About City Blocks Quilt Shop

The idea for a quilt and fabric co-op was born when Glad Creations closed after 42 years at 34th and Bloomington. A strong community of sewing and quilting enthusiasts wanted to keep a shop in South Minneapolis and launched a project to turn it into a consumer-owned co-op.  Thanks to the early and hard-working volunteers, the Quilt Shop Co-op opened in October, 2020. In Spring 2023, this shop was renamed to City Blocks Quilt Shop.

The co-op offers fabric, notions, and classes for quilters and sewists of all kinds. Like food co-ops, members have input into the types of merchandise and classes the shop offers and receive benefits like special sales or member-only events. While the shop is technically owned by all of the more than 400 members, everyone is welcome to shop online or at our Bloomington Ave. store location. 

City Blocks Quilt Shop is committed to fostering a diverse community and in contributing to our Powderhorn neighborhood. Membership is open to all and all members will receive the same benefits, without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. Our co-op is owned and sustained by people interested in building community, connection, and joy through the fabric arts. Whether you are a quilter, a sewist, a modern art maker or simply a fabric admirer -- all are welcome to join. If you share our values, you will be right at home as a member or patron of City Blocks Quilt Shop.

City Blocks Quilt Shop holds dear a concern for the community, and we see and hear that many in our community are hurting and have been hurting for generations. We stand against injustice and racism. As we continue to build this cooperative together, we are committed to uplifting voices that have been overlooked or disempowered and finding ways that sewing can contribute to community and justice making. In keeping with the long-standing tradition of co-ops, City Blocks Quilt Shop identifies with the Seven Cooperative Principles and the Cooperative Values, as listed below.

Seven Cooperative Principles

1. Voluntary and open membership

2. Democratic member control

3. Member economic participation

4. Autonomy and independence

5. Education, training, and information

6. Cooperation among cooperatives

7. Concern for community

What is a consumer-owned co-op?

A consumer-owned co-op is a community-owned business whose members share ownership and benefit from its products and services. Each member owns an equal part of the co-op through the purchase of a one-time investment share. All members have one vote in governance.

How is it structured?

Members democratically elect a Board of Directors and this board serves the interests of members as a whole and guides the financial future of the organization. In time, the board will hire a manager to oversee the day-to-day operation of the business. Currently, all of our staff are volunteers. Annual meetings are held for members.

What are the benefits of becoming a member?

• Shop locally for high-quality fabrics, notions, and classes, and receive assistance with projects from friendly and knowledgeable staff


• Attend special member-only events


• Influence inventory selection and class topics through periodic member surveys 


• Gain access to community meeting space

• Receive a patronage refund, as determined by the board of directors in profitable years

• Engage in supporting a small business in the local community

How can I help?

Are you interested in teaching a class or workshop at City Blocks Quilt Shop?

Governing Documents

Articles of Incorporation
Bylaws