perpetual source of visual inspiration. The store hosts workshops for kids and adults and regularly brings the rock stars of the quilting world to our island to share their passion for vivid color. Many of us have been drawn to quilting by the store’s beauty and Paul and Anja’s encouragement.

Quilters who come to town get lunch nearby, visit other stores and stay on the island during workshops. Their enthusiasm and their trade bring vitality to our town center.

One hopes that plans can be reconsidered and that a win-win deal could still be found for the current owners of the building, the prospective buyers and Island Quilter. The proposed exercise studio seems highly redundant in our retail center. I fear that a year from now we’ll be passing an empty storefront instead of a vibrant business that draws visitors and uplifts our spirits. We’d rejoice to keep Island Quilter as an anchor of our creative community.

— Margot Boyer