As a photographer, my eye is drawn to things that are aesthetically pleasing. I notice colors, lighting, patterns, and moods. I’m attracted to things of simple beauty. It didn’t take me long to notice this new white building with the perfect black and brass accents on Main Street in Springville, AL. From the moment I walked inside, I knew this was going to be a place that I would frequently visit! I am talking about Cloth on Main, a home décor store in the heart of Springville, AL!
Cloth on Main is owned by Wendy and Meg Sanders. I sat down with Wendy a few weeks ago, which by the way, was like chatting with an old friend whom I had known forever. I had to know the story of how Cloth on Main came to be! Wendy and her husband Tony have been married for 35 years and live in Trussville which is about 15 minutes down the road from Springville. Wendy has 2 daughters, Holly and Meg. Wendy found herself as an empty nester and began to wonder what she should do to fulfill her time.
Wendy says that she and her youngest daughter Meg, love to shop! They both love remodeling and all things home décor! Wendy’s daughter lives in Springville, and when she saw that this building was available for rent, she told her Mom and they went to check it out immediately! Wendy says that she usually takes a long time to process things and doesn’t make irrational and quick decisions; but within 24 hours, she had signed a lease and was on her way to opening a home décor shop!
With the support of her husband, they were ready to remodel the building that was once a flower shop. You would never know that the building used to be painted a dark sage green color. Now it is a vibrant white with a bold black door and brass accents outside. Her husband did all of the painting and the remodeling of the building. He added shelves, lights and fixtures that fit the style and mood that Wendy had in mind. She knew she wanted it to be a neutral color palette where all of the home décor items would be the star of the show. Wendy says the store is pretty much a mirror image of her home. She is a fan of minimalistic style. She loves big staple pieces but likes to change up accents by using different throw blankets, pillows and accessories.
After the store remodel was complete, they came up with the beautifully simplistic logo that we all love. When she was initially going to start a clothing business, they were going to call it Cloth. Once they bought the building that was on Main Street in Springville, they decided to call the store Cloth on Main. Fast forward to June 2018, when the cute little shop was ready to open!
When you walk into the store you will see perfectly displayed items throughout the store. Now I love the aesthetics of the store, but Cloth on Main has something more. Feelings of calmness and peace surround my mind as soon as I step across the threshold. Does that sound silly to anyone?! Most often you will hear soft praise and worship music playing in the background. I have definitely caught myself singing along when I am in the store!
Wendy often wondered how she could take her passion of home decorating and turn it into something that could be meaningful and help the lives of others. Well I don’t think she has to search any further. You can feel the joy she has in her heart and it overflows into her place of business. I think the Lord has intricately allowed her to be placed in Springville to show his love to others. Wendy says that she loves getting to know her customers and many of them have prayed with her and told her that they feel a sense of peace when they are in the store. I think it’s so neat how the Lord can use the simple task of shopping to send us a refreshment of the soul that we sometimes need. She loves choosing products in the store that have words of encouragement or scripture on them. I actually have several of those pieces displayed in my own home!
You will easily find the perfect tea towel, basket, rug, pillow and throw blanket. They carry a line of candles and lots of jewelry. They recently added women’s clothing items to the lineup. The prices are affordable so you will be able to find the perfect gift or piece to accessorize your home without any stress! She often tries to purchase items from other small business owners and thinks it is so important to help others when we can! She even supports local artists, such as Abbey Kaldi and Joanna Feldeworth from Kaldi Collective, who make homemade clay earrings and barrettes.
If you have ever driven by and saw a line wrapped around the building, then chances are that it was a special day known as the “$5 SALE”! She takes items that didn’t sell at the end of the season and hosts this epic event! Yall don’t want to miss this and let me tell you… GET THERE EARLY!!!
When Wendy isn’t busy with the store, she loves spending time with her family. She has two grandchildren whom she adores. She also loves her fur baby Bella which you might see from time to time in the store! Meg is busy planning her upcoming wedding and working as a clinical instructor for JSU and Auburn as well as a nurse at Children’s of Alabama (which happens to be where I am a Nurse Practitioner!)
I know that Cloth on Main has great things in store for the future. Wendy and Meg hope to one day be able to have an online store. They are so thankful that they are in Springville and love the small-town feel. They hope to see the area revitalized with lots of other small businesses in the future. This little store has made a positive impact on me, and I know it would for you too! I hope you and all of your loved ones will to come to our little town of Springville, AL and visit Cloth on Main!
