- 1980-2007

Growing up in a growing family business

In 1980, The Sportswear Store made its status as a fabric emporium official, changing its name to Fabric Place. Over the next 27 years, Fabric Place expanded to 5 (really big!) stores and two custom design centers with locations in Woburn, Randolph, Newton and Boston in Massachusetts, Cromwell in Connecticut, and Warwick in Rhode Island. Known for its comprehensive inventory, high-quality fabrics and welcoming customer service, Fabric Place eventually employed over 500 people. Always at the helm of the successful New England institution were members of Annie Isaacson’s family – including Peter Isaacson.

Growing up in the family business (with both parents working at Fabric Place), there was pretty much nothing fabric-related Peter didn’t learn to do. He installed window treatments, worked in the warehouse ticketing fabrics, managed the stores, planned the advertising and ultimately became the buyer for fashion fabrics, the quilting department and notions. For more than 10 years, Peter served on the board of the American Home Sewing Association, making fabric and retailing friends and contacts throughout the country.