Love this place!
by katymccormic on 11/13/2017
I've been coming to Allyns for more than 25 years... first for the material for my prom dress, then gorgeous lace for my wedding dress and now, with my 5-year old daughter to find lace for a flowergirl dress. The shop is amazing in the "seek and you will find" category. I would compare it to a well-organized antique store. In many cases, you might find yourself looking through bins of ribbons, or plastic bags of sorted lace appliques, or through shelves and shelves of neatly bagged cards of lace and trim.
The key with Allyns is to appreciate that this is a small shop with just a few employees, who really take their time like it was done in years past. If you call and no one answers, it's because they are dutifully looking for just the right piece of fabric, lace or trim for the customer. When you come, plan to spend at least an hour or more, because it's worth waiting your turn to be helped by their knowledgeable staff.
The store has been open for nearly 60 years, and I've found some spools of ribbon there that are nearly that old... gorgeous, not to be found anywhere else.
If you're wondering if it's worth the trip, just double-check the hours, allow yourself enough time in the store and make some time to visit the other great shops along Broadway. (If you're a cake decorator, check out Cake Crafts just south of Allyns on Broadway and Oxford... a similar treasure trove!)
