I was hesitant to shop at the Handkerchief Factory after reading the reviews, but I'm glad I did! It's a nostalgic trip for me, having bought my bridal fabrics there in the 80's and my Grandmother and mother have shopped there since it opened in the '40's. I love that the building is as dilapidated as it was when I was a kid! It no longer sells general fabrics and sewing supplies and now only sells home decor fabric, but boy do they have a lot of it and at great prices! Of course, you can buy all sorts of high price fabrics, too but for me, finding velveteen sofa fabric at $18.99 a yard was a big score for my reupholstering project. They have plenty of bolts in stock and plenty of fabrics you can order. Don't miss the 3rd floor clearance rack. If you've got the time, you can sift through and find lots of great deals! read more

The 4 star review was just to allow me to post this review, which is just to come to the defense of the owner and his cell phone policy. How would you feel if someone came into your place of business, took pictures of your wares, then went off to some BS Chinese company online and bought crappy duplicates? Yeah, that would SUCK. So everyone needs to back off about this policy. read more

Great fabrics and trims. Shopped there frequently. Because of the new hours not so much. Don't really like the new hours, difficult to go if you work M-F. If I have a day off during the week it is typically a holiday and the store is closed. Maybe consider changing days to W-S. read more

Can't say enough about the customer service here. I went in looking for a specific fabric for chair reupholstering and the owner knew exactly where to look. Unfortunately the fabric was difficult to find in stock but he even stayed past his closing time to continue looking until finally finding a company that had it in stock and got it ordered. Will definitely be back. read more

I had not visited this place for several years, but am in need of some quality upholstery fabric. The place is now in a state of severe disrepair, smells overwhelmingly musty and is quite shabby. The man in customer service acted surprisingly snobbish. Needless to say, I will be taking my business elsewhere. Zimman's in Lynn, MA has always been great and the staff professional and polite. read more

I absolutely love this place! The availability of numerous designer fabrics here is great, and the owner is a pleasure to do business with. Every time I visit, it feels like I'm on a fun scavenger hunt! read more

You pay several thousand dollars for drapes. Installer comes and does his thing. A couple weeks later you notice a bracket pulling out of the wall. You contact the owner and make him aware of the issue. He gets back to you and says the installer didn't find wood behind the Sheetrock at this location. So apparently the installer thought that putting regular screws and maybe light duty wall anchors in Sheetrock would provide adequate capacity to support heavy drapes. WRONG. Forget prompt service to fix the problem they caused by using inadequate wall anchors. You get put back on the schedule. A couple weeks later, the installer comes back to fix the issue and the photos show the result. Not sure how this place is still in business. Additionally, the owner is a condescending and arrogant SOB and he runs the place like it's a SCIF in the bowels of Congress. When I'm done fixing the issue properly, I'll back change the owner for my labor. Be warned, TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE. read more

Exeter Handkerchief Company - FUBAR bracket installation - Furniture Stores Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

See all

Being someone in the commercial interiors industry never have had such a bad experience. I have bought fabric here in past for window treatments, out door furniture....Would never again. For some reason gentleman just handed me to fabric book when I told him what I was looking for. Had me sign book which he didn't seem to have anyone else. When I told him looking for more gray rather then beige, told me to look at edge. Then came back in and accused me of using phone which I cad not, it wasn't put away. NOT RECOMMENDED!! read more

I can always find something to purchase here. Old building all scratched outside doesn't draw you in however. Clerk was very helpful with my upholstery questions, and cut plenty of goods for me. Upstairs is a plethora of fun fabric (even some indoor/outdoor). Trim choices are great too. read more

I absolutely Love this place! They women and men that work there are always helpful and offering Great Advice on any project I'm About to tackle. I never know how much yardage I need and they're always, without a doubt, willing to help me and I always leave with the exact amount I need! I've bought most off my material upstairs in the remnant area...Saving me a boatload! I can't say enough about this Amazing place. read more

PLEASE FIX your website to post your NEW HOURS! Just spent 1/2 hour driving to you after reading on your website you were open!!! And you ARE NOT OPEN! Very Disappointing! Guess you can't believe everything you read on the computer! read more

