Best Friends and the Best Fabric: New Quilt Shop Opens In Ashland
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
With some new sashing and a bit of stitchwork, formerly known as Penny’s Quilts, an Ashland Quilting staple has been purchased by a new fabric shop: Best Friends Fabric and more.
“I've always wanted to own a shop of some sort, and then I've been quilting for about 25 years, maybe a little longer,” explained Tara Koppenhaver, owner of Best Friends Fabric. “It's mainly focused on quilting, but [with] the fabric and things that we have you could make anything with it.”
Koppenhaver has always wanted to own a shop of her own, and was ready to take a step into the creative world, so when she heard from her friend Mary Hickey that the owner of Penny’s Quilts was wanting to retire, she knew that this was the move for her.
“I used to sew there also, and buy material from her [Penny], and they just mentioned, I think it was her daughter in law, Jennifer, [who] said that they were thinking of retiring. I said, ‘Well, I just happen to know somebody who said they were looking for a quilt shop!’” explained Mary Hickey, who has been a local of the shop for many years and has been quilting for around 30 years.
Hickey met Koppenhaver through a quilting guild, and has since been very involved at the store. From here, Koppenhaver bought the store and now is ready to put her own spin on things.
“It's very freeing from [the] corporate world. It's creative. I get to meet and talk to so many neat people, and of course see their artistry as well as show off things [projects] that our customers and we have done in the shop,” detailed Koppenhaver.
Currently, the shop hosts sewing groups throughout the week, while also providing a haven for quilters of any level. Featuring name brand fabric from Moda, Lori Holt and Riley Blake, quilters can enjoy beautiful fabrics year-round. The shop also plans to host several different kinds of classes, including their staple quilters 101 class (for beginning quilters), quilt block classes and even project classes that go beyond just quilting or are completely different entirely–including card making and zippered bags. Classes will be held on Saturdays, and for now, information can be found about them on the Best Friends Fabric and More Facebook page.
“Tara is so awesome. She's just a really super nice lady. She's very relaxed and enjoys what she's doing. I've really loved Penny's shop, but I'd tell you I have to say I really love this even more because there's so much more to come and look at. Every time I come there, there's something new and that makes it a lot of fun,” detailed Hickey.
In the future, the shop hopes to expand into offering scissor sharpening services, sewing machine repair, and even in-house long arm quilting services (which are currently offered, just not in house).
“We want to be able to give back to the community, so we’ve [also] applied for Quilts of Valor to be a Quilts of Valor shop,” commented Koppenhaver.
Truly, the shop hopes to serve the community and give back to the community in everything that they do.
The shop is working on a website, but for now you can keep up with Best Friends Fabric and More on their Facebook page, or email them at