By Charlene Dean

Pahrump doesn’t have a central location for shopping; one has never been established and yet there are a surprising number of services here. Two examples are a relatively new fabric shop and a travel agency.

Shirley Righter is like a lot of folks who come here to retire — she wanted something to do. Righter opened Hidden Stitch Fabrics in December using her double-car garage as a storefront.

The shop, located at 720 W. Leslie Street, transpired through Righter’s love of sewing and experience with quilting. “I was already a seamstress,” she said. “I’m also a quilter. Opening a fabric shop seemed the logical next step.”

Righter said her daughter suggested opening a store and Righter said, “I took it and ran.”

Hidden Stitch Fabrics is stocked with lace, ribbons, bias tape, flannel, fleece, denim and children’s fabric designs as well.

Although Righter said she really caters to quilters, she also carries yarn, threads, needles, rotary cutters and simple sewing notions. “I’m expanding slowly and with the demand of my customers.”

Righter also makes crafts and said her decorated kitchen towels are “a good seller.”

Hidden Stitch Fabrics is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Call 702-806-5671 for more information.

Pahrump hasn’t had a travel agency since Travel & Cruise owner Terry Hand retired several years ago.

Van and Maureen Atkins were also going to retire here and found themselves wanting “something to do.”

That something turned out to be All Travel & Cruise Center Inc. Seasoned travelers, they enjoy it and, according to the Atkinses, “it’s something we know how to do.”

Van Atkins said, “We had a travel agency in California and also in Asia, when we were living there.” Atkins said he was in banking and for 10 years, his job took him overseas.

Maureen Atkins said, “We were traveling a lot then. People began enlisting our help to plan their trips and one thing lead to another. We opened an agency.”

The couple moved to Pahrump five years ago and two years ago they reactivated the agency license.

The Atkinses said they know people here can go “over the hill” and book trips and cruises but they are offering personalized service.

“Wouldn’t you rather deal face-to-face with travel experts actually living in Pahrump? Someone that will even come to your home to help you plan your trip?” Van said. He said a lot of clients prefer the convenience.

Maureen said they specialize in cruises but can also put together travel packages with flights, accommodations and car rentals. “We don’t get requests very often, but we also book trains.”

Maureen said those wanting to cruise can often get great deals by booking up to a year in advance. She said some cruise lines will continue to drop the price as the departure date draws closer.

“Traveling on the spur of the moment can also result in good discounts, but you have to be careful.” She said too close might mean you don’t get to go.

She said planning trips should be done in the off season. It ensures placement and sometimes discounts.

“Some cruise lines offer perks for clients who have traveled with them before.”

Van added, “If someone travels and books enough cruises, the discounts are well worth it.

There are “all sorts of avenues for planning trips and vacations. We know the ins and outs,” said Maureen.

All Travel & Cruise can be reached via email at mavarnee@yahoo.com or by calling 775-537-2541.

Maureen said a website is under construction.