A Stitch in Time: Fifty Years of Dedication at The Spool House

By Bruce Karnick
Posted 1/15/25

In the heart of our community lies The Spool House, a business that has been woven into the fabric of our town for over five decades. Owned and operated by Dolores Pemble, The Spool House stands as a …

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A Stitch in Time: Fifty Years of Dedication at The Spool House

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In the heart of our community lies The Spool House, a business that has been woven into the fabric of our town for over five decades. Owned and operated by Dolores Pemble, The Spool House stands as a testament to resilience, craftsmanship, and the enduring bonds of family.
"I started working full-time while juggling a couple of other jobs," Pemble recalled. "Around 1978 or 1979, I moved my business to 221 Sibley, which used to house the Mississippi Valley Star office. I stayed there until 1984."
When asked where the business moved to next, Dolores explained, "I relocated to 507 Vermillion Street, which is now home to Rise Up. My mom had her real estate office there and owned the building.”
That transition wasn’t exactly smooth, and it was very sudden due to some much-needed work on the building.
She continued, "I was in tears and called my parents. The next day, my parents showed up with a truck, and we moved everything to the basement of 507 Vermillion. Customers had to enter through the back door and navigate down into the basement to reach me."
Eventually, her mother retired from real estate, and Pemble moved upstairs, expanding her business into the former State Farm Insurance offices.
"When Steve Johnson moved to his own building, I took over more space," she shared. In 2002, Dolores relocated The Spool House to its current location, which had been a dry-cleaning business for years prior. Despite the obstacles, Dolores saw potential.
"We remodeled the building to suit my needs. The only thing we kept was the dry cleaner’s rotating rack. My grandkids love it—they think it’s the best toy ever," she added with a laugh.
Over the years, The Spool House has been part of many memorable moments.
"One of my favorite projects was working with a former Miss Minnesota. She was passionate about English horseback riding, and I worked on some of her competition attire. More recently, I altered a dress for another contestant who went on to win Miss Minnesota. It was thrilling to see the dress I worked on take the stage and win."
Although the Miss Minnesota competition wasn’t televised, it was available online.
Pemble shared excitedly, "I sent a picture to my daughters right away, saying, ‘Look, my dress won Miss Minnesota!’ It’s moments like these that make the work so rewarding."
Reflecting on half a century in business, Pemble cherishes the relationships she has built.
"The people I’ve met and the projects I’ve worked on are unforgettable. It’s not just about the craft—it’s about being part of the community and helping people celebrate their milestones."
As she continues to pass on her skills and inspire her family, Dolores Pemble and The Spool House remain a shining example of how dedication and love for one’s work can make a lasting impact. Here’s to many more years of success in her cherished craft.
There will be an open house celebration on Friday, January 17th from 2:00-5:00 p.m. featuring swag give aways while supplies last, a drawing for St. Paul Saints Tickets, popcorn, cider and sweet treats. The Spool House is located at 108 East 5th Street.