Shopping at Sign of the Arrow offers you much more than a beautiful baby present or needlepoint belt. Purchases might help breast cancer patients afford treatment, or supply classroom necessities for deaf children, or provide books to local elementary schools. For nearly 50 years, the philanthropic store has been a St. Louis staple for needlepoint supplies and gifts covering all occasions. Reopening just down the street this month in its new location, 9814 Clayton Road, Sign of the Arrow will continue to offer unique goods while doing good in the community.
After hosting various charitable fundraisers for years, the St. Louis Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi, an international sorority, established the shop in 1966. “It started out as a group of women who liked to needlepoint and do other types of handicrafts,” says Julie Filean, general manager of Sign of the Arrow and Pi Beta Phi alumna. “Over the years, that has all evolved into a more traditional gift store. We travel to markets around the country and work with established manufacturers and suppliers.” And the needlepoint business has grown, as well, offering custom design work, fullservice finishing, designer canvases from national artists and craft classes.
Two paid managers oversee the shop, but more than 80 volunteers make the business run, Filean explains. “They do everything from operating the cash register to selecting needlepoint and decorative stitches, buying and picking the products, pricing them, packing and displaying them, and teaching the classes.” Many are affiliated with Pi Beta Phi, but many others are simply interested in needlepoint or want to support charitable causes.
Once a year, volunteers and alumnae nominate nonprofits to receive grant money from the shop’s proceeds, and a philanthropy committee selects the recipients. Last year, 22 organizations benefited from Sign of the Arrow’s donations. Because Pi Beta Phi’s national philanthropic focus is literacy, proceeds generally benefit at least one literacy-related cause each year, according to Sarah Mudd, president of the store’s board of directors.
The new location will offer more space to accommodate storage and better display for needlepoint canvases. It also will allow for a wider selection of gift items. “Now we literally stack things in the stock room in every nook and cranny, floor to ceiling,” Filean says. “It has always been a dream that we could move to a bigger space, but it was really important to stay in this neighborhood where we’ve been for years. That’s why it’s taken so many years to find a good fit.” Long revered for its varied and unique gift items, the shop’s new lines include Lampe Berger fragrances and jewelry from local artist Abby Keough. Hours remain the same: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Tuesdays until 7 p.m.
Sign of the Arrow staff, volunteers and board members hope the new store will increase sales to generate even more funds for philanthropy. “That’s a real opportunity in our new space: to carry more products and give more to local charities,” Mudd says.
Photo by Bill Barrett
Pictured: Sign of the Arrow volunteers and staff inside the new store
[Sign of the Arrow is located at 9814 Clayton Road. For more information, call 314.994.0606 or visit signofthearrow.com.]