After 20 years, owner of Winnetka’s The Classic Stitch will pass the needle on to two protégées

A downtown Winnetka business that’s been stitching up success for two decades is about to take on new life.

The Classic Stitch, a needlepointing shop located at 549 Chestnut St., will soon sew up a new chapter as owner and operator Jane Hayes plans to retire.

Kathryn Cannon Weir and Mackenzie Reimer opened Third Coast Stitches, a needlepoint store in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, five years ago. Now ready to expand, the duo recently purchased The Classic Stitch building from Hayes, who is a longtime friend of theirs.

The two plan to breathe new life into the storefront and open Third Coast At The Classic Stitch this October.

“We’re so excited to continue Jane’s legacy,” Cannon Weir said. “She really has a history of really, really top line needlepoint service and an amazing group of customers and employees. Mackenzie and I feel so fortunate that we’re going to get to carry that on.”

Cannon Weir and Reimer met years ago through their now-husbands and bonded over their love for a classic craft — needlepoint. Together, they started Third Coast Stitches, quickly gaining popularity through the business that offers needlepoint materials and classes for crafters of any experience. 

The pair decided to open a store in Winnetka soon after Cannon Weir moved to Kenilworth. Cannon Weir and Reimer had known Hayes since they opened their flagship store, and they say Hayes has always lent a helping hand.

“She was at our store opening the day we opened downtown when we had no idea what we were doing,” Cannon Weir said. “She was a mentor to us as we kind of figured out what we were doing and got the ropes of needlepoint store ownership.”

To revamp the storefront, Cannon Weir and Reimer plan to bring more color and light, creating an updated space for crafting classes.

Not only has needlepoint stitched together the founders’ friendship, but it’s also created relationships between customers. 

Reimer said many stitchers that she had known in the past learned from their mothers, grandmothers or aunts. Today, she said the younger generation is teaching each other how to stitch, and much of that popularity comes from social media.

“The needlepoint audience today is welcoming a whole new cohort of stitchers into the fold,” Reimer said. “ … The younger generation is teaching the same generation about needlepoint, how to needlepoint, and we’re seeing that true in our store. We’re seeing that be true online. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook are all contributing really to the broadening of the audience, which is really exciting.”

At their Chicago location, Cannon Weir said she had watched several friendships grow in their workshops. It’s something she hopes will carry on at their new North Shore location. 

“I think sometimes it can be difficult as women to walk into a room alone or show up to something and feel like you have something to connect over,” Cannon Weir said. “Needlepoint kind of brings your guard down naturally of something to do while you’re socializing, and I think it’s been incredible to see how many friendships have been formed through our store, and we’re hoping that that continues for us on the North Shore.”

Third Coast Stitches also plans to open a storefront in Wayzata, MN in Feb. 2027.

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