Threads Celebrates an Iconic 50 Years in #DTLNK

THREADS, originally Footloose and Fancy, began its journey in 1975.

BY MARCUS FERTIG

A Brief History—This story starts with Jim and Marla McCabe, who were on vacation in California when they ran into Margot Fraser, the woman credited with introducing Birkenstocks to the United States. 

Fraser opened her hatchback trunk and sold Birkenstocks right out of it. The McCabes tried them on and instantly fell in love with them. They took a couple of cases home to introduce to Lincoln; the rest is history.  

After discovering Birkenstock, the McCabes decided to open a store centered around shoes and other types of footwear. Their first location was at 13th and P St, in the lower level of the Douglas Theatre. Two years later, the couple moved the business to 1219 P St, where it resided for the next 45 years. 

In 2002, Jane Stricker, a long-time employee, took ownership of the business. Two years later, she expanded the company by adding a second location in south Lincoln. In 2012, they started selling clothing, adding “THREADS” to the name. The North Face was the first clothing brand to be sold. 

In 2021, the south location closed its doors, allowing full attention to be placed on the downtown location. Shortly after, they moved across the street into a space twice the size, where Jane and her husband, Matt, also owned and renovated apartments above the new location. 

About THREADS—THREADS' style can be best described as a lifestyle outdoor store, carrying brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Teva, and more. “It is really important for us to support environmentally friendly brands,” says owner Jane Stricker. 

Being located downtown, they also sell business attire. “We have a bit of everything here, and it is all amazing quality,” explains Stricker. “There is no specific age group we target, we get customers from all ages who can find something here.” 

With a background in fashion, Jane uses her style preferences to curate the store's offerings. As a result, she has a massive influence on the streetwear in Downtown Lincoln. She explains, “At THREADS, we love the statement piece; for us to order something, we have to be wowed.” 

THREADS has been a staple in Downtown Lincoln for a very long time, not just as a business but as an active participant in the community. It gives back through shoe drives, food drives, and massive clothing donations. 

“It is important for us to be active in our community; we take great pride in being located in Lincoln,” says Stricker. THREADS has clarified that its commitment to the city goes beyond fashion.

Operating a local business never goes without challenges. To make it as long as THREADS - Footloose and Fancy requires resilience. In today's fast-changing world, companies must be able to adapt to any circumstance to succeed. 

Stricker understands what needs to be done to keep her businesses thriving: “I've learned that you can't make excuses when things go wrong; you have to buckle down and continue working hard. It is important to adapt. What helped us get through COVID was launching our website and doing home deliveries.” 

The ups and downs of the world have only toughened Jane and her business. 

50 Years—This year, THREADS - Footloose and Fancy celebrates a remarkable milestone: their 50th anniversary. 

Achieving this is no small accomplishment for any business. “It gives me goosebumps,” says Stricker, “and it's a little hard to talk about. It seems like it started so long ago, but I have done this for so long now that it makes sense. I'm really, really proud. It's taken a lot of hard work from everyone involved.”  

What began as a vision from Jim and Marla McCabe, two people who predicted and contributed to the success of one of the world’s most iconic shoe brands (Birkenstock), has become a staple business in the heart of Downtown Lincoln. 

Through years of hard work and perseverance, the company celebrates an amazing 50 years. As THREADS continues to evolve, one thing is sure: the future looks bright for one of Lincoln’s most stylish and beloved businesses. 

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