In the midst of schlepping around the Mid-Atlantic states as I toured colleges with my daughter last month, I stopped in a Jo-Ann Fabrics superstore in Towson, MD. (For my non-US readers, Jo-Ann's is a big-box chain store where you can buy fabric, patterns, notions and craft supplies.) "Let's check out this Jo-Ann's and see how it compares with ours back home," I said to DD, ignoring her cries of despair. (She'd rather sit through an SAT prep class than tag along with me as I pore through patterns and fondle fabric.)
Cue up the sounds of violins playing as the pearly gates open, because it was like I was entering retail heaven. Not only was this Jo-Ann's huge, being a superstore and all, but it was clean, well-lit and organized. There were no bolts of fabric on the floor and the patterns were filed correctly in drawers that glided open. I nearly wept.
I found out later that this is the very Jo-Ann's that Cidell of Miss Celie's Pants frequents. "You're so lucky!" I wailed to her via email. "My Jo-Ann's looks like a crack den in comparison."
Which brings me to the rant part of this post. I believe that the point of entry for many beginning sewists is buying a pattern. One should be able to look through a current pattern catalog, choose a pattern, then open up a drawer that is correctly labeled by pattern company and pattern numbers, and pull out the desired pattern.
Apparently this is too much to ask of my local Jo-Ann's. As you can see in the photo above, some drawers don't even open. Other drawers are mislabeled, with the Vogue patterns filed under McCalls and vice versa. Even if you are able to locate the pattern you want inventory is likely to be low or nonexistent. (Not to mention that the fabric selection is small and mostly manmade fibers, and the staff appears to have little to no knowledge of fashion sewing, which the message boards on PatternReview.com will back me up on).
I've learned workarounds to deal with my Jo-Ann's. I order most of my patterns online or pick up Simplicity, McCalls and New Look patterns from WalMart, and I get my fabric from the garment district. (I will give my Jo-Ann's credit for having a decent notions section.) But what's a newbie sewist to do when faced with a ramshackle Jo-Ann's like this and unaware that other options exist? Take up knitting instead?
I profess total ignorance about Jo-Ann's real estate and store renovation plans, other than reading that the chain plans to open 19 new locations and remodel 26 stores this year (from a press release dated 2/17/09 on Joann.com). Living in a heavily populated major metropolitan area where retail rents are high, I can understand a corporate strategy of renovating cheaper areas first in this questionable economy.
But on behalf of new and returning sewists in my area and other towns where the local Jo-Ann's leaves something to be desired, I just have to throw this plea out there to any Jo-Ann's management who might be reading this post because it showed up in their Google Alerts: As long as plans to close my Jo-Ann's are not imminent, can you please replace the pattern file cabinets and spruce up the pattern area? Not only will this avoid accidents waiting to happen, like a drawer falling on a toddler, but it will endear Jo-Ann's to fashion sewists. And you know how it works: We come in with the purpose of buying a pattern but walk out with much more, like notions and craft supplies.
Question: I bought some fabulous 1.5" buttons for my peachy-pink "Ladies Who Lunch" jacket. I was planning on getting buttonholes made at Jonathan Embroidery when I'm next in the city, but now I'm wondering if buttonholes that large will go all gape-y. What do you guys think? Skip the buttonholes and just add more snaps?
I'm still working on my silver satin Simplicity 2868 jacket, which I have mixed feelings about so far, but we'll see where the weekend takes me. Speaking of which, have a great weekend everyone!
53 comments:
They closed two JoAnn locations in my town (San Antonio, TX) in order to open up a superstore. At first I was a little bitter about the longer drive but it is SO worth it. I love that store! Hancock's and JoAnn's are the only fabric stores in town, except for a small quilting shop, so I have little choice but to go there. Or shop online, which I do quite a bit of lately. Gosh, sorry your store is so decrepit!
Ha! I almost thought that was a picture from my crack den (... I mean JoAnns!) I worked there before the store was bought by JoAnns and I know how disgusting it is, how little the staff is paid and how understaffed they are. I went last week for the Butterick sale and NONE of the drawers even had numbers and half of them were empty!
