Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
SHOALS – The wall of the break room at SC Draperies is covered in framed photos of beautiful homes featured in Sophisticated Living magazine.
The Louisville magazine showcases impeccably designed homes, many of them with draperies and window treatments made by SC Draperies, a custom drapery business in Shoals.
The woman-owned business has been in Shoals since 1999 and moved downtown to Shoals’ Main Street in 2021. Owner Emily Stoner relocated her business to the old Alco Dime Store after the business outgrew the space she was using at her Martin County home.
Now with 8 employees, Stoner said the hallmarks of her business are quality workmanship and materials, customer service and SC Draperies’ involvement in every job, from start to finish.
From Texas to New York, SC Draperies has made window treatments for homes, hotels and has even sewn custom equipment covers for the International Space Station. Some clients may only need to dress one window while another may have 20 or more windows.
The majority of SC Draperies’ customers are not in Martin County or southern Indiana, but she said Martin County has been a great place for her business to grow, and she credits the quality workforce in southern Indiana as a big reason for SC Draperies’ growth.
“The secret to our business success is our workforce. I don’t think I could get this in a big city,” she said.
Since 1990, Stoner has been building her custom drapery business, establishing SC Draperies with some of the best known designers in Louisville as well as designers in markets in other states.
Stoner sat down with Southern Indiana Business Report to discuss the origins and growth of SC Draperies.
How it started
Born and raised in North Carolina, Stoner was attending college in Texas when she took a part-time job hanging draperies in the college dormitories. With some teaching and guidance from an experienced mentor, she learned how to make and hang draperies. After graduation, her plans were to start a home-based business so she could work while also being home as she and her husband Jim started their family. Relying on her sewing skills and what she learned while hanging draperies, she started a custom drapery business in east Texas.
She handed out business cards at fabric stores, which led to small jobs. Eventually she began working for a design firm.
“They had constant business and that really helped me get off the ground,” she said. “ And I could take my kids with me to measure jobs.”
In 1999, the family moved from Texas to Indiana and settled in Shoals where Jim had extended family. Stoner set up her business in their two-car garage and began making business connections with Midwest designers. It was like starting over and Stoner looked to larger urban markets where interior designers work.
Just 70 miles from Shoals is Louisville – home of companies like Bittner’s, a leading interior design firm. Stoner began working for the firm and that became the springboard to grow the business.
“Word of mouth is huge,” she said. “All the designers know each other, so if they like your work, other designers will work with you.”
In addition to draperies, SC Draperies also sells roller shades, shutters, cellular shades, grass shades, bedding, wood blinds and vertical blinds. SC Draperies also sells fabric remnants for those looking to do their own projects.
Jim Stoner handles installations, which Stoner said is physically demanding – custom draperies are very heavy – and requires a person who is meticulous and detail-oriented.
“It’s a high-end business. You become a very service-oriented business and that has helped us over the years,” Stoner said.
Ninety percent of SC Draperies’ jobs are in Louisville, but the business also works for designers in Texas, Maryland, Kentucky, California, Illinois and Tennessee.
“We’ve had unprecedented growth in the 25 years we’ve been here,” Stoner said.
The “secret” she said, is putting in the time.
“Every business has to put in the time, especially when it’s a service-oriented business like this,” she said. “Referrals from other designers and customers is wonderful. I have people who are repeat customers and I made their draperies 15 years ago.”
Investing in employees
When it came time to scout a bigger location, Stoner did consider moving closer to Louisville, but the decision came down to the SC Draperies employees.
The business’ employees work full and part time. Stoner gives the women flexibility in their work hours to align with caring for family. Employees can bring their children to work with them.
“We allow for flexibility because we’re grateful for our employees. I started this because I wanted to stay home with my kids,” Stoner said. “I don’t want anyone to feel they have to put their kids in daycare.”
On a recent day, Mrenda Fleagle’s two children, Brynlee and infant Indi, went to work with their mom. Mrenda works about two days a week.
“It helps me feel better that I’m helping my husband pay bills and it helps me feel more productive that I’m not stuck at home all week,” said Mrenda.
Some of them have home sewing skills, but everyone has to be trained in commercial sewing to make draperies and upholstery items.
“With our custom work, the girls are so good, the draperies hang well, there are very few complaints,” she said.
Involved in Main Street
SC Draperies is in the old Alco Dime Store on Main Street. Following an extensive renovation, the business opened its storefront in 2021.
Being on Main Street has led to Stoner’s involvement in the Historic Shoals River District, the town’s Main Street organization. Stoner is the group’s treasurer. The group is working to plan more downtown activities that will spark new investment.
“We’ve had some setbacks but we’ve had some growth and I feel like we’re on the verge of really accomplishing things,” she said. “We’re lucky to have so many people who are passionate about the town making progress.”