Features
Learn how-to make a Spring Pinwheel Bouquet and Grapevine & Burlap Wreath with Pat Catan’s in Strongsville, Ohio.
How did you get started?
Pat Catan’s was founded in 1954, by Pat Catan, an entrepreneur from humble beginnings who valued hard work and dedication.
During WWII, Pat served under both the War Manpower Commission and the precursor to NASA, including a stint as a ground instructor at an aeronautics school in Maine.
When he returned home to Ohio, Pat opened a display and props service that worked with Cleveland department stores like Higbee’s, Halle’s, Linders and Rosenbloom to supply window decorations for their stores.
Pat’s successful display company, coupled with his own personal interests in designing toys and jewelry, led to the opening of his first craft supply store in 1954. Pat opened the 600 square foot store, which he called Lamrite, in Cleveland with just $200.
At Lamrite, Pat focused mostly on selling plastic artificial flowers. His big break came when a supplier of an imported wood fiber, which could be dyed and made into artificial flowers, gave him the exclusive rights to market the material to half of the country.
As business swelled, he began to add more do-it-yourself craft supplies and fine art products to his store shelves.
The name has evolved over the years and is now just Pat Catan’s, with 28 retail locations.
Where are you located?
We have 28 stores located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Michigan. Visit www.patcatans.com to find a store near you!
Which products do you specialise in?
Crafters can find just about anything they need for a project at Pat Catan’s! Each store carries basic craft supplies, floral supplies, kids crafts, custom framing, paper crafting supplies, fine art and drawing supplies, jewelry making supplies, DIY home décor, wedding and party supplies and so much more.
Do you have a particular favorite product that you sell?
The company was founded on artificial flowers and floral supplies, and those are still our favorite products! We have a wide selection of seasonal flowers at very affordable prices, and they are the top category for at all of the stores collectively.
What's on the stereo?
Our employees and customers range in age from teens to senior citizens, so we try to play a little something for everyone.
Where else should we visit in your area?
Our stores are located right by all kinds of awesome attractions. Our Sandusky, Ohio store is on the way to Cedar Point amusement park, our Monroeville and Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania stores are near Pittsburgh and all of the attractions the city offers, and our Berea Rd. location is just outside of downtown Cleveland, Ohio, which is home to three professional sports teams, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and plenty of five star dining.
Do you host any workshops, classes or special events?
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. all Pat Catan’s stores hold a Make It Take It project. Our Make and Takes are a quick, free project that anyone is welcome to come in and complete.
Our stores also host various other free weekend events throughout the year such as our annual bridal fair, Iron Crafter student craft design competition, an assortment of free product or craft technique demonstrations, and “Mania” weekends with deep discounts and featured projects for a specific craft supply, like yarn or paper.
In addition, each store has its own unique calendar of events that can include classes in anything from knitting and crocheting to drawing, painting and even cake decorating.
Even when there isn’t a class or free demonstration our stores have craft coordinators and floral designers on staff to help customers design and execute their projects.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
We are a family owned company, with many of Pat’s children and grandchildren working in our stores and corporate offices today.
That feeling of family extends past our employees and on to the community where each of our stores is located. Our stores participate in various events in their communities by sponsoring and bringing free Make and Take crafts to everything from Duck Races and 5Ks to summer festivals.
Do you have a favorite craft, art or supply shop in your town that we should feature? Send us a message!
Share
Follow