I'll frequently go when new patterns are out and they'll be all like, "Oh, no ones gotten around to putting them out yet". At least one lady went back and grabbed the box for me. I am not afraid to ask! I should just go further to the JoAnns Superstore if I'm looking for new patterns (I even know the manager there). I'm lucky to have nice options for fabric locally in Portland, OR... I pretty much avoid JoAnns unless there's pattern or notion sales involved.
While the Joanns near me is far from being a superstore, I give it props whenever I can. It is ALWAYS clean and organized and well stocked. The staff are very helpful and DO know how to sew, particularly some serious quilters. They know their products and always have a smile. So if you are ever in Malone, NY........
Some days I leave JoAnns swearing I will never shop there again. However, it's a quick stop for notions and sometimes there's a good fabric find. I would be broke if I lived near the garment district like you!
I only go to Jo-Ann's for buttons and other notions if the small quilt-oriented store much closer to me doesn't have it. I haven't bought a pattern in person in several years. Or fabric, hardly, either. Allegedly, there is a half-decent Jo-Ann's a bit further up the road than I usually travel, and there is a very large one about 35-40 miles from me, but totally out of my way (read: on the other side of a major interstate and I have to go north past it and get on another major roadway south in order to get to it), and I have no other reason to go to that town, or any town adjacent to it, or even two towns from it.
I go to JoAnns for the cheap patterns and sales on notions. I also buy the kids Halloween costume fabric. Be very careful not to buy any plaid or striped fabric. I guarantee it will not be on grain.
I have never been served by someone at JoAnns who has ANY sewing experience. I guess this is not a required job skill. If I need something I find it myself.
There is one JoAnns near me that is not the cleanest - but not offensive. I do notice that I always have problems with the shopping carts because there is so much thread and yarn wound around the wheels - they no longer turn. They also recently built a super size JoAnns not too far from my house. The store is very clean. It has about the same amount of fabric as the regular JoAnns and triple the amount of crafts. No natural fabrics outside of cotton and a couple wool blends.
I just found your blog through my Google Reader suggestions. The Towson store is my local store! I'll have to make sure to go back and buy patterns there once I finally get a machine.
There aren't enough employees in most of the Jo's to keep the stores as they should be. I've worked in independent fabric stores, and know, first hand, just how much work there is to keeping a store neat and well stocked. Not enough employees equals cluttered store.
I seldom go to JoAnn's except when I hit G Street (patterns and notions, what can I say?). It's a nice store. Oh and the one near my son. Also nice. The one at Woodbridge, VA is a dump, like you describe yours. Hancock's OTOH is just 5 minutes away and too convient to ignore. I buy lots of notions and some fabrics (usually quilting and on sale) from them. They're nice and decently knowledgable. And I really want them to survive.
I frequent my JoAnn Etc stores where I live for great notions and the great Vogue/Butterick/Simplicity sales. I put the sale dates on my calendar so I can get there early. So far all the patterns I need have been in.
BUT I do not buy fabric there, only muslin or costume fabric AND the stores are FREEZING. The sales help are wearing turtlenecks over their cuddle duds, under their long sleeve shirts and still look cold. Hancocks are few and far between here and they don't advertise as well as JoAnn's. I prefer online purchasing more and more.......
No Jo-Ann's here but we do have Spotlight. I have not yet been able to get any pattern in my size when on sale! And we don't have self serve. We have to go up to a counter and hope there is a staff member there to go and have a look for you. That is why I am sticking to my BWOF for now!
Oh I could go on and on about JoAnn. It's even worse when you're a teacher and you try to have your students buy their supplies and the JoAnn either doesn't have what they need or the employees substitute things without your knowledge or permission. Grrr....
I lurv my Joanns for notions and clearance items. Plus, it just about always has what I need when I run out of lining at 8 a.m. They carry Bemberg too! I've been to some bad ones, so I don't complain about mine. Here's hoping you have more reasons to visit the Towson spot!
