To you, our valued customers
To you, our valued support, our valued customers,
This letter is very special. We’ve written it over and over again in our heads, often in the middle of sleepless nights. The time has come to write it for real: We’ve decided to close Rives. There, it is said.
It was a decision that took months to make, at first barely whispered in the corner of our heads, each to ourself, then quietly verbalized and finally, it clearly showed itself to be the best choice for the company and for us personally. We’ve come to this decision for much the same reasons as when we opened. A bit crazy, isn’t it?
Rives is a project from our hearts. We have dreamed, thought and created it based on values that are essential to us. To not play marketing gimmicks and play into ultra-fast capitalism. To offer quality products, as local as possible, at fair prices, for real creative needs, without rushing or encouraging impulsive, excessive purchases. We ourselves try to consume responsibly in our personal lives, and we don’t want to ask our customers to do differently! Well…surprise, surprise, it’s not very profitable.
The mercantile side drains us, tires us, and we no longer recognize ourselves in this role. Rives has been a magnificent project, an inspiring and emotional journey, so formative for us. We put all of ourselves into it, the best we had to give. Unfortunately, the reality is that this business, run according to our values and our way of doing things, is not profitable enough to sustain us. Being an entrepreneur is such a demanding job. The current economic climate is putting a huge strain on small businesses. We both have small families, and feel that our energies are needed elsewhere.
We’re extremely proud of what we’ve achieved, of all the people we’ve seen learn to sew with our workshops, find their bearings, develop their sewing courage and their passion for handmade. We were very proud to have so many of our dream brands, our favorite collaborators, and top-quality products, all under one roof for knitting and sewing. We’re also proud of the harmony with which we arrived at the decision to close. We stop without going into debt. We stop without getting completely burnt out. Big decisions are often difficult to make. It’s a slightly sad choice, but one that relieves us.
So…what next? Rives still has a magnificent knitting and sewing inventory. We are asking for your support in this final phase of our business. Our hope is that this carefully chosen material will serve you well, and make its way into your creative hands. The store is on a closing sale, with prices cut as far as possible so that you can stock up as you wish and help us clear out the inventory. Your presence by our side at this emotional time will be much appreciated.
And following this closure, I, Paule, would like to devote more time to Urso in the coming years. I feel like I’m finding some good creative threads with the illustrations and yarn and fiber combinations.
And as for me, Geneviève, I’ve got my hands full with my little boys and helping my family get back on track after a difficult career blow in 2023. I’m also looking forward to seeing what creative impulses come out of this space I’m giving myself…perhaps a slow return to creative journals.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for believing in us and our project,
Paule and Geneviève