gather here — Attraction in Cambridge

My grandmother died this morning. My partner and I were scheduled to take a class. We spent months talking about sharing an activity like this and trying to find a wonderful local resource for it. We thought we found the answer in a beginners sewing class at Gather Here. When I found out my grandmother was dead this morning and that I needed to meet with family for funeral arrangements, I called and left a message that my grandmother had died and we would not be able to come in for the class. I asked to reschedule. I called back and spoke to someone on the phone a few hours later.

They have a policy that they do not give refunds because they are a small business and I absolutely understand and respect that. They can reschedule class tickets but told me they would not because I didn't give them 72 hours notice. I told them I don't know how I was supposed to give them 72 hours notice that my grandmother was going to die. The person I spoke to said they would talk to the owners but that they historically have given zero exceptions so that they do not allow unconscious bias to sneak into their decision-making. The owners came back reaffirming that they would not accommodate us. They offered what felt like a slap in the face it of the materials and said we could come in and just use the machines to try and make things with the materials as of that was the point.

If a small, supposedly community centric business hides behind unyieldingly rigid policy rather than taking an empathetic approach capable of managing situations like this then they have no right to call themselves community-centric. Attempting to unilaterally avoid bias via a zero tolerance policy as a way to be fair seems robotic and lazy at best and thoroughly dismissive or intentionally ignorant of human and community business complexity at worst.

The condolences feel like nothing more than lip service. I'm beyond stunned by how this was handled. This rigidity and faux compassion are so counter to everything I thought Gather Here stood for. This has been an incredibly negative situation and I cannot see myself supporting or recommending this business...

Pros: decent selection of “modern” quilt fabric and high quality yarn available for you to look at in person. Knowledgeable staff. Very focused on the beginner and entry level market especially with their classes. Also sells craft kits which are good gifts for entry level crafters for holidays/birthdays/etc. They also have restrooms for their customers.

Cons: overpriced, often with products listed above manufacturer MSRP. Eg cocoknits sells their Makers board for $36 on their website, gather here sells it for $38. Many many fabric and yarn lines are similarly priced higher than other reputable small businesses charge. There’s also little in the way of classes or community opportunities for crafters who are not entry level and have familiarity with the craft. So if you’re already a good knitter or quilter, say, there’s not really much there for you.

If you’re smart you’ll wait to do shopping here until their annual birthday sale in February, when prices actually drop down into the reasonable-or-better range. 2024 was 24% off fabric and yarn.

Unfortunately the worst part is the owner/management seems to be rather petty and has multiple times posted passive aggressive complaints about customers on the store’s social media, which really isn’t a great look. Especially when they seem to be complaints about the store still requiring masks well into 2023 (and still requiring masks and proof of vaccination for classes in Feb 2024) or their objectively high prices- it would be better for them to just not say anything at all I feel. I’ve also heard of them deleting customer rewards accounts for sending in complaints with...

Love that this business is in my neighborhood. They have a lovely curated selection of fabric and patterns, and they have the nicest store staff, but I have to give a special shout out for their classes. I was a lapsed cross stitcher and I had never touched a sewing machine in my life. It took me a while to muster up the courage to take a machine sewing class, but eventually I took the plunge. I had a blast in both the totebag class led by Kayla and Sara's school of sewing series. Most of the other people had a little bit of machine sewing experience but the classes still felt completely accessible to me as a complete newbie and someone with 0 spatial skills. The instructors were very patient and receptive to questions. In the months after their classes, I bought my own machine and have successfully taken on and completed my own sewing projects at home; I am totally hooked. I also took Emily's embroidery basics class which was relaxing and fun (and it inspired me to pick up cross stitching again) and Noah's helpful machine maintenance class, which I think it a must for a new sewing machine owner. I have also loved the events they have helped organize, like the winter market that featured various local makers, and the toiletry kit drive to benefit our neighbors in need. Most of all, I appreciate them making it crystal clear that their space is welcoming to ALL. Great community space and store, I can't imagine Inman Square...