PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

May 25, 2005
                                               
Contact: Heather Corvey                                    
Phone:  503/981-6007 ext. 206
Email:   hcorvey@sierrapacificcrafts.org

New Stores Join Sierra Pacific Crafts

Heather Corvey, Executive Director of Sierra Pacific Crafts (SPC) in Woodburn, Oregon, has announced the addition of two new stores to their association.  One is located in Waite Park, MN and the other in Ocala, FL.

John and Diane Schlecht own Crafts Direct in Waite Park, and have nearly fifty years of retail experience between them.  Their son, Scott, manages the store.

“Our long-term goal is to be the very best craft store in America,” says John.  With their expansion in August 2003 to 40,000 square feet of retails selling space, Crafts Direct will be the largest independent craft store in the Midwest, offering their customers the most interactive craft shopping experience in the country.

SPC’s second new member store, Griffins Flowers, Frames, and More, located in Ocala is owned by Denny and Fran Griffin.

“We want to offer customers the best selection and highest quality products.  We strive to have our customers come into our store and say “WOW!”, says Denny.

As with many store owners in the SPC family, the Griffins’ goal is to grow their business and pass it on to their sons.

Begun in the 1970’s as a small Northwest co-op, Sierra Pacific Crafts today is a 60-store organization of independent craft retailers.  Their member roster includes select retailers from around the globe.  SPC strives to maximize the success of member stores and our vendor partners through cooperative strategies in marketing, purchasing, education, operations, networking and fellowship.

If you are interested in learning more about membership in Sierra Pacific Crafts, please contact Heather Corvey, Executive Director, hcorvey@sierrapacificcrafts.org, 503/981-6007, extension 206.

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