GABRIELA’S FASHION FABRICS, LLC, d/b/a Sewtique
Stamford, $50,000 Term Loan
Gabriela’s Fashion Fabrics, LLC is the successor to Sewtech
Fashion Fabrics, a 35+ year old fabric/notions retailer, formerly
located at 432 West Main Street, Stamford. The business was founded
in 1968 by Doris Marco.
When Mrs. Marco passed away in January, 2004, Gabriela Rivera,
who had work at Sewtech since 1990, began exploring the possibility
of acquiring the business from Mrs. Marco’s family. Working closely
with CEDF business advisor Rick Mendes, Ms. Rivera found a new
location in the Springdale section of Stamford. The CEDF lending
staff then helped Gabriela arrange a combination of CEDF and seller
financing. CEDF closed its loan in October, 2004, the business
opened that same month.
Mr. Mendes continues to assist Gabriela in her new business,
especially with inventory management and marketing initiatives.
Through Gabriela, CEDF has helped an important minority/woman-owned
business survive to provide an important retail outlet to the
community. Because of CEDF’s technical assistance and loan
resources, Mrs. Marco’s vision will live on through the dedicated
efforts of Gabriela Rivera. And the City of Stamford will retain an
important cultural establishment well known to local residents.
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CEDF will be
moving its offices to 965 East Main Street in Meriden in May of 2008. The new
location, on the site of the former Lane Construction building,
will make us more centrally accessible to community partners and clients
throughout the state.