I’m Joy Reich, owner of the Calico Patch Quilt Shop. We are located in the small town of North East, Pennsylvania on Lake Erie in the heart of grape country. In fact, my husband Leonard and I own a small grape farm, which we harvest for the Welch Juice Company. I have been sewing since I was 8 when I got my first hand crank sewing machine. I started quilting about 25 years ago when my best friend, Glenda Lewis, signed us up for a week-end quilt class. I didn’t much like it at first, but by the time I finished the quilt (four months later) I was hooked. I went to work at the Calico Patch then owned by Millie Ward and 2 years later purchased the shop from her.
Calico Patch Quilt Shop has been in its present location since April 11, 1998. The shop was at that time 16 years old. We have 1300 square feet of shop and class room space, and carry approximately 1600 bolts of fabric in a wide range, from Moda, RJR, Hoffman, South Seas, Clothworks and many more. We have good selections of 1930’s, Flannels, Batiks and Thimbleberries. I also design patterns that are exclusive to our shop. My staff at present consists of Debbie Shepler and Donna Reich. Both are long time quilters and great at helping with all your quilting needs. Debbie and I teach most of the classes, which we try to gear toward beginner and intermediate quilters. When I say we have great customer service I truly mean it. We will do whatever we can to help you with your quilting needs and make it a great experience for you, except sew for you. We also have an extend staff of gals who pitch in when needed; Lois Field, Alison Schmidt, Sandy Caccavo, Vickie Denardo (she bakes us cookies) and Carolyn Probst our Shop Mom. I am very proud to say that the staff, extended staff and customers think of the shop as home.
This is the brag part which I saved for last so you could ignore it if you like. I am the mother of two exceptional men. Leonard Jr. who is a sports information director at Mount Union University. He and his wife Helen, a school teacher, have been 10 years married with a beautiful 5 year old daughter, Caroline Joy Reich. And, Marine 1st Sergeant Joseph Reich newly married to Amanda who is the mother of my newest grandson, 7-year old Jarod. In my personal opinion, grandchildren are great, a true blessing. My husband of 38 years, Leonard, the grape farmer, has recently been retired from Welch’s after 33 years of service.
I’m Joy Reich, owner of the Calico Patch Quilt Shop. We are located in the small town of North East, Pennsylvania on Lake Erie in the heart of grape country. In fact, my husband Leonard and I own a small grape farm, which we harvest for the Welch Juice Company. I have been sewing since I was 8 when I got my first hand crank sewing machine. I started quilting about 25 years ago when my best friend, Glenda Lewis, signed us up for a week-end quilt class. I didn’t much like it at first, but by the time I finished the quilt (four months later) I was hooked. I went to work at the Calico Patch then owned by Millie Ward and 2 years later purchased the shop from her. 