This past fall and winter, the two Jo-Ann's near me were renovated, and they replaced the pattern cabinets (as well as reorganizing the fabric cutting location). The new pattern cabinets are great--the drawers slide like they are on ice, which is useful because you use them a lot ore. In one store, the re-stocker got tired: there are three starting places for the Simplicity patterns: the older ones (pre-renovation?); the more recent ones (post-renovation); and the I-don't-understand-this-system-but-I'm-looking-here-anyway section.
And in the other store, the most of the pattern cabinets are labeled with ''Simplicity" instead of with "Butterick." Or "McCalls." On the other hand, they are nice stores because if I don't see the thread or zippers that I need the display case, I just help myself and open the drawers in the bottom of the case. The staff don't stop me and I try to be discreet about it (e.g. I don't let toddlers' watch--I don't want them to explore on their own), as well as neat.
Ooooh, I said rants are fun, and boy are they!
I voted in the poll, "actually, I live there" since there wasn't a category down. I go about once every two weeks, coupons in hand [from the mailer and the newspaper], and stock up on basics like muslin, zippers and thread. My local JoAnn is nowhere near as bad as yours, being a fairly new superstore (Fremont, CA).
The old location was a horror, much as you describe, but the new one is much improved.
Still not much fabric for serious garment sewists, though. I buy my real fabric off the internet or from Stone Mountain & Daughters in Berkeley, a half hour drive plus from where I live. I pay about a dollar a yard more for vastly superior fabric.
And I do buy off the internet, but it's been hit or miss. The sites that offer swatching are too rich for my blood - I need fabric in the under $10/yard range.
There are two JoAnns by where I live, and they are both clean and fairly well stocked. The thing that drives me totally crazy about them is the fact that they are not very well staffed and waiting in the cutting line can be excruciating. 20 minutes of hell on earth. My husband waits for me in the car and can see me waiting in line. I can see him laughing and laughing.
I think the Aussie version of Jo Anns must be Spotlight - where fabric shopping is not the pleasure it was in my younger days of independent fabric stores. Anyway, I've never been to a sewing shop and helped myself to the pattern drawers - we have to write down our number, brand and size and the assistant gets it for us ... never thought that we were so civilised!!!
Now that I get McVoguerick patterns through Club BMV, the only reason I got to Joann is for Simplicity sales. Rarely, at that! I'm willing to pony up a little more cash at the indie shops to pay for a nicer shopping atmosphere.
I have a JoAnn Superstore about 15 minutes away. I must say, it's one of the nicer JoAnn stores. I don't buy too much fabric there, but I have found a few useful pieces. I'm going to (Philadelphia's) little fabric district, Fabric Row, more often these days. Usually, I buy my fabric from Fabric Row and buy everything else from JoAnn.
I hear you! It makes me angry just walking into my local JoAnn's... now I just shop online!
I HATE the craft store with no name...I refuse to let it's name pass my lips! I would buy a pattern or piece of fabric from a crack dealer on the street before stepping over its threshold EVER again. The only reason I haven't called them out on my blog is because that is the ONLY place that some sewists have to go especially since Wal-Marts got rid of the sewing departments in most of their stores.
I thank God every day that Club BMV came into existence and that I can buy Simplicity patterns online too. And even though I'm close to the garment district I still shop online ALOT...cause what I'm buying online would never darken the aisles of the craft store that I will not name!!!
Did I mention that I HATE them!!!
I'm also lucky to have a Joann's superstore in my area. I buy all my big 4 patterns there and my notions. They carry Bemberg lining and occasionally nice fabric, like the rayon knit I recently found. The store is clean and organized, although freezing...
The nearest JoAnn's is in Cool Springs, TN, about two hours from my house and I suppose I stop there about twice a year. There's a very nice JoAnn's superstore (in which fabric is the FIRST thing one sees when walking in the front door and at which I have actually purchased silk/lycra charmeuse!) in Duluth, GA, where the Atlanta Sewing Expo is held, so when I visit the Expo I always manage to swing by the Duluth JA. I've visited a couple of JoAnn's in the Indianapolis area when I'm home visiting my folks, but that's it. For JoAnn's...maybe 5 times a year?
