Inspirations Embroidery Opens At 427 Main Street

Lynn Murphy is back on Main Street with an embroidery shop, this time with less emphasis on contract work and more on retail.

She had been on Main Street, then on Frenchtown Road, but two years ago decided she needed more training in the computer aspects of her business and went to New England Tech where she got a software engineering degree.

The degree was something she needed, she says, because everything in the operation is computerized and with the additional training she can function as an in-house design center.

Basically she can customize any fabric item such as towels, blankets, gifts, back packs, etc. That offers an opportunity for customized gifts for bridal parties, guy gifts, winter hats, even pet items.

A big part of the customization is in t-shirts. Murphy has a machine that allows her to affordably crank out a single customized shirt in just a few minutes. She anticipates orders from student groups, various kinds of teams, family reunions, and anything for which a small or large group wants something that will identify them.

Customers can create their own design, including adding any kind of picture. Murphy will help with the design, and also has available a design book with over 5,000 ideas.

While she can do any kind of embroidery, she says her goal is to function as a retail gift shop, something like a boutique clothing store. She might add a customized jewelry line next spring to round out the gift component of the business.

Murphy had been giving some thought to selling her specialized equipment, and had a buyer.  But when 427 Main became available she saw it as a great location for what she wanted to do and is plunging back into business.