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The Hofius House: Taylor Wahl’s Opportunity to Preserve the Art of Sewing in Bedford

Mirror photo by Holly Claycomb /
The Hofius House is located at 113 W. Pitt St., Bedford. The historic building will not only feature TwilaÔÇÖs but also other local artisans.

BEDFORD ÔÇö Taylor Wahl has had a passion for sewing since she was a child. Now a senior at Saint Vincent College, Wahl was offered the chance of a lifetime ÔÇö to own her own business and the historic Hofius House at 113 W. Pitt St. in downtown Bedford.

It was an opportunity she couldnÔÇÖt pass up.

While sheÔÇÖll graduate with a degree in international business and operational excellence/supply chain management, Wahl wanted to make sure she had a place to work on her love of sewing and quilting.

ÔÇ£Being in a place where I can continue the art is very important,ÔÇØ she said.

With her upcoming sewing and quilting business, Twila’s, she aims to continue the legacy of Mary Koval, the founder of MaryÔÇÖs Quilt Shop, and keep the art alive in the area for new generations.

Courtesy photo /
Taylor Wahl uses her sewing machine while posing for a picture.

A native of Windber, Wahl said she first picked up a needle and thread when she was eight years old.

She started by crafting clothes for her dolls, then received her first sewing machine as a Christmas gift and started making clothes.

During the pandemic, her interests expanded to quilting, which led to Bedford.

ÔÇ£Windber is not too far, which allowed me to visit often,ÔÇØ she said. ÔÇ£I always thought Bedford was cute.ÔÇØ

One particular day when Wahl shopped in Bedford stuck with Koval.

ÔÇ£I remember one day Taylor came into the shop and said she wanted to have her own quilt shop some day,ÔÇØ Koval said.

In talking with Wahl over time, Koval said she was impressed by her plans. When it came time to retire, she wanted to place her legacy in WahlÔÇÖs capable hands.

The transition from mentorship to ownership happened somewhat seamlessly, though it took a lot of work and a lot of support.

ÔÇ£I do not know anyone who works harder than Taylor,ÔÇØ Koval said.

Wahl worked with the Bedford County Development Association and with Jennifer Marsh of the Bedford County Startup Alleghenies program, where she received entrepreneurial guidance.

ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs been an exciting process working with a young and talented entrepreneur like Taylor,ÔÇØ Marsh said.

ÔÇ£Jen has been my biggest supporter from day one. After talking to her about my project, she worked tirelessly to help get me there,ÔÇØ Wahl said. ÔÇ£I counted on her through all of the ups and downs. There are a lot of different emotions when you take on a project like this, and Jen was with me through all of them. I donÔÇÖt think that I can ever say enough about how great she is,ÔÇØ Wahl said.

Startup Alleghenies helped her network, and it got her in contact with the right banks, lawyers, graphic designers and more, she said.

Jim Gonsman, vice president of Hometown Bank, also played a pivotal role in securing the necessary financing, enabling Wahl to transform her dream into reality.

ÔÇ£The process was interesting as a 21-year-old, but Jim made the whole thing a whole lot easier,ÔÇØ Wahl said.

Twila’s: A Creative Hub and Marketplace for Local Artisans

Wahl intends to turn TwilaÔÇÖs into a destination shop. She envisions a space that nurtures creativity and community, inviting sewers, artists, crafters, and enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to come together. The Hofius House will not only house TwilaÔÇÖs but will also serve as a marketplace for local artisans.

The ground floor will be transformed into a boutique offering clothing and quilts, and will double as an educational hub where people can learn sewing and quilting skills. She plans to also curate a selection of stationary products in the shop.

Apart from TwilaÔÇÖs and the boutique, the buildingÔÇÖs upper floors will be rental apartments. The Juice Shack will be another tenant in the building with more space available for more small businesses.

Preserving History and Supporting the Community

For Wahl, being the steward of the Hofius House is a dream come true. The landmark dates back to 1814, she said, and the buildingÔÇÖs rich history aligns perfectly with her mission to uphold the art of sewing while fostering a new generationÔÇÖs interest.

ÔÇ£I have always been into history, and being able to have my business in a building like the Hofius House is very fitting,ÔÇØ Wahl said.

Wahl plans to open TwilaÔÇÖs after she graduates in June 2024.

ÔÇ£TwilaÔÇÖs will be a fabulous addition to downtown Bedford, and TaylorÔÇÖs engagement with the community and plans to support other small businesses will make a big impact,ÔÇØ Marsh said.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help

The AI legalese decoder can provide invaluable assistance to Taylor Wahl during the process of owning and operating her business at the Hofius House. As a young entrepreneur, Wahl may encounter legal documents and contracts written in complex legal language, making it challenging to understand the terms and implications. The AI legalese decoder can analyze and interpret these documents, providing Wahl with clear explanations and summaries. This ensures that she fully understands the legal aspects of her business and can make informed decisions. Additionally, the AI legalese decoder can help Wahl navigate any legal requirements or regulations specific to her industry, ensuring compliance and mitigating potential risks. By leveraging the power of AI, Wahl can confidently focus on building and growing Twila’s, knowing that she has the necessary legal support and guidance.

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