One-hundred-year-old business is now booming
By Cindy Christy Fertsch
“It all started with the masks in March,” explains John Dollard, 3rd generation owner of Dollard-Baker Sew & Vac in Marmora. “Suddenly people went into their closets to get their sewing machines out because they wanted to make masks. Many needed repairs, so folks brought them in for repairs or bought new machines. Now there is actually a shortage of sewing machines.” The COVID pandemic has more people staying at home, taking up new hobbies like sewing. While the pandemic has put a strain on most businesses, some have seen a boom. “Prior to COVID-19, we were slow. I even thought we would be forced to take a loan. Now business is booming, and we cannot keep up with demand,” said John. “Our only competition is the internet and that is no competition because a computer can’t look you in the eye and provide customer service.”
Dollard Baker Sew-Vac will be turning 100 years old next year and has been serving customers since 1921 in Atlantic and Cape May County. The original owner, the late Thomas Dollard, operated his sewing machine shop in Atlantic City in the early 1920s. The business later developed a vacuum cleaner trade as well. Throughout the decades, Ed and Phil Dollard (2nd generation) expanded the business. In 1970, John Dollard (3rd generation) started working in the business at the age of 20. The business stayed in Atlantic City until 2002, at which time it merged with Baker’s Sew & Vac, where it is now growing to new heights. Today, the shop is run by family: John, his daughter Christina (4th generation), Tom (John’s nephew), Carlos (the sewing machine whisperer), and Merry May (the quilting guru).
Dollard Baker Sew-Vac has succeeded for generations by providing excellent service, repairing machines with quality control, teaching sewing classes and by selling the world’s best sewing machines and vacuum cleaners, as well as having a full array of parts, bags, fabric and supplies.
Dollard Baker Sew-Vac is located at 232 South Shore Road in Marmora. For more information visit www.dbsewvac.com or call (609) 390-0343.
