LNS Spotlight: Third Coast Stitches

Nothing says summer like a trip to Chicago to visit one of my favorite local needlepoint shops (LNS), Third Coast Stitches (TCS)! The shop opened in 2021 when founders Kathryn and Mackenzie emerged from the pandemic avid (self-taught!) needlepointers and spotted a huge gap in the local market - downtown Chicago didn’t have a single LNS. With their prime location and charming window display, it’s no wonder Chicago caught the needlepoint bug quickly once TCS opened their doors. If you’re not catching Kathryn or Mackenzie, any of the shop girls you meet when visiting Third Coast will make you feel right at home and are incredibly helpful in canvas and thread selection. It’s amazing to hear how many people have picked up needlepoint purely because they stumbled into Third Coast and felt inspired!

In 2022, TCS reached out to see if MJD would be interested in collaborating on a design. I had never been to Chicago, so was thrilled to visit a new city and collaborate with a new LNS! 4 years later our tradition continues; it’s one of my favorite annual events! In anticipation of my upcoming trip to Chicago, I chatted with Kathryn & Mackenzie and asked them to share some more about Third Coast in their own words.

About Third Coast:

Third Coast Stitches was founded by Mackenzie Reimer and Kathryn Cannon Weir in 2021. Opened with the needlepoint beginner in mind, TCS is a full service needlepoint business with an emphasis on connection and community. TCS originally opened in Lincoln Park and is thrilled to be moving to a new location in Old Town this summer! Just a few blocks down the road from our original location, the new shop offers almost four times the space; the TCS team cannot wait to open their doors and welcome old friends and new customers alike! We believe in the peace, accomplishment, and connection hobbies can bring - and love their role of connecting more individuals through stitching!

What Makes Third Coast’s Inventory Unique:

TCS focuses on stocking truly beautiful canvases! The canvases we stock stand out for the creativity, talent and aesthetic of the designers who paint them. Our curated collection of canvases has something for the newest to most experienced stitcher.

The Third Coast Difference:

At Third Coast, community is at the heart of our business. Our mission is to cultivate creativity and community by offering a sophisticated, approachable take on classic crafting. We are passionate about running a storefront-forward business, and creating a place for women to build community and friendship.

Where to Fly & Neighborhoods to Stay:

Chicago has two airports (O’Hare & Midway). We love our neighborhood, Lincoln Park, but also love nearby neighborhoods Old Town (our future home!) & Gold Coast. Love baseball? Stay in Wrigleyville, home to our Cubbies! Interested in staying further west of the Lake? Bucktown is a darling neighborhood with a totally different feel!

How To Stay Connected with Local Stitchers:

Stitch Club Chicago has an amazing community of needlepointers - stay up-to-date on what they’re doing via their Instagram account. When we can’t make their events around the city, we like to stitch in Oz Park & Lincoln Park or with friends at J9 Wine Bar.

Hot Spots when visiting Chicago:

For celebrating….Le Colonial!
For drinking…. Lux Bar!
For coffee… La Colombe!
For a workout… Shred 415!
For shopping…Batik Chicago and Alice & Wonder!

Why Chicago Should be on your Travel Bucket List:

Chicago offers a vibrant mix of culture, history, and adventure for all ages, from world-class museums and iconic architecture to a diverse food scene and scenic parks. Whether you're exploring shops on Michigan Ave. or on Armitage, enjoying live music, or taking an architecture tour on the river, Chicago is for everyone (especially in the summer months!).

I can personally attest to the fact that Chicago in the summertime cannot be missed, and if you’re in town a trip to Third Coast is sure to be a highlight! I hope to see you the first weekend in August to celebrate Third Coast's NEW space, and our exciting new exclusive designs….! I absolutely love them, and can’t wait to share. In the meantime, take a look back at our previous Third Coast collaborations.