Local store features ‘rhythmic’ name, variety of fabric, jewelry
Kansas State Collegian, KS
“Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye; four and 20 blackbirds baked in a pie.”
The opening lyrics to the nursery rhyme “Sing a song of sixpence” might not be heard everyday, but the phrase “four and 20 blackbirds” was the inspiration for a store on Poyntz Avenue.
Susan Kice, owner of Four and Twenty Blackbirds, 427 Poyntz Ave., said the jewelry and fabric store’s name came from the rhyme.
“I had gotten advice that the name needed to be rhythmic,” Kice said. “I kept saying I want the store to have four and 20 different things, and blackbirds were always in the back of my head.”
Kice said the store’s motto is “Four and 20 fine things for you, your family and your home.”
While the store offers everything from toys to jewelry to upholstery, it is dominated by a variety of fabrics.
“To get fabrics, you have to have a retail space,” Kice said. “So having a shop this size with fabrics is rare.”
Kice said she loved downtown Poyntz Avenue and took the opportunity to open her shop there in November 2005 when a place became available.
Andrea Auckly, Manhattan resident, said she likes the choice of fabrics the store offers.
She said Kice is knowledgeable about the fabrics and always has ideas for projects.
“I have kids and Susan showed me fabric where everything cleans off of it,” she said.
Kice said she has used her expertise to help K-State students design projects.
Andrea Granger, sophomore in agribusiness, said she visits the store to pick out fabric.
“I went with my mom to help pick out fabrics for pillows and stuff we were going to get reupholstered,” Granger said. “The store is cool, and they have a lot of choices for fabrics.”
Besides the fabric that fill the entire store, there is a selection of high-end jewelry that is made in Kansas, Kice said.
She said the handmade jewelry is from the Saint collection by Sarah Jane, and the prices start at about $100.
Kice said the jewelry might seem expensive, but it is good quality.
“I try to bring in stuff that no one has,” she said.
The local store also offers a selection of children’s toys and European reproductions of furniture.
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