Student purchases historic developing | Information, Sports, Careers
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Mirror photo by Holly Claycomb /
The Hofius House is located at 113 W. Pitt St., Bedford. The historic setting up will not only characteristic Twila’s but also other area artisans.
BEDFORD — Taylor Wahl has experienced a passion for stitching given that she was a youngster. Now a senior at Saint Vincent School, Wahl was supplied the prospect of a life span — to personal her possess business enterprise and the historic Hofius Household at 113 W. Pitt St. in downtown Bedford.
It was an chance she could not go up.
While she’ll graduate with a degree in international company and operational excellence/offer chain administration, Wahl required to make confident she experienced a area to perform on her enjoy of stitching and quilting.
“Being in a spot wherever I can proceed the artwork is extremely vital,” she stated.
With her approaching stitching and quilting small business, Twila’s, she aims to keep on the legacy of Mary Koval, the founder of Mary’s Quilt Shop, and continue to keep the artwork alive in the area for new generations.
Courtesy image /
Taylor Wahl works by using her stitching equipment when posing for a picture.
A indigenous of Windber, Wahl said she to start with picked up a needle and thread when she was eight several years old.
She commenced by crafting garments for her dolls, then gained her initial stitching equipment as a Xmas reward and commenced building apparel.
In the course of the pandemic, her pursuits expanded to quilting, which led to Bedford.
“Windber is not much too considerably, which allowed me to visit typically,” she reported. “I generally believed Bedford was lovable.”
Just one distinct working day when Wahl shopped in Bedford trapped with Koval.
“I remember a person day Taylor arrived into the shop and mentioned she desired to have her have quilt store some day,” Koval mentioned.
In chatting with Wahl in excess of time, Koval explained she was impressed by her strategies. When it arrived time to retire, she needed to area her legacy in Wahl’s able hands.
The transition from mentorship to possession occurred fairly seamlessly, though it took a ton of do the job and a great deal of help.
“I do not know anybody who functions more difficult than Taylor,” Koval claimed.
Wahl worked with the Bedford County Growth Association and with Jennifer Marsh of the Bedford County Startup Alleghenies method, exactly where she acquired entrepreneurial advice.
“It’s been an remarkable approach doing the job with a younger and talented entrepreneur like Taylor,” Marsh claimed.
“Jen has been my largest supporter from working day 1. Just after talking to her about my job, she worked tirelessly to aid get me there,” Wahl explained. “I counted on her by way of all of the ups and downs. There are a good deal of diverse feelings when you get on a challenge like this, and Jen was with me through all of them. I do not feel that I can at any time say adequate about how excellent she is,” Wahl claimed.
Startup Alleghenies served her network, and it received her in contact with the right financial institutions, legal professionals, graphic designers and much more, she mentioned.
Jim Gonsman, vice president of Hometown Bank, also played a pivotal function in securing the required financing, enabling Wahl to completely transform her desire into fact.
“The method was exciting as a 21-year-aged, but Jim produced the complete thing a whole good deal easier,” Wahl explained.
Wahl intends to transform Twila’s into a destination store.
She envisions a room that nurtures creativity and neighborhood, inviting sewers, artists, crafters and fans of all ages and talent stages to come jointly.
The Hofius Residence will not only household Twila’s, but it will also provide as a market for nearby artisans.
The ground ground will be remodeled into a boutique offering apparel and quilts, and will double as an educational hub wherever people can understand sewing and quilting skills.
She ideas to also curate a assortment of stationary merchandise in the shop.
Aside from Twila’s and the boutique, the building’s upper flooring will be rental apartments.
The Juice Shack will be another tenet in the constructing with much more place readily available for much more small businesses.
“They went into a put that made use of to be a deli and it was a superior set up for them,” Wahl said.
For Wahl, getting the steward of the Hofius Home is a desire appear accurate.
The landmark dates back to 1814, she reported, and the building’s prosperous heritage aligns flawlessly with her mission to uphold the artwork of stitching whilst fostering a new generation’s fascination.
“I have generally been into historical past and staying able to have my organization in a setting up like the Hofius House is really fitting,” Wahl claimed.
Wahl ideas to open Twila’s soon after she graduates in June 2024.
“Twila’s will be a fabulous addition to downtown Bedford, and Taylor’s engagement with the group and plans to guidance other compact companies will make a massive impression,” Marsh explained.
Mirror Staff members Author Cati Keith is at 814-946-7535.
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/neighborhood-information/2023/09/student-buys-historic-enterprise/
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