Shelly Kuropatwinski speaks about her upcoming retirement during an interview Tuesday at her shop, Atomic City Quilts, LLC, at 1247 Central Ave. Ste. C. Kuropatwinski is selling her business and welcomes inquiries from individuals and groups. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
As the last of her four children prepares to leave the nest, Shelly Kuropatwinski is announcing her decision to retire and sell her business, Atomic City Quilts, LLC, in downtown Los Alamos.
“My husband James is a Criticality Safety Engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory and his recent promotion requires him to travel a lot and I want to go with him,” Kuropatwinski said.
Atomic City Quilts celebrated its eighth anniversary Sept. 1.
“It has been a wonderful eight years and the best part of this business is definitely the customers – meeting, greeting and interacting with the customers is what I will miss the most!” Kuropatwinski said.
She said that she welcomes inquiries from individuals as well as groups interested in going in together to purchase her business.
“Whoever buys it I am excited to see the next phase of this business,” she said. “Included in the purchase, the new owner or owners will get all the products including fabrics and notions such as pins, needles, thread, marking accessories, batting, patterns and books,” Kuropatwinski said. “We also have a couple of consigners that I will introduce to the new buyer or buyers and they can decide if they would like to keep working with them. One sells homemade soaps and another offers leather accessories and completed quilts.”
Atomic City Quilts also has a classroom with sewing machines in the back of the shop at 1247 Central Ave. Ste. C, where Kuropatwinski provides classes.
There has been a quilt shop in Los Alamos almost continuously since the 1950s, she said. There is a sizable population of quilters and other fabric artists who greatly appreciate having a local business to provide the basics needed for their craft.
“Additionally, many travelers enjoy visiting Atomic City Quilts and purchasing our science-based fabrics and kits,” she said. “We also have a close association with the local quilter guilds that benefits both the guilds and the business. My shop has an established reputation, nationwide client list, exciting consignees, fresh inventory, cash flow, established lease and a great relationship with our co-leasees, “Close-Knit Yarn Cooperative” and our landlord.
To inquire about buying Atomic City Quilts, email shelly@atomiccityquilts.com.
Once Kuropatwinski sells her business and retires, she said she and her husband plan to continue living in Los Alamos.
“We love Los Alamos and are very active in our church, Immaculate Heart of Mary,” she said.
The Kuropatwinskis have been married nearly 26 years. Their oldest daughter Destini is attending college in Oregon. Their second oldest, Moira is an Instructional Assistant at Barranca Mesa Elementary School. Son, Robert Ignatius graduated Marine Bootcamp Jan. 28, 2022 and is stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. Their youngest daughter Kaitlyn graduated from Los Alamos High School in May and is attending classes online at NMSU.
To learn more about Atomic City Quilts, visit atomiccityquilts.com