Hancock's actually has two stores in my town; one of them is about 2.5 miles away. I'd guess I'm in there about twice a month. They've both been recently remodeled, so they look very nice, but I'm still in the process of re-learning where everything is. And I wish there wasn't as much poly fleece as there is fashion fabric. But it's good for quick notions pick-ups/pattern sales. I even *occasionally* find a nice piece of fabric or two there. ;)
North of Chicago, we have the same depressing Joanns like you. My kids hate, I mean hate, going in there. It is so depressing and boring! Now I know of 3 other Joanns in the Chicago area, they are all spectacular, clean, and huge! They offer classes and have a knowledgeable staff. I keep thinking that they are closing the one close to us. I only go to Joanns for coupons on notions and sale patterns. I usually go to Vogue Fabrics which is very close to our house. I agree with you, there is no way my daughters would want to learn to sew if our "creepy" (my kids' words) Joanns's was the only thing available. We do have a great Hancock's but I feel like they are becoming more for the quilters.
I'm always up for a rant about Joann's! ;)
I consider myself lucky to have a superstore near my house (in my small town, the only super-thing I expect is a super-Walmart), but sometimes it drives me crazy. My main complaint is low staffing numbers - at busy times (ex. Sat am) they typically only have 2 or 3 working, which guarantees long lines at the cutting table AND at the registers and heaven help you if you want special help with something!
Mine is bad too. The patterns are never in the drawers that the outside indicates, some of the drawers do not open and generally the help knows nothing. They always seem to be out of the thread color I want, same with zippers. I started buying thread from Atlanta Thread going through my stash and matching all the colors so that I could get the 30 spools discount(I bought the chart)I bought a ton of zippers in NYC in all my bottom colors and size. Every time I actually go into Joann's and look at patterns, I invariably have to bite my tongue when I hear the help give bad or incorrect advice to some poor would be sewist. I tend to only go in when the patterns are on sale and even then, I buy more when they are on sale on line and sew more BWOF. They do not carry the glass head steel pins that I prefer so I go to the local Brother dealer for that.
I'll drive an hour to Rockville Center to get buttons except for plain flat buttons for the inside of pants. I try to frequent Joann's as little as possible. That doesn't even count the amount of time one has to spend on line there.
On the button, you're pushing the size limit for a straight buttonhole. A keyhole may work.
Like you, I'm dismayed at the limited choice for sewers. In the Phoenix area, Joann's is the only choice. We lost our Hancock stores a few years ago, and there is only one independent fabric store on the far east side - 65 miles away. In the Joann's we do have, they are clean and bright, but, the fashion fabric selection is abismal. It keeps getting crowded out by 1000's of bolts of fleece. This is Phoenix! No one wears fleece here. I guess the buyers just don't get it.
I have been to just such a store in Ft. Myers, FL. Angels were singing as I entered the clean, bright and welcoming JoAnn's Etc. where I bought many pieces of beautiful, high-quality fabric. I had always hoped that they'd remodel my store which, like yours, resembles a crack den. I now only dash in there for the occasional pattern which is, of course, always misfiled.
I probably go to the same JoAnn's as you do. The pattern drawers that a jammed closed etc. are all too familiar. I have also gone to the Walmart for kwik sew patterns and I have even purchased $1.00 yd fabric that rivaled anything at JoAnn's and turned out to be terrific fabric. I use JoAnn's for notions but lately I bring a coupon with me and leave not using it, or just give it away. I think my notions stash if full :O)
The Joann's near me is actually in the process of liquidating and a new Joann's (not quite a super store, the next step down) will be opening in May. I'm very excited about that because the current store is a dump and the only option I have to get fabric locally. The new manager has done a way better job keeping it tidy, but the carpet is ancient and the building is falling apart (not to mention the parking situation is awful). The building housed Fabricland before Joann's bought it out so they've needed an update for at least 10+ years. Thankfully they patterns are always organized and well stocked as is the notion wall. :-) My biggest beef is they only usually have one person cutting fabric. Hopefully that will change with the new store.
Jo-ann's, yeah, well that's all I've got. The two closest ones are 20 minutes from my house. Other than that, I have to drive 45 minutes to Martin's, which now does not carry nearly what they used to for apparel fabric or notions. Fabric Fix is about 5 minutes away from Martin's, but it is hit or miss there. Other than that it is online shopping for me. Annoying at best.
