- I wanted to say how much I enjoy your store. I came for the first time to a New Year's Day Mystery Quilt class on Jan 1, 2008. I immediately was welcomed to the store and treated like a queen. Every time I am in the store, EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE has been extremely friendly and helpful. I truely feel like a family member at the store. I now go there at least once a week for classes, or just to have fun shopping. Of course I always shop even if I just came for a class. One of my favorite people Is Ms. Janet Osborn. I feel she is a true friend and has always made me feel very special whenever I have been there. I can name many more employees that have really been extra helpful and friendly. Thank you for being there, and providing such a great place to shop. Jule Scott

- Had a great time at the Mother's Day Bead Class. We have both made a few of them since the class. The breakfast was a nice touch. Bambi Rehder


- I am an almost 80 yr. old crafter, even though I really don't do much sewing, crocheting or knitting anymore. But I remember how much fun it used to be to go out to Monroe -just to go to Ben Franklin. Of course, I'd always take a friend with me and we'd have lunch someplace and make 2/3's of a day out of it. I limit my driving now to local stores and really miss my trips to your store. I use DART, sometimes for trips, but they don't go as far as Monroe. I hope you'll add my name to your email list, even though it may not produce many trips out your way but it will keep me up to date with all the innovations in the "crafting" world. Joan Hay


- I just wanted to say that you have one of the cleanest, NEATEST, stores that I have been to in many years. I'm a quilter and your section on quilting has every item that a quilter needs. I'm especially happy that you are now going to have Roxanne Carter--she is my favorite teacher. I moved here 2 years ago from Florida with many unfinished projects and in the last year she has helped me finish almost all of them (at least 16 quilts)--what a good feeling. She designs many beautiful quilts and if I live long enough I want to make all of them. Fran Calafato


- I love your store! I wish you would open one in the Everett/Lynnwood region. I think for an overall craft store you are the best! (better than the chain stores by far). You have the best selection and best customer service! Will you consider a store in my area? Thanks! Vanessa


- I was able to find a little bit of everything! Great selection. My daughters and I loved all the available Classes and Make & Take opportunities! Please continue to offer these (especially on Saturday afternoons). Thank you. Marrissa Pleiman


- I'm already on your e-mail list. I absolutely love your store. It is the best craft store I have ever been in anywhere. Our son and his family live in Monroe and everytime we're there, I have to shop at Ben Franklin. I wish you were able to sell products on line. I wish we lived closer to your store. I am a big scrapbooker and quilter. I tell everyone that might be in your area about the store. Keep up the good work. Linda Moore


- My first visit was in 1979. I learned how to make the Mop Dolls there, made many of them, for gifts ect. We didn't need to go to another store for supplies, Bennie had them all!!! I love that store! Then, Tole Painting became the "thing to do". So again, back to Bennies for classes and supplies. Wonderful instructors for each and every class. Now the beaded jewelry seems to be the "in" thing! Nancy, Jeff and Carole are the MOST wonderful people, they're all SO helpful. I just love Ben Franklin (OH, just so much part of my life!). I have asthma and need hobbies that are easy to do, and can work at home on my projects, and with the help from Nancy, Jeff and Carole, it is made so easy for me!!! Thank you for all of the FUN years!! Faye Joel


- I began working at Ben Franklin in July of 2001. I had been a stay at home Mom for 20+ years, doing odd jobs around the kid's schedules. I have always loved knitting, sewing and the whole realm of crafts and had sold for many years at craft fairs. When I first graduated from high school at 17, the Redmond Ben Franklin had been open about a year and my dream was to work there. Even at that young age I knew how to sew, knit, crochet and paint. I filled out an application and was interviewed by the owner. I remember during the interview he said that he had read my application and now he would like me to tell him what I felt I could do for the store. I thought I had said all that on the application and being only 17 and nervous about my first interview, I was speechless and just started crying! I was so embarrassed and needless to say, I wasn't hired...

