What a great name for a Fabric, Craft and Art supply store. All it takes is an Imagination and you can accomplish almost anything.
Imagination Unlimited became the reality of a dream in 1982 in the little Southern town of Cardston, Alberta. We like to refer to it as the first town into Canada and the last town out of Canada on Highway 2, because it is situated 22 kilometers from the Canada/U.S. Border.
We are blessed with the surrounding of the Waterton National Park, the Canadian Rocky Mountains at their best all tear round, primarily ranching and farm country, and a tourist’s playground.
At Imagination Unlimited, today, we still represent the old fashioned craft and fabric industry as it was 20 years ago. You can purchase practically everything you need to make a quilt, sew a dress, paint a picture, knit a sweater, scrapbook a photo album, plus silk and dried flowers etc, buy a birthday present, in this one little store.
Ty Beanie babies and related products are a wonderful asset to our business, as well as many gift items, from real looking cats and dogs to flower arrangements, swags and wall hangings.
We service and repair sewing machines and sergers. Alterations and repairs and some custom sewing, along with scissor sharpening service. Consignments are also available.
In the past we have taught many, many classes, from chocolate parties, quilting, painting, flower arranging. Kids classes, seniors classes. Traveled many miles in snow storm, and even got lost a few times.
We offer all this to a customer base of approximately 1,400 residences in our town and surrounding area, plus the largest native reserve in Canada. Our closest competition is a 45 minute drive east, to Lethbridge. Two and one half hour drive north, to Calgary. The cross border shopping is also a very competitive market, as Great Falls and Kalispell valley is within a couple of hours away.
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Why did I choose to start a business in a small town? I guess I am part of the national average, when the question is asked why did you move to Cardston. I moved from Denver, Colorado in 1981 after retiring from a banking career with First Interstate Banking systems, to be closer to my family. The opportunity presented itself to open a craft store, as the existing one in town was supposedly going out of business.
After tireless hours of visiting stores of this nature in all of the surrounding area, it was decided that I would go ahead with my dream, and go for it. So where do you buy supplies... Good questions, keeping in mind this was before computers and internet etc. Talking to the competition was of no help. Actually they wouldn’t talk to me. Even when I explained my business was 2 to 3 hours away, they didn’t want anything to do with helping me find suppliers to start my business. So you read a lot of labels to find addresses, write a lot of letters, and then one day, someone told me about the Canadian Craft and Hobby Association, and there was a Trade Show coming up in May 1982 in Calgary. Well, after finding CCHA, there was no turning back. I couldn’t believe all the good information available, the suppliers, the support, the education etc.
At the first Trade Show, I met so many great people, made a lot of lifetime friends, who by the way are now retired and out of the business, or have changed careers several times, however, had it not been for their support and association, I don’t think Imagination Unlimited would be still in existence. To date I have not missed attending a CCHA Trade Show in Calgary.
In 1998, I was approached to serve on the Board of Directors of the Association. Never realizing 8 years later, I would still be serving on the Board. However, as past president this year, my term will be over, and once again I will be able to enjoy the show, take classes and shop, shop, shop. It has been a challenge, a pleasure, and rewarding to serve in every capacity on the Board. CCHA is a great organization. I cant’ imagine why anyone in business related to craft industry would not join, get involved and offer support to up and coming businesses. If nothing else, you make a lot of friends, meet a lot of people who understand when you talk about those customers, and most important of all you can shop under one roof for all the new products, what a time saver.
I would like to offer all you an invitation to come visit Imagination Unlimied, 257 Main Street, Cardston, Alberta. Open 9.00 a.m. To 6.00 p.m. Monday thru Friday, 5.00 p.m. On Saturday.
Zenieth Gaynor
Imagination Unlimied
Box 216 - 257 Main Street, Cardston, AB. T0K 0Y0.
Tel: 403-653-2633. Email: imagultd@telus.net
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