Location & Hours

• Mon., Wed., Thurs. 10 - 9
• Tues. Fri. & Sat. 10 - 6
• Sun. 12-5
• View holiday hours

• 905 S. Main St.,
• Royal Oak, MI 48067 Map
• (248) 541-0010

History: Haberman Fabrics Past & Present

Roots…

You could fill your tank at 29.9¢ A gallon, slipcover a sofa for $33.95 And pay 10¢ for a spool of thread.

It was 1958, and Pearl and David Haberman opened a modest little yard goods store in the Old Redford neighborhood of northwest Detroit.

So began what grew into Haberman Fabrics, now praised at 50 years of age, coast to coast (and around the world via the Internet), for its exceptional selection of fine fabrics and trims for clothing, bridal and home décor, knowledgeable service, broad sewing education program and excellent values.

Growth…

David and Pearl’s son, Sam, initiated the growth spurt when he altered his plans for a career in academia and took the reins of the store following a graduate school degree in economics. Over time he expanded into Troy and Ann Arbor, home of his alma mater, the University of Michigan. He enticed his wife Toby into the fabric fold…excuse the pun…in 1978. With sewing skills, a background in costume design for all-campus productions at the University of Michigan, public relations, and elementary education, Toby was a natural to define Haberman Fabrics as it is known today.

In March, 1980 the Troy store moved to Royal Oak, doubling in size to 10,000 sq. ft. in a 2-story building. In July of that year, the Ann Arbor store moved to the elegant Wright Kay building on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. Both of these projects involved the challenge and satisfaction of restoring and renovating historic buildings. In this period, Sam also added several warehouse outlets around the metro area.

Changes…

But then times changed, as did the sewing population. A larger percentage of women joined the work force. Sewing and homemaking seemed no longer politically correct. Schools reacted by replacing valuable, creative home economics programs with others like consumerism. Sewing was in danger of becoming a lost art.

The Habermans responded by consolidating all their stores into the centrally located Royal Oak one. Business strengthened over the years until Haberman Fabrics needed more space again. Sam spotted their next renovation project, just four blocks away on Main Street, a former Erb Lumber store. The building almost doubled their space again to 19,000 sq. ft. and had abundant private parking, something almost unheard of in downtown Royal Oak. Teaming with Royal Oak architect, John Winters, they produced a warm, colorful and stylish store, which functions like an easy-to-shop department store, unique in the USA.

Sewing Renaissance…

Today, the home-sewing industry is experiencing a re-birth. Sewers, from early teens on, embrace creativity with pride. Younger sewers boast an “I can do it myself” attitude beginning with re-styling thrift shop finds and growing into making from-scratch clothing to explore and express personal style. TV shows like Project Runway and countless interior design programs provide powerful inspiration.

Twenty- to forty-year-olds (+) relate to “gourmet” sewing”, enjoying the creative design and construction process of their unique, fine quality garments and home décor projects. In addition, the quickly growing numbers of people working from home make their living space an important focus. Their simple décor projects make their surroundings more pleasant and produce constant positive feedback from family and friends, driving even more sewing projects.

Community Focus…

Haberman Fabrics is grateful to metro Detroiters for their loyal support for the past 50 years. The store is an active member of the community at large, staging events like its annual Super Bowl sewing party and ”Make It Work”, the 2006 Project Runway type fashion design challenge to benefit programs at non-profits like HAVEN and Karmanos Cancer Center. The very popular fashion challenge promoted Michigan designers as well.

Haberman Fabrics also supports the community’s artistic treasure, the Michigan Opera Theatre, by providing the costume fabrics for their operas, including David Di Chiera’s highly acclaimed original opera “Cyrano” in 2007.

Haberman Fabrics at 50 fabulous years is the kind of place that simply makes people happy. When the Royal Oak Main Street store opened in 2002, a customer ran up to Toby, gave her a big hug, and exclaimed, “This is better than being locked in a room full of chocolate!” All agreed.

Celebration…

Read highlights and view photos of our Nifty 50’s Anniversary Party (held Saturday, September 20, 2008).