Shoot ahead 25 years and I thought I would give it another try; this time in Monroe. I did the usual; filled out an application and then had an interview with Janet. She asked a lot of general questions and I basically shared all my crafting experience, this time including rug hooking on my list. But never having worked in a retail store, I felt that I had no "skills". Fortunately, she disagreed and hired me on the spot. I think I cried again, this time because I was happy. And to this day when I think about it, I chuckle because the only difference between the first interview and the last one, life experience aside, is that I was a hooker-(rug hooker). So we have had this little joke that I had to become a hooker for Ben's to hire me.

All that said, the question was, "how has working at Ben Franklin impacted my life?" I will say here that when I was hired I really had no idea how much retail is not only about selling, but about relationships. Adrian and Deanna encourage their employees to take ownership of their store, get to know the customers, and that customer service is extremely important. I have always felt that if I had something to say, (or complain about) there was always a listening ear available. And while I did not always get my way, I at least had a chance to state my opinion...(thank you Janet). I don't know how she keeps a smile on her face as sometimes we can all be so cantankerous! :). My experience at Ben's has really been much like a family- you have ups and downs, you support each other in good times and bad. And even when things don't go just your way, you learn to live with it, forgive and go on... I have loved my job and feel grateful that there is still a place to share my passion... Thanks! Sincerely, Lisa Engle


- I worked in the Scrapbook corner and then became the candle manager as well as helped out on the register. Went to a few trade shows with Jayna and "the crew"! It was great to order new products and then be able to use your creative side to create new displays and of course make room for it! Also worked in Receiving from time to time with Sylvia. Feb 1999 to March 2001 Janet Osborn hired me and we still talk through email to this day! When I started Marylin was the manager and then I was lucky enough to work under Jayna when she became the manager. I think I helped out at one time or another in every department except the Frame Shop.

My husband Tim started on the Night Crew as a second job and then went full time to manage the warehouse and Outdoors Northwest through it's closing. Made several trips to Bonney Lake as well as helping to set up for trade shows and the fair. He also built a new Christmas light board which may still be in use today.

Does anyone remember being in Receiving when the order of ALL the Christmas candles came in?!! Oh the smell and sinus headache that followed along with only inches to spare for a walkway! Good times! What about the change of seasons that the Night Crew created. Christmas was always the best and most beautiful. The different colors in the floral department during the fall lit the store up. And who could forget the sidewalk sales!!!

We love Adrian and all of the Ben Franklin Family that we worked and played with. It was an awesome pleasure to work with such great people. We moved to the Reno area in the summer of 2001 to be closer to family and miss the Ben Franklin Family that we left behind. One of our greatest memories is when we were blessed by our coworkers/friends with hand made stockings and gifts for our 6 kids...Christmas 2000. We all truly believed in Santa Claus that year. Congratulations on the new space!!! Tim & April Sieben


- I am the coordinator for the Thimbleberries Quilting Club at the Monroe store and I also teach other quilting/sewing classes. Needless to say, I love Thimbleberries and the Monroe Ben Franklin provides the perfect atmosphere to conduct this club. They have great fabrics and patterns, provide great door prizes and show a willingness to try new things in the club. It is so much fun to come up with ideas for different things to do in club and also for retreats and everyone here is always as enthusiatic as I am. Sheila Hooper


- I have shopped at the Monroe Ben Franklin for about 28 years! My husband and I moved to Monroe and I immediately began to browse and buy at the old store in the MGO shopping center. I have bought lots of fabric and craft items and "tons" of miscellaneous merchandise over the years. It is special to know the people who have worked there through the years and be recognized by them when I shop. My sister-in-law worked there when she was in high school and I think it's great that the store has given many teens their first jobs. I have come to take the store for granted, but I know many people who make a special trip here from many miles away just to shop there. I am really thankful that "my" Ben Franklin store has always been there for me!
Pam Wheatley


- As a wedding planner, I frequent stores that offer unique crafting ideas and products. My husband also helps research areas, and he located purple statice I have been looking for. We arrived to pick them up, and I saw the most wonderful green crystal strands, AND they were on sale! I am doing a wedding at Beau Lodge using green and purples as the theme, and these crystals will be the focus, refracting crystal green lights in the candle garden. Thank you Ben Franklin! Barbara Kinney, Seattle, WA - Lcc Wedding Planner 1980


