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90-year-old business owner not ready to retire

Posted at 3:37 PM, Sep 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-01 20:29:31-04

A fabric store that started as a love story has grown into a place many people love right here in Tucson. Fabrics-that-go on Campbell has been around since the 1970's. 

The story begins on the East Side where two lovebirds, Claire and Herman Grunstein opened a fabric shop in what was then known as the silk capital of the world, Harrison, New Jersey.

After years of blood sweat and tears the two decided to close up shop. 

"We worked that way and we came here because we thought we were coming to retire because we worked so hard," says Claire. 

They gave up snow storms for sunshine here in Tucson. 

But that didn't last long - after a few weeks of non-stop tennis, Herman became bored and asked his wife Claire if they could open up a hobby shop but this time keep it small. 

Fabrics-that-go opened in 1978 on Campbell and since then it has flourished. 

"That's how we got back into it again and I'm glad we did because I'm never bored," says Claire.

Since the opening in Tucson - the store has moved 3 times as the it became larger. 

The store holds more than 10,000 fabrics from around the world. 

Claire who is 90-years-old with a young soul hasn't stopped working. In fact, she works 30 hours a week. 

"It's not a job, it's the best thing that I look forward to everyday and I get up every morning and i can't wait to get going." says Claire. 

Her husband passed away last year at the age of 93. She says, he worked until his last breath.

Claire says, "it would have been me and my husband if we could have stayed young."

Claire says the shop is filled with memories of her best friend and life partner so being at work keeps her busy. "I don't know what I would do if I couldn't work."

The business now has 7 employees working for them and they get people from all over the world coming in. 

Claire says the stories will last a lifetime. 

Claire says she doesn't know why anyone would want to retire. 


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