In big aqua letters on a yellow banner across the front All in Stitches, the quilt store in Polson, it says Retirement Sale.

“It's bittersweet,” owner SusanHartman said, “I’ve loved what I’m doing.”

“We’re known for our great customer service and friendly atmosphere,” she added.

A customer came into the store last Wednesday, saw the rapidly emptying shelves, and told Hartman,”Oh, it looks terrible in here.” At 30 percent off, including the sewing machines, inventory is disappearing.

“But it’s time (to retire),” Hartman said. “I've been working or going to school for 60 years.”

She started babysitting and mowing lawns when she was 12. Hartman also had careers as a ski instructor, a realtor, owner of a catering business, and a teacher’s aide. In addition to raising their own children, she and her husband were house parents for a sorority. She also earned an Animal Science degree along the way.

“I’m going to miss it desperately,” she said, glancing at the shelves of colored fabrics, some bright, some muted. She enjoys meeting and talking to people. So does her little dog, who accompanies her to work.

“About 8:30 a.m., my puppy dog starts dancing around,” Hartman said, laughing. “She’s ready to go.”

The fabric store has been a regular on Polson’s Main Street for at least 26 years. Pat Binger bought the store in 1999 from Mary Sale, and Hartman has been managing it since 2004. Two and a half years ago, she purchased the shop from Binger.

It’s been a hard decision to retire, with tears involved.

But she’ll get to sew for herself. Hartman only made one quilt last year, and three this year, but two of those were graduation quilts that had a deadline. She’s a great lover of Kaffe Fasset’s bold and colorful patterns so she’ll probably sew with his fabrics.

Traveling is also in Hartman’s future; she and her husband plan a trip to South Carolina to visit their eldest daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.

Groups of women gather to sew at All in Stitches, and Hartman is concerned about where they will meet. The Polson Senior Citizens Center is one possibility, as is the American Legion building. Wherever they meet, they’ll be missing Hartman, her friendly, knowledgeable crew, and the fabulous fabric.