Beware of sales clerk!!! First of all, I have done business with this place for many years and always had a good experience with helpful people. Today my husband and I went in to look at fabric for cushions for our sofa. My husband went upstairs to look at remnants while I looked at fabric panels on the first floor. In The meantime the clerk (I suspect an owner but not sure) told me I had to sign the book with my name that I wouldn't use my cell phone. In the meantime my husband came down, and I showed him what I had picked out. He then went on his phone to show a pic of the painting I was trying to coordinate with. At that point the rude owner ordered us out of the store; we were dumbfounded. Really? First of all my husband had just arrived and had never been informed of any policy. Second, we weren't taking pictures of his books. So, we left - never to return. This man who I suspect is the Andrew that the previous writer spoke of, is in the wrong business if he hates people so much. He wont be in business long if he treats people like that. Unhappy person, I would say. read more

This used to be a great source for fabric. However, now they have gotten rid of the bolts of fabric and replaced them with designer boards. If you find something that you like, it must be ordered. Don't know about you but if I am shopping for fabric I want to bring it home with me, not wait a week or two. I was told by an employee that it was cheaper for them not to have to stock bolts of fabric. It's also alot pricier now. And for those of you who sew, I was told by an employee that only "dinosaurs" sew, everyone else hires a decorator. Way to win customers! read more

I have used Andrew and Exeter Handkerchief for many upholstery projects. They are always beautiful! I can't recommend them more highly. They are wonderful to work read more

These guys just re-upholstered a contemporary chaise sofa for us. The entire experience was first rate. They helped navigate the seemingly infinite number of fabric samples and made helpful suggestions. The work was done on time and as estimated. The workmanship is exceptional. All in all I'd recommend them highly. read more

Horrible customer service, terrible outdated atmosphere, miserable experience. Wouldn't return there to buy a pack of gum, let alone contract for any upholstery business. read more

Without a doubt, the rudest owner/employees I have ever encountered in any retail store, anywhere! They are pushy, snippy, and unhelpful in the extreme. It may be with good reason their policy is not to allow customers to write down fabric information while shopping (judging by the signage, it appears this is a problem for them). Perhaps they should be asking themselves exactly WHY customers purchase elsewhere. I certainly won't be returning! ADDENDUM: I visited your store for the first time recently in pursuit of that perfect silk drapery fabric. In other words, I am what you would describe as a fabric-buying customer. So why, if your fabric books are open to everyone and available to use and sign out?, was I treated with such outright aggression and hostility when I made notes on a particular fabric sample, unaware of your ??rules?. And why was I pressed to purchase faux silk when I specifically requested real silk? Following a poor start, the situation continued to deteriorate after I was accused by you (Andrew) of ??writing information in my phone? when in reality, I was using my phone??s calculator to determine the approximate cost of the yardage I needed. Whatever your retail woes, they are fundamentally no different from those of any modern retailer anywhere who must purchase goods to sell to the public. Yet never before, in any shop large or small, have I ever experienced (or even witnessed) such outright rude behavior and extreme aggression perpetrated on customers by the shop??s owner and/or employees. I have also never before visited any store where signs prohibit making notes, or where I??ve been asked to leave because I used a calculator to estimate the cost of an item. A word of caution is appropriate here: care should be taken before accusing any customer of wrongdoing without a shred of evidence and based solely on hearsay! People have always comparison shopped, and with the advent of the Internet it is now even easier. That being said, most of us, myself included, are happy to support local businesses, sometimes paying more for items in exchange for great customer service and personal attention. However, after my recent abusive and highly unpleasant shopping experience in your store, you should know that I would travel far and wide to AVOID transacting any business with Exeter Handkerchief Company! It appears that you suffer from the misguided belief that in order to protect your investments you must constantly (and stealthily) monitor your customer's behavior to be certain they are not stealing any information. In my opinion, your excessive paranoia, overt rudeness, and pathetically poor sales skills have a greater negative impact on your business than comparison-shopping. To be quite blunt Andrew, the real problem with your business is you! Furthermore, I find it amusing that you feel the need to dilute the honest, if occasionally negative, opinions of your customers with subjective 5 star ratings of your own. Since you have a vested interest in the business (and are hardly unbiased) your opinions are of no value to readers seeking an objective review. In summary, if you have a sincere interest in advancing your business, you would be well served by taking courses in sales and marketing techniques and by seeking professional assistance to improve your interpersonal skills. Perhaps then, your customers will find shopping with you a pleasurable experience rather than something akin to a prison sentence. read more

