 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
About
Us
In
August 1970, The Ribbon Gardner™ first opened its doors as a
specialty retailer of ribbons, lace, and buttons under the name Gardner's
Ribbons & Lace™ , in the first mall ever built in Arlington,
Texas. After three years of operation, it was evident that lengthy
mall hours were not a desirable feature of the location, so the shop
was packed up and closed. Everything was put in storage until July
1979, when Gardner's Ribbons and Lace™ reopened in a retail
strip center in Arlington, Texas. |
|
|
 |
|
Antique
ribbon barrels and box circa 1902-1912 |
|
|
The
concept of the business, as well as the space requirements, was greatly
increased upon reopening. The focus became a much broader product
mix, that included color and width selection in ribbons, many more
types of lace trimmings, as well as bridal laces, and a vast selection
of buttons. A heavy emphasis was placed on quality--- only the finest
in domestic and imported merchandise was included. Vintage ribbons,
lace, and buttons were also added to the product mix. With the exception
of antique buttons, none of the antique merchandise has ever been
retailed before--all are original shelf stock. Along with the increased
product lines and categories came an expansion in square footage--from
500 to 1400 square feet. Within a few years of reopening, an extensive
line of Czech bugle and seed beads were added to the selection. |
|
 |
|
Gardner's
Ribbons & Lace™ has moved three times since its reopening
in 1979, and with the most recent move in July 2001, came the change
in name to The Ribbon Gardner™. Now owned by Deb Gardner,
the daughter of the founder, R. C. "Coleman" Gardner,
the shop is situated in a quaint old |
|
Antique
ribbon cabinet - floor model with swing out doors |
|
|
| |
|
Antique
dry goods store fixtures |
|
 |
historic home built in 1911 in Arlington, Texas.
With
the 2001 move came three additional staff and family members. Cousin
Frank Gardner, who can be found in the shop on most Saturdays, builds
and maintains the website, helps with sales, and fixes all sorts
of annoying things that break. His 30 years of experience as a manufacturer's
rep in the fabric industry is also a great asset to The Ribbon Gardner™.
Marmalade, a robust, friendly orange male, and Toast, a sleek, dark
brown, bashful, female tabby, complete the family and hold important
staff positions in public relations. Marmalade has even recently
opened his own boutique inside of The Ribbon Gardner™. |
|
|
|
Beside
maintaining the standards set for offering the finest quality
and best possible selection of merchandise west of New York
City, The Ribbon Gardner™ now offers classes, designs projects
and writes feature articles for Creative Needle Magazine,
and offers its classroom space to outside users, such as the Wednesday
Weekly Crazy Quilters (open to anyone interested in crazy quilting)
and the Westminster Presbytarian Church Banner Ladies. The Ribbon
Gardner™ will also occasionally custom design and stitch wedding
garters and ring bearer pillows for individuals. |
|
|
Hundreds
of grosgrain stripes |
|
|
|
If
your travels ever bring you to the Dallas - Fort Worth area, a visit
to The Ribbon Gardner™ is a must! These pictures and the items
in our Online Boutique are but a brief glimpse of what is available
at The Ribbon Gardner™.
Thank
you for visiting our website. To those of you who already shop with
us, we appreciate your business. To old and new customers alike,
we look forward to serving your ribbon, lace, button, bead, and
trimming habit.
Deb
& Frank
Marmalade & Toast! |
|
|
|
|
Selection
of silk ribbon for embroidery - displayed on antique paper roll
holders |
|
 |
|
|
 |
Framed
private collection of
new and antique buttons |
|
|
