Jacksonville Review – October 2023

Debbie Carruthers, owner of Country Quilts, inherited her store and her ability to mend beloved heirlooms from her mother Marge Wall, who started the family business in 1987. Unfortunately the condition of Jacksonville’s oldest surviving retailer calls for repair beyond the power of needle and thread. 

“We’re struggling. We’re trying. I think we’re going to be fine. I really do. It’s just that right now, paying the rent is rough.”

Being displaced from their thriving and highly-visible store on California Street added to the list of unforeseen challenges that started with COVID and grew larger after September 28, 2022. The electrical fire that destroyed Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant that morning caused extensive smoke damage to the shop, Trotting Fox Boutique and Melody Blore’s art studio.

Debbie expressed heartfelt gratitude to the city for temporary use of Old City Hall after the fire occurred. While grateful for her current location at 130 N. 4th Street, she profoundly misses the visibility and foot traffic on the main street.

“Before we moved, we were doing phenomenal.” Debbie attributes her post-COVID and pre-fire success to the strength of the “buy local” campaign during the pandemic. She reports that the Fall 2021 season was one of her best ever.

During that time, local customers re-engaged their loyalty and reacquainted themselves with the store’s reputation of extensive, high-quality inventory. Debbie still carries 800 hand-stitched and machine-stitched quilts. Her collection is a combination of new and historic pieces that date back to the 1800s. She also has a substantial selection of fabric and sewing supplies.

Since the fire, Debbie resourcefully patched together repair work, generosity of loyal customers, support from her sewing guild community, success at quilt shows and creation of custom quilts—most recently t-shirt quilts—to sustain her business this past year.

While business has diminished, the nostalgia of stepping back into time at Country Quilts has not. A plethora of quilts hangs in the back of the store, display cases of Jim Shore figurines fill the entrance, fabrics (up to 108”), embroidery floss and kits, batting and fabric bolts occupy the front of the store.

Debbie’s genuine care for her customers and earnest dedication to this art form have not faded. May Jacksonville hold her safe and return her kindness by forming a quilting circle of support while she creates her art, honors her mother’s legacy, and finds success again.

Please visit Country Quilts at 130 N 4th Street (across the street from the J’Ville Inn parking lot) and contact Debbie Carruthers at 541-891-4967 or 541-899-1972. They will be at Hugo’s Ladies Club & Schoolhouse Quilters Quilt Show on October 6 & 7, 9am-3pm. 6050 Hugo Road. Hugo, Oregon. Admission is free.