KL was launched in 1932 by Hazel Kemmery, and remained small until after the Doohan family bought the business in 1968, doubled the size of the building on Monroe and began exploring other markets, including outerwear and sports apparel for customers worldwide.
After years of contraction in the sewing manufacturing industry, some remaining sewing manufacturers here are seeing a resurgence in sales and employment growth, and others are looking at setting up operations in the Inland Northwest, some industry sources say.
More growth in the sewing manufacturing industry could be on the horizon, says Jim Koon, a commercial real estate broker at the Coeur dโAlene office of NAI Black. Jimย says heโs fielded other inquiries from sewing manufacturers seeking space in the Spokane-Coeur dโAlene area. โIn conversations, they say that sector is growing,โ heย says. โThey need additional space, and they need to hire more employees.โ
2014