There Is So Much Hope
This year has been a year has been a challenging one. The more people I talk to though, it appears we aren't the only ones that feel this way. There was an overall feeling of climbing a mountain this year. Anyone else?
We will start with the draught. This year we saw an almost unprecedented lack of rain in June and August. As a result, our crops suffered. The corn suffered and so did the cotton. If you've followed us for any period of time, you know we use our best cotton we grow to put into our products. This year, those numbers of bales are significantly reduced. We are working with our spinning partners to source additional cotton from the Delta region of the United States to make up the difference. That area saw more rainfall this year and was able to produce some better cotton fibers. We promise a pure US grown and made product. That hasn't changed! We also have a promise to our mill partners and to our customers and we want to continue to provide the best USA grown and made linens available! This is our solution to a challenging situation.
Speaking of challenges, the largest challenge that defined this year was the closure of 4 manufacturing partners this year. In January, 1888 Mills in Griffin, Georgia closed. They had been making our towels for us since 2017. This was a let down but we quickly pivoted to American Merchant in Bristol, Virginia. In September, we got the word they would also be closing their doors. This leaves us without a towel manufacturer currently. We are in the process of developing a new towel program but it will be several months into 2025 until we can bring our customer another American grown and made towel.
Additionally, Carolina Cotton Works in Gaffney, South Carolina shut down. They made our loungewear fabrics for us. And two weeks ago, we received word that our finisher, Yates Bleachery, in Flintstone, Georgia would also be closing up shop. This one hurt the worst. Brewster Yates gave us our first life line in the beginning when we made our first production run in 2016.
This year has been hard and at some points looked a little bleak. However, there is still SO MUCH HOPE. And that's what I want to leave you with this Christmas morning. In the face of much diversity, we are continuing to grow. We were able to add 30 jobs this year in our own manufacturing facilities. We launched new and ambitious collections and saw growth we weren't planning on — and this is all because of our wonderful community here! We are making an impact with the work we are doing and I hope you feel that! We are guaranteed challenges in this life, but we have hope in Jesus and for the future and that is the blessing of Christmas!
I walked through our warehouse today and there are a lot of empty spaces! I look at these spaces as areas of opportunity and hope for 2025! I hope you stay around because we have such amazing things in store for you all in the coming year! Beautiful pops of color, texture and prints!
There are still a few days left before we get to 2025 friends! I would like to personally invite you to shop our remaining 2024 inventory during our New Years Sale (which starts today)!
Use code: NEWYEARS25 at checkout to save 25% on your order through January 3rd!
I hope you find something for you to enjoy! We sure do appreciate each and every one of you!
Merry Christmas!
We will start with the draught. This year we saw an almost unprecedented lack of rain in June and August. As a result, our crops suffered. The corn suffered and so did the cotton. If you've followed us for any period of time, you know we use our best cotton we grow to put into our products. This year, those numbers of bales are significantly reduced. We are working with our spinning partners to source additional cotton from the Delta region of the United States to make up the difference. That area saw more rainfall this year and was able to produce some better cotton fibers. We promise a pure US grown and made product. That hasn't changed! We also have a promise to our mill partners and to our customers and we want to continue to provide the best USA grown and made linens available! This is our solution to a challenging situation.
Speaking of challenges, the largest challenge that defined this year was the closure of 4 manufacturing partners this year. In January, 1888 Mills in Griffin, Georgia closed. They had been making our towels for us since 2017. This was a let down but we quickly pivoted to American Merchant in Bristol, Virginia. In September, we got the word they would also be closing their doors. This leaves us without a towel manufacturer currently. We are in the process of developing a new towel program but it will be several months into 2025 until we can bring our customer another American grown and made towel.
Additionally, Carolina Cotton Works in Gaffney, South Carolina shut down. They made our loungewear fabrics for us. And two weeks ago, we received word that our finisher, Yates Bleachery, in Flintstone, Georgia would also be closing up shop. This one hurt the worst. Brewster Yates gave us our first life line in the beginning when we made our first production run in 2016.
This year has been hard and at some points looked a little bleak. However, there is still SO MUCH HOPE. And that's what I want to leave you with this Christmas morning. In the face of much diversity, we are continuing to grow. We were able to add 30 jobs this year in our own manufacturing facilities. We launched new and ambitious collections and saw growth we weren't planning on — and this is all because of our wonderful community here! We are making an impact with the work we are doing and I hope you feel that! We are guaranteed challenges in this life, but we have hope in Jesus and for the future and that is the blessing of Christmas!
I walked through our warehouse today and there are a lot of empty spaces! I look at these spaces as areas of opportunity and hope for 2025! I hope you stay around because we have such amazing things in store for you all in the coming year! Beautiful pops of color, texture and prints!
There are still a few days left before we get to 2025 friends! I would like to personally invite you to shop our remaining 2024 inventory during our New Years Sale (which starts today)!
Use code: NEWYEARS25 at checkout to save 25% on your order through January 3rd!
I hope you find something for you to enjoy! We sure do appreciate each and every one of you!
Merry Christmas!
With All The Hope,
Anna Brakefield
Co-Owner / Founder Red Land Cotton