I have been coming to this store and buying fabric and services for over 20 years. They have helped me with various projects in several homes. I have had fabric shipped to upholsterers, had furniture upholstered, bought fabric for curtains, pillows, headboards etc. Their workroom is good if you want them to make things for you - top quality. The employees have been there a long time so if you get to know them they will still be there years later. Mona, Ellen, Susan - all good and helpful. They happily give you swatches. A top notch resource. read more

What a fantastic experience. I can't imagine going anywhere else after working with Ellen. She's a mind reader. She knew exactly the look I wanted for our window seat cushion and has now helped pick out the fabric for bolster pillows after working on the window shades. I never would have even considered it and it's lovely. And so far everything has been ready ahead of time. read more

I ordered some great fabrics from the showroom and asked Exeter Handkerchief to reupholster an antique couch and wing chair. They also made armchair covers and decorative pillows. The craftsmanship on the upholstery is amazing, and they sent photos as they were working, with questions and suggestions. The turn around from fabric selection to new furniture was much faster than I expected: about a month. They also picked up and dropped off my pieces, free of charge. I would definitely use them again! The negative reviews on this site simply don't sound fair to me. The company's policies about choosing fabrics are clearly stated, fair, and intended to prevent people from using their extensive library to simply browse and then order elsewhere. read more

The lengthy review (1 star) concerning the strict "no notes, no pictures" policy and policing of said policies is spot on. Very strange. I felt very uncomfortable being there. It is almost oppressive and made me kind of nauseous. I was reprimanded a few times and felt like a "bad child." That being said, the business offers an extensive selection of books/swatches that can be signed out. In order to sign out books, you must pay a $55 fee that is nonrefundable and must be used toward the purchase of ordered material. So, if you do not find a fabric that you like, you cannot use this $55 toward notions or remnants. read more

Holy Toledo, I just read that negative review of Exeter Handkerchief Factory and I am floored! I live half an hour away and over the last ten years, when I decide to have a self-indulgent day, (several times a year) I take myself to Exeter Handkerchief Factory to indulge in hours of fabric hunting. I LOVE that place and so do my friends, we always have a pleasant experience with hopes of finding a real bargain on the top floor (which I have many times) since I collect antique furniture that seems to always need reupholstering. I had customer floor length drapes made there a few years ago which were of superb quality. Over and over I have found the staff and the owner couldn't be more helpful or courteous always checking in with me offering to cut samples for me to take home. The thought that came to mind when reading that stinging critique is that the writer probably tried to jot down the information from their books in order to shop for the same material at a discount website. As a lifelong self-employed business owner I understand the reasons that the Handkerchief Factory would disallow copying that info. They put in the hard work of finding the samples and buying the books, it's hard enough maintaining a bricks and mortar store without giving online merchants who have little overhead a helping hand, if a shopper wants to buy discount fabrics then I suggest she shop at discount websites and buy the samples from them.This is a local business that employs local people and pays local taxes. Fair is fair. If you are a fabric and art lover then this place is definitely an experience you shouldn't miss. I have been there many times and in fact the only reason I saw this review is because I was checking to see what time they open because I am heading there this morning. The people are wonderful and the fabric displays are so well coordinated and gorgeous that I always feel like I am at a fabric art gallery. Today is self-indulgent day . read more

This is hands down a great fabric resource. I have worked with many employees here over the years and have never had a bad experience - I am sorry for the people below who must have just hit them on an off day. We're all human and we all have bad days. Susan, in particular, is a gem - she works really hard to understand your needs and knows the inventory like the back of her hand. While I didn't shop here when it was just bolts, I know that the current shopping experience is fantastic - they do a great job of grouping by theme and color. Keep up the good work! read more

