At Slipcovers Etc., we specialize in custom slipcovers tailored to fit each piece of furniture. To ensure a perfect fit, the furniture must be available in the shop or nearby for at least two fittings. Alternatively, we can create new slipcovers using an existing cover as a pattern by carefully dismantling it to cut the new pieces. To receive an estimate for fabric requirements and labor costs, customers should provide a photo of the furniture. Please note that customers are responsible for supplying their own fabric.

Slipcovers Etc. has been in operation since May 1999, originally located at 54 Queen St., Chester, NS. The business began in a commercial building that had been newly renovated to accommodate a large store and three smaller retail or office spaces. Initially, we also offered sewing lessons, which quickly became popular and led us to outgrow the space. As a result, we relocated to Pleasant St. in Chester, a location that provided better visibility and street presence. Over time, changing circumstances prompted several moves within the village, ultimately leading us to our current location on Duke St., where we now enjoy both ample space and high visibility.

Since our opening, Slipcovers Etc. has also offered minor clothing alterations to meet a local need. In recent years, we have embraced the importance of repairing and altering clothing to support sustainability through recycling, repurposing, and reusing garments. We are proud to contribute to reducing waste and helping to protect the environment.

Additionally, we are passionate about supporting local and Canadian-made products. As part of the growing movement to shop locally and prioritize "Made in Canada" goods, we encourage customers to consider sustainable home furnishings. Whether through slipcovers or upholstery, we believe in reusing materials and reducing environmental impact while supporting our local community.

History of 55 Duke Street

The house, built circa 1837 as both a residence and a general store, features a rock-walled basement, three floors, and an accessible rooftop, creating five distinct levels in total. The east-facing balcony, which once served as a shared space for upstairs tenants, no longer exists. Until the 1930s, an exterior stairway on the south side of the building provided the only access to the second-floor suites. Another distinctive element is the round window overlooking Chester's Front Harbour, which is original to the house. While its purpose is uncertain, it may have functioned as a widow's watch or simply as a means to let daylight into the attic.

Throughout its history, the building has housed a variety of commercial enterprises. Local lore suggests it may have once served as an inn, a troop bunkhouse, or even a tavern. Over the years, it became home to various businesses, including an outlet for fishing and hunting licenses, the Cole Drug Store during the 1940s to 1960s, and a children's clothing store in 1988. It later hosted a photography studio in 1990, followed by a sewn art and crafts shop from 1992 to 2001. In the early 2000s, the space was occupied by an interior design studio and subsequently transformed into a bookstore between 2008 and 2010. More recently, it served as a yoga studio, and today it continues its legacy of craftsmanship as a sewing and mending shop specializing in slipcovers and custom work.

Written by: Fran Underwood, BID, FIDC, RIDNS