Tuetken plans next phase of life after closing J.T. Hadherway

     After almost 30 years in business, J.T. Hadherway closed its doors on Friday afternoon, Nov. 30.

     Owner Judy Tuetken, a staple in her own right in Monticello, said it was just time to scale back. After making the decision to sell her home and move to town, Tuetken said it was just time.

     However, don’t expect her to slow down any time soon.

     “I am not a quiet retired person,” she said with a laugh.

     Tuetken said the hardest part is knowing that sewing supplies and fabric will no longer be sold locally.

     J.T. Hadherway opened in 1990, aptly naming the store after herself. As her son, Joe, was assisting is renovating the downtown building, Tuetken knew how she wanted things to be done.

     “I got my way,” she said.

     J.T. Hadherway originally began selling women’s clothing “because you could never find any locally,” recalled Tuetken.

     “I am a firm believer in shopping local because it keeps the sales tax local,” she explained.

     Not wanting to send people to Cedar Rapids of Dubuque for clothing, Tuetken felt she needed to sell it in Monticello.

     A few years in, though, she realized she was not match for the big box stores in terms of competition and buying power.

     “It became evident that independent women’s clothing stores would have a hard time,” she said. “We had no advantage over the big box stores.”

     That’s when J.T. Hadherway expanded its merchandise. In the early 1980s, Long Drug, which was owned and operated by Tuetken’s late husband Phil, sold fabric and sewing products.

     “It was a small department,” recalled Tuetken.

     With J.T. located directly next to Long, it made sense to move some merchandise over. The fabric was added to the store, as was Christmas décor, kitchenware and gift items.

     “We expanded the fabric,” said Tuetken. “And started offering a little bit of everything. It almost became a general store, with the two stores (Longs and J.T.) working together.”

     Soon, J.T. started making a name of itself with customers in Iowa City, Davenport and beyond.

     “People came here from a 50-mile radius,” said Tuetken.

     Selling fabric and sewing items is a specialty niche, and Tuetken said once your business name is out there, people will keep coming back.

     J.T. Hadherway became part of the statewide All Iowa Shop Hop, which included fabric, sewing, and quilting stores all over the state. This annual event brought people to Monticello.

     “It’s statewide recognition,” said Tuetken. “It connects different shops with each other, and each has its own specialty.”

     Tuetken knows a thing or two about sewing, having made her children’s clothes early on. From there, she ventured into sewed décor and accessories for around the house.

     In 2005, Tuetken sold J.T., yet still helped out from time to time. In 2015, she took the business back, and three years ago, relocated J.T. Hadherway to her home in rural Monticello.

     “I’m not a spring chicken anymore, and I wanted to bring it here,” she said. “And Phil was retiring, too.” Tuetken’s garage was renovated to make room for the business, and people still found her on 150^th Avenue.

     Up until now, J.T. was open five days a week, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

     “If people really wanted fabric, they would find a way to come out here,” she said.

     Knowing she wanted to close the business, Tuetken tried her hardest to find someone to take over the fabric end, with no luck locally.

     “I tried very hard for someone to take it on in town so it would stay here,” she said. “I have done well as a fabric store, and it would be a good addition to any retail shops in the area.”

     As to the success of J.T., Tuetken didn’t mince words when she said it was all about advertising.

     “I was very diligent in how I advertised,” she said, not just locally, but region-wide. “I put myself out there.

     “People have to reach outside of Monticello,” added Tuetken. “Monticello cannot stand on its own.”

     Tuetken had fond memories of her time running J.T. Hadherway… “There are certain things,” she said. “It was fun planning for the business.”

     She was heavily involved in the local chamber and regional tourism as well, and plans to continue that local support.

     “I helped with the Commercial Club and Chamber,” she said. “I was involved in events, and we need to get back to that.”

     Tuetken will also stay active with her another passion: Riverside Gardens.

     “When I became involved, I knew nothing about gardening,” she admitted. Tuetken said she referred to garden Club member Joy Adams for her expertise.

     Tuetken is looking forward to her next chapter in life, moving to town, being closer to Riverside and her friends.

     “If you’re going to live here, you need to step up to the plate,” she said of being active and supporting one’s community. “I like to think big, and if I want to do something, it cane be done.

     “I want to see what is new out there.”