I just went to the E H F and I had fabulous service! Mona was so helpful and accommodating. They also have a fabulous selection of fabric and a remnant section that blew me away! I came home with the most gorgeous fabric for pillows, runner for my dining room and a great piece of fabric to cover a cushion with. All for less than $60.00! This place is a gem!! read more

I had a 100 year old sofa remade by Exeter Handkerchief last winter. Andrew was very helpful advising me on fabric choices. The sofa was picked up by his crew in October. The work was done over the winter and Andrew sent me updates and photos so I could see the progress. They then stored it in their facility until I was back in NH for the summer. The workmanship is perfect and we are enjoying the sofa. It probably wont last another 100 years but then I wont be around to find out. read more

Where to begin. We found a perfect fabric to re-upholster our couch here; clearly marked at $100+ per yard. When we approached staff to purchase a sample for our upholsterer she looked at us sideways and asked us (with her nose up in the air) "did you notice the price?". STRIKE ONE... Qualifying the customer based on appearance. We took the fabric to our upholsterer for evaluation. Without telling him the posted price I asked for his opinion on the material. "Great fabric." he said. As he often sources fabric for his clients (and because I trust his honesty and experience) I asked him to venture a guess as to wholesale cost per yard. He answered without hesitation. "$40-50 a yard". "Where did you find it?" he asked. I replied and he suggested I keep looking or make them an offer on the 25 yards needed for the job at hand. Both my wife and I agreed that the tagged price was both out of our budget and seemed inflated. But we both loved the fabric. Confident that there was a 100% markup I decided that when I returned the sample I would attempt to negotiate a lower price. We were willing to pay $80/yard for 25 yards. I returned the sample to an employee behind the counter and told them that we loved the fabric; that the tagged price was beyond our budget and told her what our upholsterer estimated the wholesale price per yard to be. I never got to offer $80 a yard. Retorted the salesperson, "We have already discounted the fabric 10% below suggested retail price." I replied that MSRP was a meaningless, often wildly inflated number . My tone may have betrayed how little I enjoyed having my intelligence insulted. We were willing to write a check on the spot for $2000. No one there acted as if they believed that or that they wanted our business. In the meantime we have shopped extensively elsewhere. I found way better, more welcoming staff and equal or better selection at Zimmans in Lynn Massachusetts and Martin's house of Cloth in Bedford, NH. One positive note: Many fabrics are expertly displayed in complementary groupings of texture/color/design on large panels. And you can browse without interruption by helpful staff. However, most fabric books are segregated in a small walled library for dues paying (literally) preferred customers. I mean, really. A note to the owners and management of EHF: Either behave as if your business is truly open (and welcoming) to the public or close up the Exeter location and move the business to a major metropolitan area where you can limit access to design professionals and not have to deal with soap-and-water-using retail consumers. PS: I happily purchased 25 yards elsewhere for $63 a yard. read more

I had a similar experience as another reviewer. The women who worked there, especially Susan, were absolutely wonderful and helpful in working through my project with me. I was taking pictures of a possible fabric and was scolded by the owner that nothing in the store can be recorded and that I must delete my photo right away. I was told I could check out a fabric book for $55 which could then be put toward a project. I most certainly intended on shopping local and was so pleased with the customer service Susan provided, but after my rude encounter with Andrew, I will go elsewhere. I understand the need to compete with online stores but I think there is a more pleasant way to go about interacting with customers. All you have to provide is customer service and if you're not great at that, people will go online or elsewhere. How far it would have gone if he had come up to me and introduced himself as the owner and said "thanks for coming in, let me know if I can help in any way". He's trying to keep business by discouraging documentation of any kind but that's backfiring because of his abrasive nature. read more

Exeter Handkerchief Factory is fantastic! There is a wonderful assortment of fabrics. The third floor has a great assortment of "Bargain" fabrics. Tuesday is even a better price. I had been looking for over three weeks for curtains for my kitchen. They had just the fabric and the price was very fair. Then... I found a coordinating fabric in the remnants. Such a bargain and such helpful staff. They knew exactly how much fabric I would need. read more