My experience is similar to many, but at least there are a couple of Joann's around. If not, I'd be relying completely on mail order.
I'm very lucky, both my Joann's are in good shape. Although, they've both been around forever, they manage to keep both locations neat, tidy, and clean. Both my Hancock Fabrics were recently remodeled and I'm crossing my fingers they will do the same with Joann's. I tend to go in spurts when I shop there, they are great for basics, patterns, and the occasional 'treasure'.
Only one Joann's within an hours drive of me. No Hancocks. They closed them all down. The Joann's is ok , but not great. Lots of stuff for quilters, but not too much choice otherwise. However, since it is really the only place to shop I don't fuss too much. I go to Walmart for the things I can get there. Not much, I'm sad to say. There is a small independent fabric store near me. It has a decent selection of fabric, but no patterns, except OLD ones. I like some of the old ones, though. I haven't tried buying online yet, but I guess I need to start.
I absolutely hate going to Joann's! I go for the pattern sales and the notions I have to have. All the pattern drawers open but hey, there are no patterns in the drawers. For awhile I thought I needed to go back to school and brush up on counting and then I realized that their numbers are out of sequence. A huge relief - it wasn't me! And often times I take an overnight bag because I never know how long I'll have to wait in line to be checked out. Customer Service? What is that?
Thanks for visiting my blog. I have noticed that the patterns are not in the correctly labeled drawers at my Hancock's. That is another item I can add to my rant. Also, Hancock's has no competition in it's town. The Joann's there closed several years ago.
I lived in NYC until 1994 when I moved to Cleveland oh. Never hear of Joann's or Hancock till then. Of course it was culture shock for someone who shopped the garment district, orchard street and downtown brooklyn, when it came time to buy fabric, notions and patterns here in Ohio. Hancock moved out of Cleveland a few years ago. I do missed them because their selection of fabrics was better then Joann's. I shop Joann's for the sales and sometime I will find fabric that's really nice and really cheap. The one that I shop at is a nice one. The only problem that I have with Joann's is when they have a 60% off sale on fabric, I think they take the good stuff to storage and wait for the sale to end.
Oh this is one of the few things that had me truly sad about moving back into a big city. I've been so disappointed with the Joanns that I've been to in Chicago. I'll trek out to one in the 'burbs if I have to but it's such a pain if I want to grab a few notions or something. I haven't discovered any good brick and mortar fabric or notions shops here yet and get most of my fabrics and things online.
The Joann's in the Central Florida area are, for the most part, clean. They are well-stocked, too, assuming you have no interest in good garment fabric. (Is it a bad sign when the assorted bolts in the clearance area are more interesting than the more carefully arranged "real" fabric?) The pattern drawers, however, vary from obsessive-compulsive-orderly at some stores to scavenger-hunt-chaos at others. A few weeks ago, I walked around in circles so many times I needed anti-nausea meds when I was done, and I never did find an entire missing Simplicity drawer. Combined with all the walking, the deep-knee bends did my butt and thighs a world of good, though.
flanthrower - have you tried Vogue fabrics in Chicago? I'm not hugely familiar with Chicago, but I know they have 2 stores there, one in Evanston and one in the downtown.
JoAnn's and I have that love-hate thing going on. I love the fact that I live within walking distance of a small store (and people actually walk in my community!) for those notion and basics purchases. The other location is a superstore about 15 minutes away. I hate the fact that it's essentially the only fully stocked (patterns, notions, and fabric) fabric store.
Oh, and about that button question. I say use the buttons and the snaps (I think Brigitte did this recently) and forget the buttonhole.
I have a hate on for them. I'll spare the rant, but I just discovered a mom and pop close to a Hancock's (that while the ladies and I will part ways on what I find fashionable and they don't) are generally helpful and know what they have and how to use it. Both stores will order anything I need and have it in 3 days (and in one case I desperately needed a matching zipper and the Mom and Pop gave me one out of their stash. Get THAT kind of understanding from JoAnns), so I never have to go in again.
