Clothes hospital to close
End of era for popular business
FOR 57 years residents have been taking their clothing to be repaired or altered at the Toowoomba Clothes Hospital.
But on December 15 the sewing room in Ruthven St will close for the final time.
Josie Deurloo has owned the business for the past 10 years and worked there for close to 30 years, currently working alongside two other women.
“It wasn’t just a spur of the moment thing, let’s put it that way. Because I really didn’t want to,” Ms Deurloo said.
“I am not going to stop sewing. It was a hard decision but I have got to look at my age too.
“I will slow down a little bit. But I think people will come out to my place to bring their stuff - a lot of them said that they would.”
Ms Deurloo started working for the original owners, the Dart family, for just two hours a day doing hand sewing.
She never imagined she would eventually buy the business, and at 60-years-old, but bought it to save it from closing.
“From the tiniest repairs, to sewing on buttons, to wedding dresses, suits, all sorts and anything in between I do,” she said.
“It has just been steady work.”
Before the Toowoomba Clothes Hospital shuts its doors for the final time, Ms Deurloo would like everyone to pick up their pieces because if they are left she will donate them to charity.