Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Omaha.com

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Omaha newcomer Amy Sporrer took the best of a boutique she operated in Connecticut and re-created it at her new shop, SPRUCE Interiors and Gifts, at 5022 Leavenworth St. Sporrer grew up in western Iowa and returned to the Midwest to be closer to family after years on the East Coast.

She said SPRUCE has received a warm welcome since it opened in September.

“Every person who comes in, each is nicer than the last,” she said.

Sporrer said the shop sells unique and sophisticated home decor items, including tables, lamps and pillows, along with jewelry, gifts, seasonal items and accessories such as scarves.

Sporrer offers gift wrapping and provides in-home interior design consultation at an hourly rate for when a home needs to be “spruced up” without a full makeover.

“So many people just need a little bit of help,” she said.

Educational retailer locates in west Omaha

Parents and teachers looking for educational toys and learning materials will have a new resource in west Omaha.

California-based Lakeshore Learning Materials will open its first Lakeshore Learning Store in Nebraska in late November in Westwood Plaza, southwest of 120th Street and West Center Road. The 5,200-square-foot shop is just east of Baker’s supermarket.

Lakeshore’s approximately 60 stores carry games, toys, teaching tools and software for children, and offer events such as free craft-making for children.

World Group brokered the long-term lease for the Seldin Co. property.

Quilt store features contemporary fabrics

This is not your grandmother’s quilt shop. Cut Up & Quilt, opened in September in Council Bluffs, specializes in eclectic, contemporary fabrics and all the supplies and classes that a modern quilter needs to learn and develop her craft.

Owners Kim Scott, a retired Air Force speech pathologist who took up quilting as a “bucket list” challenge, and Becky Ingraham, with experience in retail fabric and crafts sales, were each independently contemplating opening a quilt shop when they were introduced by a mutual acquaintance and fellow quilter.

With Council Bluffs’ previous quilt shop having closed last year, Scott said the time was right, and still they were surprised at the big turnout for their ribbon-cutting.

“Quilters are kind of underrecognized for how many there are and how popular it actually is,” Scott said. “They came out in droves. They thank us all the time for just being here.”

Even as quilting styles evolve, Scott said, “It’s still a way to keep communities together.”

Cut Up & Quilt, 303 McKenzie Ave., offers classes and demonstrations and also provides quilting services with its long-arm machine.

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