I skipped Anchorage and continued south to Homer. The road is along Prince William Sound, and it is a beautiful drive. Homer, Alaska, sits above a spit of land going out into the ocean and is about 95 feet above sea level – the spit itself is just 19 feet up. Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware, owned by Patrick & Monica Ulmer, is the local everything but groceries store – including a fabric section. Given that the next town with fabric is 76 miles away, this makes a lot of sense.
There are about 350 bolts of fabric on display here, but if you don’t see what you want, you can ask a clerk to take you to the stash in the back. There are solids and blenders, large and small prints, and some great batiks. Look for the rack of panels, all prepackaged and ready to go. Check out the QT Quilting kits to make complete quilt tops. Clothing fabrics are also available; I just counted the quilting fabrics. Don’t miss the trims, rulers, notions, and some great patterns and books. This is a full scale general store, including hardware, fishing and hunting supplies, flowers, and a pharmacy, so do take some time to wander around and enjoy the diversity.
For the knitting enthusiast, there is a great selection of yarns on hand. I almost talked myself into a couple of skeins for crocheting, but I decided I needed a panel with a lynx on it instead. I do limit my spend at the shops, or I’d be broke in a month! I’d plan to be here for fifteen to thirty minutes.
When you’re done looking around, drive on out the Homer Spit to the end. I did that, and kept praying there wouldn’t be a tsunami – at 19 feet above seal level, you could clean the whole spit! I did get to see Sea Otters playing off shore, so it was well worth the nerves driving out and back…
| Ulmer’s Drug & Hardware | Hours: Summer: Mon – Sat 7-7 Sun 9-6 Winter: Mon – Fri 9-6 Sat 10-4 Sun Closed |
| 3858 Lake Street | Phone: 907-235-8594 |
| Homer, AK 99603 | hello@ulmersalaska.com |
| http://www.ulmersdrugandhardware.com | Mail Order: Please call Fabric Online: No |
Stop back on Thursday as the North American Shop Hop continues to travel around beautiful Alaska!