East Lansing, Mich. – Local businesses in Mid-Michigan are beginning to feel the financial impact of the sweeping tariffs implemented by the Trump administration, with one East Lansing store, Country Stitches, warning customers of imminent price increases.
The sewing and fabric store, which specializes in sewing machines, fabrics, and related supplies, sent out an email to customers this week advising that prices are likely to go up in the coming months. The email, shared with 6 News, highlighted the growing concern among small businesses in the region as they prepare for higher costs due to tariffs on imported goods.
Ann Drane, co-owner of Country Stitches, explained that the majority of sewing machines sold at the store are imported, with most of these products being manufactured overseas since the 1960s or 1970s. She expressed concern that the tariffs will inevitably drive up prices, which will then be passed down to consumers.
“There will be tariffs on the majority of the sewing machines,” Drane said. “It’s really just going to increase prices. Those will be passed down to us, and then we’ll have to pass those down to our consumers.”
The store, which sources materials and products from a variety of countries, including Pakistan, China, and Switzerland, is facing an uncertain future regarding the cost of its inventory. While some vendors have already begun increasing prices, others are expected to follow suit between May and August. Drane noted that although they haven’t yet raised prices for customers, they have been hearing from suppliers about upcoming price hikes for several months.
“Our vendors have already started to contact us and let us know that they will be passing on the price,” Drane said. “Some have already started. Others will start any time between May and August.”
In addition to higher prices, the store is also preparing for potential shortages in supply. Drane explained that some vendors have indicated they may not be able to immediately reorder certain products, which could leave customers without access to desired items.
“We’re probably not going to have a product,” Drane explained. “We’re going to have trouble getting the product that we want, and that our customers want.”
The impending price increases and potential supply shortages are part of a larger trend being felt across the country, as businesses grapple with the financial fallout from the tariffs. For small businesses like Country Stitches, these changes are particularly challenging, as they rely on a diverse range of international suppliers.
“It’s a variety of price increases just depending on where they’re made,” Drane said. “And we’re not quite sure what all those prices will be.”
As the deadline for these price hikes approaches, local businesses and their customers will likely continue to feel the financial ripple effects of these tariffs for months to come. While the full extent of the impact is still unknown, it is clear that the burden will ultimately fall on both businesses and consumers, with small businesses like Country Stitches caught in the middle.
