Joneses Opened Quality Fabric Store in Brevard

Alvin and Frances Jones opened Quality Fabric at 37 East Main St. in Brevard in Spring 1957.  They carried a variety of fabrics—broadcloth, chambrays, cottons, dimity, percales, printed lawn, seersucker and sheers, as well as quilting materials and cotton batting.  The store also had a full-line of Simplicity patterns and sewing accessories from buttons to zippers.

Mr. Jones was also an authorized sales representative for the Singer Company and Electrolux.  Products from both companies were sold at the Jones’ Quality Fabric store.  An advertisement states that Jones repaired sewing machines and vacuum cleaners. 

Transylvania County Home Agent, Anne Benson Priest promoted sewing family’s clothing and home goods to the women of local Home Demonstration Clubs as a money saving strategy.  Mr. Jones would accompany Miss Priest and demonstrate Singer sewing machines.

Alvin Jones was a Singer sewing machine sales and repair man. 
He and his wife, Frances operated Quality Fabrics in downtown Brevard.

Frances Jones was the daughter of Benjamin and Zetella Capps of Henderson County.  She married Alvin Jones in April 1956, a year before they started their Brevard business together.  The store operated for about ten years.  Alvin Jones later graduated from Duke Divinity School and served as a Methodist Minister in the Western North Carolina Conference.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.