After 7 Years, Downtown Rochester Shop Closing Its Doors

It's the season of miracles and that's exactly what Cristina Riha, owner of Cristina's Quilt Shoppe is hoping for.

After seven years in downtown Rochester, including four at her current location on Second Street, Riha will close her doors for good at the end of this month.

"It's an awesome town and I wish I could stay," Riha said through tears. "But for too long I was thinking with my heart not my brain. I just let it go too long."

The liquidating of inventory started on Monday. Everything in the store is 15 percent off with the exception of the consignment quilt ladders.

Riha said November was the worst month they've had in five years and the store has never had so much inventory in stock. Riha explained in her business fabric orders are placed nine months ahead.

"The summer, the sewers, they just did me in," Riha said. "Customers would tell me, 'I'll see you when the construction is over' and I tried to tell them I might not be here by then."

'It's a girls' world'

Leaving the store won't be easy for Riha. 

"This place is the female version of 'Cheers,'" Riha said. "This is our world, a girl's world and I don't want to go back."

There have already been a lot of tears shed, both by Riha and her customers — some of whom have even offered to start a collection basket.

And Riha expects a lot more tears in the next 24 days. But after that, she hasn't a clue what will come next for her.

She does, however, know this. 

"It's been one hell of a ride. I wouldn't take back these seven years for nothing."

Cristina's Quilt Shoppe is located at 116 W. 2nd Street. It is open Mon - Sat, 9am - 5pm. Call 248-601-6565 with questions.