I used to go just for the patterns, but even those are so uninspiring anymore I see no reason to step foot into one. My experience is based on the ones in the Dallas area, admittedly, and I've moved to Tennessee, but I see no need to even bother with the ones here since they were so awful in Texas and the stores I've been to in OK.
Hi Lindsey. There's a Jo-Ann's and a G Street (G Street is a local Washington, DC area store) right across from my job. In all honesty, I do NOT like that Jo-Ann's. I am a beginner. Their notions and crafts are pretty decent, however, it's junky, and it's hard to get help from the staff. I always get "pointed" to a particular area. I was recently at this same Jo-Ann's and needed some polyfill for a pillow and another store in that same mall recommended this Jo-Ann's. I guess they assume that everyone is an advanced sewist. I was "pointed" to that section and as the polyfill was beyond my reach, as I attempted to reach for it THEN someone standing there (never asking can I help you, nothing) tells me "You can't go in there." I asked her was she an employee as I saw no badge. She said yes. Then I just told her that I tried several times to get help and was 'pointed' to this area and that you all gave me no choice.
This one is not very helpful nor customer oriented (I won't name the specific location)...and this isn't the first time where I expereinced customer "no-service" from them.
I hope that the others in our area aren't as such. I've only gone to that one maybe twice since this year since they're within walking distance from the job.
Walmart, here I come (went last weekend and will go back)!
Thanks for your observations.
We don't have a Jo-Ann's, but we do have a Fabricland.
wow, I would have loved to meet you! I go to that JoAnns frequenlty..it's about 20 mins from me. We actually have two that are really great in Columbia, Md and the one in Towson.
Both stores are kept pretty well!
We have ETC stores in our area- what they call their super stores. They are far from super- but they are better than some of the indie fabric stores in town. Yes, the patterns are in mismarked drawers. But our drawers all open and our cabinets don't fall over. They have great notions and if it is missing, our store will order it. They even call you when your order is in. They have reduced the amount of fashion fabric available and concentrate on quilting and home dec. And fleece- lots of fleece! But I have managed to find a few good pieces lately and made some nice stuff.
It is the only place I can get neeedles that work on my Viking. There is a Viking dealer in the store and they switched to Klase needles. They don't work on my Viking and I get Schmetz needles from Joanns. Our Pfaff dealer sells some bizarre needle that also doesn't work. I know I can order needles online. But sometimes you want them fast!
We have some independent stores that carry only what the owner likes. Fabrics in colors that suit her and projects that she wants to make. Some of the indie stores don't do 50% off patterns. That makes it pricey to get what you want.
I worked at our Joanns a few years back in between jobs. I was the only fashion sewer in the store. They are all trained to ask what you are making- but most can't help if you have a question. They still send customers with questions to me when I shop in the store. A few years back they cut everyone's hours so they wouldn't have benefits any more. Saved the sotre $ but they lost some knowledgeable staff.
O.K. I totally understand about your JoAnn's... we have one that used to be just like that! They spruced it up a bit... and finally got some people that know a bit more what they are talking about when it comes to sewing. I worked at Hancocks for a while and of course there are a lot of faults for their stores also... (but I did get a discount which helped even things out!) but funny thing, I went to JoAnn's one time (while I worked at Hancock's) and was looking for something... I think it was a type of interfacing (we carried but were out at that moment)I asked one of the gals there if they had any. What's it used for, was my question to my question. She didn't even know what interfacing was! Sad but true... then on a lark... (thinking lets see if they care at all about their customers!) I asked if there were any other fabric stores in the area... all 3 gals said... No! Ahem, Hancocks was around the corner and down the street! And mind you... this ain't the "big city"! So, apparently they don't care all that much! We on the other hand at Hancocks (at least while I worked there!) made sure that if we didn't have what someone needed would call another branch of the store or even recommend the go check out JoAnn's. Most of the time people would say... No Thanks... they are never any help over there! And that the store was so dark and disorganized that they hated to go!
On a lighter note... in the other direction from my house... we got a brand new JoAnn's about 2 years back! Probably like the one you mentioned! Fabric Heaven and lots of other things to boot!
Good thing you have all the wonderful shops to check out fabric in in town. I don't know how people can shop for fabric all the time without touching!
