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 In April of 2003 Merribee Needlearts took another big step to lead the needlework industry in a different direction. After 50 years in our old Duncan Street and 1960 location, we built a new 4,000 square foot bi-level needlework nirvana on Shiloh Church Road. To the left you can see a picture taken at the grand opening ceremony. In 2003 we have tried to set a new pace for the needlework industry by creating the largest needlework house in Texas. |
 Everything in Texas is big and our new store is no exception. We are proud to offer our needlwork customers amenities like exclusive parking, indoor and outdoor needlework lounges, guild and conference space, 3 classrooms, lodging for teachers, a huge selection of needlework supplies, and much more. To the left, you can see a picture of the new Merribee Needlearts built solely for you from the ground up. |
 In 1982, Merribee Needlearts narrowed its inventory to fill an exclusive niche in the needlework industry. At that time Merribee Needlearts began to focus on carrying fine yarns, handpainted canvasses, and high quality needlework supplies. We continue to specialize in a wide variety of quality products. To the right you can see a colorful display of our yarn in their bins. |
 When you come to our store you will find a wide variety of yarn, handpainted canvasses, books, kits, lap frames, thread, and services. In addition, you will find several lounge areas to relax in. To the left, you can see a comfortable table with chairs surrounded by an array of yarn and set up for you to settle down in to absorb what we have to offer. Vist our lounge page to see more places in our store like this. |
 To the left you will see a picture of one of the bedrooms we keep available for teachers. Throughout the year, popular teachers and designers come to our store to teach you their special techniques. For example, in May of 2003 Sandy Jenkins came to our store and taught needlework classes on exclusive handpainted canvasses. |
 To the right you will see a picture of the conference room on our second floor. The room is available for your guild meetings and conferences. The conference room is a floating floor with open ends to see the first floor. Attached to the conference room is a balcony over looking the street side. The conference room can accomodate up to 30 people and we have the available indoor and outdoor furniture to provide ample comfort. Please see the your meetings page for more information. |
 As for the history of Merribee, it is one inspired by continual change. Approximately 30 years ago our store carried a wide variety of craft related items such as string art and latch hook. For considerable time, Merribee appeared to be trouble free as consumers flocked to it for craft items. However, the craft market began to change as new competitors entered the retail craft industry. International chain stores inundated the marketplace and retailed highly discounted craft items. Inevitably, the smaller craft companies lost their competitive advantage and began to crumble. The Merribee Needlearts & Crafts Company dissolved in approximately 1982 along with several other national craft companies. At about the same time, a needlework savvy entrepreneur by the name of Karuna Sood assumed ownership of the troubled Merribee franchise. Mrs. Sood understood the changes taking place in the craft retail industry and developed a new strategy to compete in our local Houston market. |
 When the larger stores captured the discounted craft market, they left the service and high-end product market wide open. Mrs. Sood capitalized on the void in the marketplace and began to add depth to her high quality product lines. To the left you will see a picture of a part of our current fiber collection. By adding premium products such as fine yarn to her inventory, consumers soon learned they could find something unique in our store. In addition, consumers also discovered Mrs. Sood provided unparalleled customer service as everyone received her undivided attention. |
| Mrs. Sood progressively diversified her inventory by adding unique and different items including natural fibers, variegated yarn, and hand dyed yarns. Overtime, the image and public perception of our store changed into one of a specialized needleart store retailing products for knitting, crochet, cross stitch, needlepoint, and much more. Today, to the best of our knowledge, we have the only Merribee Needlearts store in the United States and with our new store we hope to continue to provide you with the best needlework supplies and service we can offer. |
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