The Story of Ben Franklin Redmond
Where We Began
On May 29th, 1975, Bob and Shirley Ferguson embarked on their new entrepreneur journey of opening Ben Franklin Variety Store. With a team of five dedicated employees, they set out to create a unique retail experience that would soon be a treasured part of the Redmond community. (Coincidently, it was during this very week that Bill Gates founded Microsoft in Redmond, although the two-business diverged vastly in their paths and industries.
As the years unfolded, our town experienced remarkable growth with the population nearly doubling by 1979. The opening of Bellevue Square and the surge of residential traffic in downtown Redmond brought forth new opportunities and challenges. In late 1979, after witnessing substantial sales growth without matching profits, a critical pivotal decision was made. They ventured into the then-emerging craft business.
Transforming the Business
The transformation from a variety store to a craft store began gradually, starting with the introduction of an artificial flower department showcasing an array of plastic flowers. Soon, beads, macrame, and an expanded fabric selection found their place on our shelves. In 1981, we proudly launched our first painting class, specializing in the art of “tole painting.” The year 1984 witnessed the birth of our Frame Shop, staffed by just two employees. During this time, the Sierra Pacific Crafts organization was formed by the Redmond Ben Franklin owners, who joined forces with owners of other independent businesses in Washington and Oregon.
By 1986, the last remnants of our former variety of merchandise were phased out, making way for a fully expanded craft selection. To accommodate this growth and enhance customer experience, we embarked on a cycle of store remodeling every three years, transforming the space formerly occupied by the state liquor store. This marked the beginning of a new era in crafts merchandising where our store thrived as a source of entertainment, activity, and expectational customer service. From 1986 to 1996, our passionate team grew from fewer than 30 individuals to over 80 dedicated and creative members.
48 years later…
Today, we stand as a premier destination for crafting enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive range of products to cater to every artistic idea. Our shelves are adorned with art supplies, paper crafts, fabric and yarn, beading and jewelry supplies, framing options, floral accessories, and home décor. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, outstanding customer service, and a penchant for innovation, we invite you to embark on a creative journey with us. Thank you for 48 years with us, we look forward to many more!
Our History in Photographs