Just curious - when I looked up the JoAnns in Maryland I didn't see the one you were writing about - did you mean the one in Columbia? - I'm living temporarily in northern VA and there are NONE here! (in MI they're everywhere) so looking for one not too far away as I am sort of an addict for the crafts and notions.
Crack den, yep that's my local JoAnn's. Minimal staff and loads of merchandise on the floor playing with the dust bunnies. I stopped sewing for most of last year out of frustration. I need to drive at least 40 minutes to find a better JoAnn's and further to find another fabric store. I've decided to try online shopping.
-Iris
I am fortunate to live near a decent JoAnns and I live in Chandler, AZ (the Phoenix metro area). I've noticed a trend in the last 2-3 years of the smaller stores being closed (usually really old and run-down) and more superstores being opened in centrally located areas. So I have my pick of different ones when I need them. They closed down the Hancock stores near me, so I am left with JoAnns for the most part.
I mainly go for pattern or notion sales. The drawers are decently organized and I can usually find what I'm looking for. The staff is pretty minimal but most of the ones I've talked to are very nice and even occasionally show interest in what I'm doing when I have my fabric cut out. I have learned to avoid going on the weekends b/c of the long lines. I did go to one JoAanns in the area which was closer to work and it was pretty bad. The patterns were not well organized and even torn and misfiled. The cutting table was staffed by one person who wasn't very nice. So it's hit or miss here as well.
I work near a Wal-Mart that still has its sewing dept so I'll rush over there when I absolutely cannot get to JoAnns. I will go to indie stories for better quality fabric when I need to and also shop online.
I'm late to the party but yeah, not a fan of Jo-Ann. I go to the one near the G Street in Northern Virginia. The pattern drawers, I will say, or well-organized and well-stocked and they usually have the notions I need but the fabric is just AWFUL. 100% polyester as far as the eye can see. 1/3 of the garment fabric area is fleece, 1/3 is the Casa Collection of hideous bridesmaid polyester, and the other 1/3 even worse. They didn't used to carry any knits but now they have a few bolts of rayon knit...for $12/yd. Even with a coupon, it's too much to pay for the quality. I buy patterns and notions there, but that's it.
I have a love/hate relationship with Joanns. Sometimes they are the only place to get what I need. And they do have patterns on sale a lot. Yesterday I got McCalls for $1.99 and Vogues for $3.99. But then the fabric can be horrible. I am tired of the huge fleece display that overtakes the store for 9 months of the year. (And I teach fleece- never thought I'd say that.) The markdown fabric is still not marked down enough- considering the quality is poor. They have sized down their button and trim department and added wired ribbon for home dec. Ours also has lots of kids arts and crafts.
Mine is relatively clean and it is the only place I can get needles and thread. I will tell you that they also cut back on the cleaning staff to save $. Janitors don't come in as regularly as they used to. Clerks are assigned to clean the restrooms and it often doesn't get done.
It is a store that has potential and doesn't live up to it. They could be so good and they choose to go the other way- to make $. Frustrating, especially when they are the only store in town. Our only other option is quilt stores or home dec stores and 1 bridal.
I can't wait to hear Lindsay wrap this up.
At least you get to look at the pattern before you buy it, AND you get $0.99 sales. :) Try queuing for 30mins only to find they don't have the pattern in your size. We don't get to touch the pattern until we've handed over our money. There's always a bright side. :)
Our Jo-Ann's in Butler, PA stinks too. I always leave there swearing I'll never go back. I do still go when I absolutely have to, but not often. Their location is the pits. It's in a small plaza with only a K-mart store, a Dollar store, and an auto parts store. Lots of parking available though! lol
Like most of you have said, the patterns are not where they are supposed to be. They only have a few pattern books so you have to wait to see one.
They are understaffed, even on weekends! Waiting in line at the cutting table and the cash register is horrible. Sometimes they only have one person to cover both and she has to run back and forth.
They are so stingy that they won't cut a fraction of an inch of extra fabric to make up for what you lose from them cutting the poorly folded fabric. That's probably my biggest pet peeve. I hate getting home and finding out that after I fold the fabric correctly I am short several inches.
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