The Haberdashery

Chris Figge and Melody Litwin are the owners of the very eco-​hip Haberdashery on Union Street in Easthampton. They teach classes on such practical topics as sewing, keeping chickens, candle and soap-​making, and various home-​food preparations, including home beer brewing. Their shop sells items that relate to these activities.
I met them at their recent clothing-​swap event. The day required pre-​registration but no admission. People were asked to bring clean, seasonally-​appropriate clothing and to place it neatly in clearly marked areas for tops, pants, etc. It was very casual, low-​key, well-​organized, environmentally-​friendly, and great fun. I think that could equally describe the owners of the Haberdashery.
Because of my complicated schedule for the day, which included driving a kitten out to Auburn to someone who had already met and agreed to adopt him, I had kittens with me, and Chris and Melody kindly allowed me to leave the kitten stroller outside near the door (with a sign and cards for anyone who might be interested in meeting and adopting a kitten).
Would you believe that I found a set of flannel pajamas with a kitty pattern on a swap table to take home? (I’ll admit that I’ve never thought that I needed a set of kitty pajamas, but it just seemed like a little kismet that day.)
The entire set-​up and series of classes brought to my mind the west coast or what’s going on in Brooklyn. As it turns out, Melody lived in Brooklyn for 7 years, and Chris lived in Seattle before moving to the east coast. They met up at Rowe Camp, which they describe as a kind of «radical youth camp,» and feeling less than satisfied with traditional employment options, they dreamed of opening their own business. Clearly, they found the perfect neighborhood to do so.
I fell in love with the Haberdashery, with its old-​timey, homesteading feel, and its range of great classes. I’m looking forward to taking the sewing classes if I can get a clear series of weeks in line with their courses. I’ll definitely be back to shop at the Haberdashery.
Once I have a chance to see them on a typical day and to experience their classes, I’ll revisit my review!

I like funky little stores that have polished old wooden floors and ancient fixtures. I guess I am still a hippie in my heart. I actually met the owner of this business a few months back and I am glad to see this kind of establishment in town.
As the owner said, «We’re taking Haberdashery back to its original meaning, a notion’s store.» That reminded me of the notion’s counter at the old Montgomery Ward store in Michigan, an area full of odds and ends from balls of crochet yarn to children’s books, to needle threaders to toiletries and more.
But I was cheered to see this store for two reasons. The first is the opening of a store is a sign of faith in our faltering economy. The second will seem to go in the opposite direction, that is, this store aims to help people today whether the coming storms. After all, our grandparents and great-​grandparents made it through the Great Depression because they had skills most of us lack today. They could pickle, can and, even, make soup. They could turn a frayed collar, fix a torn hem and, even, sew on a missing button.
While the store stocks some lovely item like vintage-​style light bulbs and pretty note cards that aren’t your grandmother’s stationery, it also stocks many how to books and offers classes that range from home ec for kids 9 — 12 to how to kill a chicken.
It was difficult to determine the price range but I think that the sort of services offered make this a moderately price teaching facility.

Recently while walking through Easthampton we wandered passed The Haberdashery and decided that we would pop in to see what they had to offer. We were excited to see that this little hobby shop had a ton of great craft ideas and sold different materials for making some unique crafts.
The staff here was really polite, and walked us through their craft making schedule. This location seems like a nice place to spend some time with friends while making some fun items. We hope that we will be able to swing by soon to take advantage of their classes.