- My very first experience at Ben Franklin was in the late 70's when the store was in the shopping center by the big smoke stack. It was a true variety store, crammed full of all kinds of goodies. I came in looking for fabric, and boy, did I find a lot more! I met Janet and we became friends. I began making samples to hang in the fabric dept. and was a real regular. When the new store opened in the late 80's I was hired to work in the fabric dept. I loved working with the Ben Franklin family and customers. I also worked in the hard craft area and eventually ended up as craft class coordinator. I continued making samples to display in different areas of the store. I learned new crafts and even taught classes. Yes, I have been a member of 'the' family for a long time.


I moved to Oregon for 3 years and the first time I came into the store when I came back to Washington was like an old homecoming. It was always fun to come in and see everyone and how the store has changed over the years. Ben Franklin always has great displays, merchandise, ideas and most of all friendly, helpful employees. I can't wait to see what's next. Linda Davis, Everett, WA


- I began shopping here I think in about 1980 at a time when I was an "at home" mom with 3 children under the age of 12. My crafts were an escape for me from constant household duties and also an area of expertise I opened up for the kids at the time. The trips from north Seattle to Monroe were also an "adventure" for us, kind of like a day trip.

A few years later these same activities became a means of income for the household when we really needed it. I sold at craft shows and stores and was always looking for bargains on supplies. Ben Franklin became an excellent, reliable source for me.

Fast forward through 15 years of a divorce, education, then a very heavy, stressful workload in the professional world which gave me no time for extra activities, thus no Ben Franklin. Now there is today where illness and disease has forced me out of that work world. My current diagnosis and disease would make it very easy for me to stay home and "hibernate", but I knew that would not help me very well so I looked back at what made me feel good in the past and was relaxing, hence CROCHET has been my escape! This has become therapy for sore, achy joints and with the classes and now Yarn Yoga which I attend regularly, a means of socialization, relaxation, forming new friendships and getting me out of the house on a regular basis!

I totally appreciate Donna, Linda, Mandy, Darcy when she was here, and the many other Ben Franklin employees I don't know the names of. They are always friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and help make the store a comfortable, friendly place to be. The low or no cost classes have improved my skills and taught me new ones and one of the greatest gifts you have assisted in is that 2 of my 3 daughters have now learned to crochet also with informal "coaching" through Yarn Yoga!

I have been able to give input about the new store space and classroom and people have listened to my ideas and suggestions. When I have looked for items not available, Linda has been able to order the items and get them within 2 weeks usually. The store and people are great, here's to another 30 years!
Vicki Eames, Lake Forest Park, WA


- I have loved Ben Franklin since I was a kid and growing up in rural Minnesota. It was the best trip to town. Better than A&W at times... My grandmothers were both crafters and tried all of it! When they both knitted and crocheted, NOTHING went uncovered in our homes. I have always loved the variety and pricing of Ben Franklin and they have kept their stores family oriented and updating as the years have progressed. I remember the day the store closed in our town, we were devastated. I think there was a memo at church that following Sunday. Most had to travel to next towns or counties to get their crafting supplies. Keep up the great work and I can't wait for the new section to get completed! More stuff to clutter my increasing scrapbooking area. I LOVE IT! Thanks! A true customer for many years, Janice


- Oh, I just can't wait to see the added space to the Quilt Shop in real soon for us to have the classes with more roomy elbows freely!!! Love to meet new friends, share with their talented experiences of quilts of their own creations. God cherishes you to care with us! Susan


- I love coming to your store since moving back to Washington in 1996. When almost all the other Ben Franklins are closing, YOU are expanding. That is absolutly the best! I appreciate that I can find "different" fabrics and other craft supplies not carried by other chain stores. You always feed my creativity cravings and give me new ideas. Thank you so much for providing such great service to your customers. Congrats on your expansion project. Cathy Jensen, Kent, WA