Though retired from her job at ACRMC, Maria Sowards of Peebles and her son Davis are now the proprietors of “Stitch Happens”, a newly opened screen printing business.

 

Retired business owner says ‘you pick it, we’ll stitch it’ – 

By Patricia Beech – 

Retirement is a time to do the things you always wanted to do, but never had time for, and that is exactly what Maria Sowards says she is doing in her new business, “Stitch Happens”.
“This is something I always wanted to try,” says the former MRI X-Ray tech who retired from the Adams County Regional Medical Center in November of 2017.
“When I was in elementary school, Florence Mason owned a screen printing business in West Union, and I thought I’d like to do that one day, so when the opportunity came up, I took it.”
Sowards and her 18-year-old son David, purchased the printing business from Mason, and installed the equipment in a small, tidy shop next to their home in Peebles.
“It’s a new venture for both of us,” she says. “We’re still learning to use all the technology that’s now available for a printing business.”
Sowards and her son use software that allows them to digitize their own designs.
“I don’t have to send anything away,” she says, “We digitize pictures into a sewing format right here in the shop, that’s a real plus for our customers.”
In addition to their digital designs, the mom-and-son team provide heat press letter printing for both cloth and vinyl products, as well as embroidery for shirts (including local school logos); window letter clings for businesses; banners; and personalization of Yeti cups and other vinyl products.
They also provide a variety of sports catalogs from which customers may order hats, shirts, and other sporting products associated with baseball, volleyball, softball, basketball, and football.
Sowards, who comes from a long line of local merchants, says business is in her blood, but admits she wouldn’t want to do it alone.”
“It’s a lot of work, but I’ve had help from a lot of my friends who are all so supportive, especially my husband Mike” she says. “We hope folks will come out and give us a try.”
Stitch Happens, LLC, located at 186 Rarden Road in Peebles, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The shop is closed every other Friday and Saturday. Sowards is also available by appointment for late evening work.
Call (937) 779-2303 for an appointment.