Family Enterprise Inc. Sells Business to True North Threads

The concern is always there that a large nationwide chain will take over when a family-owned business changes hands in a small town.

However, the recent sale of Family Enterprise Embroidery to True North Threads is calming the locals in Alpena. Diane Cantle has owned the business for over 25 years but is excited to retire. “We’ve worked really hard for a long time, going from transfers from a heat press in a garage to what we have now,” she said.

For Cantle, seeing all of the creative designs her customers have come up with has been one of the best parts of the job. “I know more about fish than I ever though I’d know,” she said. “It’s funny how particular people are or their particular design.”

Owner of several downtown businesses including True North Threads, Mollie Allen, understands what Family Enterprise has brought to the community, and wants to reassure them that things might be a little different but there will be changes for the better. “We want to keep everything that they’ve had so customers know what to expect when they come in, but add some of our own designs,” said Allen. “We can do some additional products but we want to make sure customers to feel like when they come in they’re going to get the same service, and products, and quality they’ve grown used to from family enterprise.”

Current employees of Family enterprise will stay on and the business will officially transition on Thursday.