For nearly 20 years, Ann’s Embroidery has been a staple in downtown Columbia, providing custom clothing, hats, plaques and so much more to Marion County.
The business, owned by Ann Sanders and located at 730 Main St., embroiders clothing and hats, digitizes logos and custom makes plaques and patches. Sanders said that if she can get it under her machine, she’ll do it.
“We’ll always do our best to take care of our customers,” Sanders said. “I don’t turn a lot down. I don’t send it out to anywhere; I do it myself.”
Sanders began sewing when she was 15 years old, and when she got tired of working for somebody else, she turned to her husband, Jeffery, for advice. He told her to do what she does best — sew. She spent two years researching what it would take to start her own business and purchased the best equipment available. She officially started her business in 2001 (just 10 days before Sept. 11) in a 6-foot-by-10-foot room and opened in Columbia in 2003.
Sanders said there are a lot of people who will purchase an embroidery machine at home and don’t understand why it’s not the same. The reason, she said, is because they’re not using business-quality equipment or materials.
“I bought these machines in particular,” she said. “The quality is there, and that makes a difference. I have every kind of frame you can imagine to do whatever we need to do.”
Sanders is joined by Yumina Warren in the shop, and Sanders said Warren is a very special person.
“I don’t know what I’d do without her,” she said.
Ann’s Embroidery has been expanding its business and can print T-shirts now and houses Jeffery’s woodwork. There is some added variety coming soon with Marion County Strawberries (Haydenmade) being available at the store. The woman makes custom chocolate covered strawberries that have beautiful designs.
“They’re real good,” Sanders said. “We’ll take the orders and the information, and she’ll call them.”
Sanders said she thanks her loyal customers and appreciates them completely.
“I’ve got the most loyal customers. They’ve just been awesome,” she said. “I’ve watched these little kids grow up, graduate and go on to college, and it’s been great.”
Ann’s Embroidery is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Friday. It can be reached at (601) 444-0011.
