The business moved from its original location, 16 East Brown St., to 261 Wayne Ave. near PRESS coffee shop in the Oregon District in 2013.
The eye-popping sewing shop “with a modern style and a pinch of vintage inspirations” holds classes, does alterations and sells pattern, fabrics, notions and other supplies.
Active Spaces’ Pop-Up Project aims to reactivate and beautify vacant storefronts with creative displays, encourage entrepreneurs and artist to occupy spaces and to showcase downtown properties and increase interest and investment in available space.
Below, we asked Jesy Anderson to tell us what she loves about Dayton.
What’s your job?
Co-Owner Of Sew Dayton.
What is your favorite spot in Dayton?
The Oregon District. It’s buzzing with retail, eateries and fun specialty businesses. It’s awesome to see people starting up their dreams right here downtown.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Tattoos. I love getting them. I love looking at them. We have SO many talented artists in Dayton. I sometimes feel that the tattoo artists get left out when we talk Dayton and art. I love going to Gem City Tattoo on 5th street in the Oregon District. They are awesome, friendly, funny, talented and most off CLEAN. Monkey Bones and Wells & Co. are two amazing shops to have work done as well.
What is one word people would use to describe you?
Silly! I am always smiling, making faces and just having fun.
Why did you decide to settle in Dayton?
I was born at Grandview and lived in Dayton or Kettering most of my life. It's home. We moved around for my parents' jobs when we were younger, but we always settled back in Dayton. There is no place else like our little city.
How did you get involved with Sew Dayton?
I got involved with Sew Dayton and Tracy McElfresh, my business partner, kinda of by accident. I worked at NewPage Corp for 11.5 years (previously Mead Paper/MeadWestvaco). It was a Dayton staple at one time. Things happened. My job was eliminated, and I was devastated. But with all bad, there is always good. I met Tracy shortly after opening my own business, JKessel Design. Tracy and I talked, we clicked, she made my wedding dress. She had asked me to be her business partner and I agreed. Two years later, here we still are. Dayton has been nothing but awesome for us. We are so appreciative for every single person that walks through our doors.
What was the most challenging part of that?
The most challenging was the Activated Spaces two-week turnaround for opening up shop. The good part is we worked on our business plan for 6 months leading up to the Activated Spaces acceptance. We knew, even if we didn’t get in with Activated Spaces, we were still going to open up a shop. But neither of us are/were wealthy, so we were trying to figure out the best way to have capital without having to borrow money from banks.
How did you push through the challenge?
We had a crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter. We were able to raise enough to place a good-sized fabric order, get used and refurbished furniture from my dad and our houses. We had tons of donations of vintage items that we sold at the shop to start with then, turned that money right back into opening accounts with fabric companies. We have done our best at not borrowing a lot of money and turning our money right back into more inventory.
What inspires you about Dayton?
Dayton is full of talented people. It amazes me the ideas and concepts that are born here. We are full of pride, spirit and kindness. I love seeing the small local businesses popping up. They drive the economy, keep the money here and the craftsmanship is top notch.
If you could change or bring one thing to Dayton, what would it be?
An all year round, indoor farmers market. I love the Webster Street Market [2nd Street Market], but we need something bigger with more space to walk around with more vendors, and possibly open 7 days a week for those vendors/farmers that want to be open. Due to being a small business owner, our times often overlap with other small businesses, so it's really hard to get out and see/support them.
Where do you see Dayton being in 10-15 years?
I see Dayton growing and flourishing. If done right, we could be on track to have a big handmade/handcraft community like Columbus. Lots of small businesses that value local community. I know corporate is here to stay — we do need them for jobs — but I just hope that anyone that has a vision, small or big, tries to make it come true.
Want to suggest someone you know for our Daytonian of the Week series? Drop us a line at contact@dayton.com.
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