Anita Jamlus has small-business experience in her blood. She saw her parents start small businesses as a child and she started selling her own hand-made products when she was 12.
In 2000, Jamlus started an online business specializing in hard-to-find fabrics. In 2020, she took a chance and opened a storefront at the Silver King Marketplace. Late last year, as her walk-in business started matching her online sales, Jamlus took the opportunity to take a ground-floor space at the Silver King as soon as it had a vacancy.
Your Name: Anita Jamlus
Business Name: Main Street Fabric Company
Locations and times open: 440 N. Main St., Suite 102
Town/Neighborhood: Historic Main Street
Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Longer hours for special events hosted by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.
Personal background highlights: Attended Texas Tech University, studied mechanical engineering. I have lived in Arizona since 2001. I have been inolved in small business for 31 years. Began in craft malls, local events, home business.
Business background highlights: Full-service restaurant management for eight years, then started a craft business in 1999, internet business since 2000, retail fabric shop in 2020.
What I do: Procurement and sale of high quality and hard to find quilting and fashion fabrics that large chain fabric stores do not offer.
What I like most about doing business here: Beautiful location, located inside historical building (Silver King Marketplace) and beautiful weather.
Changes I’d like to see in this area: Looking forward to the growth of the community.
What am I promoting: After two-and-a-half years at the Silver King Marketplace, a lot of people still don’t know there is a specialty fabric store in Florence.
What I’m excited about and why: Relocated the store from second floor to street level. Easier to access and more space to expand.
Favorite community cause and why: Supporting the quilting communities in Florence and the surrounding areas. These quilting groups provide quilts to hospitals and children in need. They also participate in the Quilts of Valor program. If anyone is interested in participating, we will gladly put you in touch with an appropriate quilting group member.
When and why I started my business/employment here: I had a love for the color and patterns in specialty fabrics. I found this area had a niche for quilters and crafters.
Where was before and why I left: Texas, better business opportunities in Arizona.
My family: Husband and two sons who help with day-to-day operations and craft shows/vendor opportunities.
My interests & hobbies: Pickleball, crochet
People who inspire me (and how): My parents and family are my greatest source of inspiration. My mom and dad were both business owners. Dad held a full-time job, but also started a trucking company. Over the course of her life, my mom had several home-based businesses from kitchen supplies to batiks and apparel textile. So, I was exposed to the business world since I was very young.
My first attempt in business was when I was 12 years old selling stationery items at my elementary school. I saved up my daily lunch-allowance money to start my little business. Then I learned how to crochet from a book. My mother encouraged me to sell the items I made
Finally, I have a very supportive family. My husband and children have always supported my endeavors. They have also always been ready to help me.
My guiding philosophy: Provide quality products with great customer service and you will create repeat business.
My advice to today’s youth: If you want to start a business, believe in yourself. It does not matter how small you start. It is your drive that will determine how far you can go. Be brave and don’t let others thwart your dreams.
Janet Perez News Editor | Queen Creek &
San Tan Valley @AzNewsmedia
Meet Janet Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.
Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.
Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science.
Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.
Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.
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