Hancock Fabrics Bankruptcy
Saturday March 24, 2007
Hancock Fabrics announced Wednesday that it will be closing 104 stores... in addition to the 30 that were announced in February.
- Hancock Fabrics To Close 104 Stores
- Hancock Fabrics Files For Bankruptcy
- Fox 23 - Hancock Fabrics files for bankruptcy protection
- Hancock Store Closing List
Given the popular return to sewing, I find all the closings and Wal-Mart's decision to stop carrying fabric very questionable.
I don't have a local Hancock Fabrics so, I'm hoping to hear from many of you in the comments. I know that Hancock Fabrics recently did major renovations. Did they ask the general public what they were looking for before making their renovations? Were the renovations they made a "turn off"? Is it they don't know that the same fabric is not going to sell in every location? Is it that they are not consumer friendly? Are you going to be effected? Sound off in the comments.
Comments
That’s terrible! I just started learning how to sew and wasn’t able to find any cotton interlock fabrics at Joann’s, but I just found out that the nearby Hancock carries good 100% cotton fabrics. I guess it will be closing now (although it wasn’t one of the original 30). You shouldn’t have to go to the big cities just to find decent fabrics!
The Hancocks by me renovated by filling the stores with home decorating items and yarn without wool content. The selection of fabric was dramatically decreased. They do have a nice selection of polyester knit it big honking prints if you need to create a Halloween outfit to take you back to the 70’s. Personally, I survived the 70’s and have no desire to wear those fabrcs again.
I’m really saddened by the closing of our store. A friend of mine works at the local Hancock’s.
Plus, our sewing guild (American Sewing Guild) evening group meets at the store. :S I like the people that run the store and the people that work there.
Them closing stores is another hit on those of us that love sewing… and those learning to sew. We will survive though! There are a LOT of online fabric sources and I’m going to built a new part on the site that will give fabric types a name… I used to shop totally by the feel of fabric and I know others do also.
As soon as I can gather sample and get photo’s made I’ll get them up. Then we will have a reference for online line shopping for fabric.
Sound good?
I just love Hancock Fabrics so I was very upset to hear that the store closest to me is closing. The only other store in my area is Joann Fabrics and I think that they are overpriced and their selection isn’t very good. Needless to say, I’m at Hancock almost everyday stocking up on fabric.
If they close 134 of their stores now, you can probably figure that all of them will go in the future.
I am very disdurbed by the cloing of these two fabric places, as I thought them to be the best in fabric and price. I guess Joannes will make all the money and fame. Shame on Hancock Fabrics and walmart for stranding us sewers
I was very disapointed when the wal-mart super center removed the fabric/sewing section!–The only source of fabric in a county with a population of about 50,000! I thought it was nuts! Now the closest source of fabrics in any given direction is about 45 minutes to an hour away….this is just one of many strange and disapointing moves by wal-mart lately. If you live near one, Hobby Lobby has a good fabric selection at fair prices-with good sales on a regular basis.
One Hancock in my area closed in November, and now the other is closing, too. This Hancocks moved from a small store with little parking to a larger store with a lot of parking. It has a good variety of fabrics — quilting, apparel, decorating and lots of fleece. However, the store was always disorganized and slightly shabby (a little dusting never hurts!). But it carried different lines than JoAnn’s, which gave us a good variety to choose from. I will be sorry to see it go. One question — if they have $214 million in assets and $161 million in debts, why are they filing bankruptcy? I thought you only did that if your debts were larger than your assets.
I’m very sorry to see my store closing in St.Louis,Mo.(Hancocks).The employees in the Overland hancocks are tremendous. I hope they are able to keep their jobs at other stores. The store manager really made a big difference in making it a wonderful store. Phyllis D. jackson
I am disappointed to learn that they are closing those stores. I shop them regularily to avoid those long cut lines in Joanns. It is an older store, but still my favorite. The people there are very friendly and helpful. The home decorating stuff can leave the store as far as I am concerned.
I live in the Sacramento CA area and so far the oldest store is the one that I go to in Roseville and it has notified its customers it is closing in two months. No notice of the bankruptcy but maybe they can’t say that. I find quilting materials and quilt projects here that I can find no where else. I am going to stock up now while I can. If we all shop “til we drop” this might help Hancocks.
Now that the Hanock store within 10 miles of me is closing & Walmart downsizing their fabric line, sewers in this area are pretty much left stranded. The home furnishings dept in Hancock’s (especially the furniture) was never of much interest to me but I loved their fabrics assortment. With the nearest JoAnn’s also recently closed, it leaves area sewers with nowhere to shop fabrics now unless we want to drive another 25-40 miles (and with gas prices at their peak and energy conservation being espoused, who needs to do that?). That’s O.K. guys, just let Walmart import some more cheap clothing from China and I guess we don’t need to sew!
I live in Clinton, IA. One of the original 30 stores to be closed. Everything is 50-70% off right now. Im waiting until the very end to stock up. Same with the Wal-Mart here. Less and less of a selection everytime I go there.
I work in a hancock’s in a major metro area they are closing 6 stores in our area and leaving 5 open. really the stores are badly located and there are many customers who will not have a store to go to now. We now have a 2 yard minimum at our store and many customers are angry. If you want things to change customers need to write to the company in droves to let them know how you feel and what you want to see in the store.
I love Hancock Fabrics. The thought of them closing breaks my heart. One store per state is not enough. If they are suffering through bankruptcy, why not bight the bullet and open some of the stores close. Make the fabric and notions more accessable to the public. I can’t see how closing stores puts more money into their pockets, or pays off creditors. Dayton,Oh used to have 5 stores. I know I celebrated in all of them, now we are down to 2 with less fabric. To the powers that be, please reshape and come back stronger. The need is there, the desire is there, all you have to do is supply us with the stores, and we will reward you for your effort. Thanks for considering us.
I live in Mansfield Ohio where we have two Wal Marts. Was told there might possibly be a third. Also, they will be discontinuing fabric. I was also told at the register when I checked out that the Ashland, Ohio store would be carrying fabric due to the large Amish population. Ashland is about seven miles from Mansfield area. Maybe there is still hope?
Iam devastated over the closing of Hancock. There are on-line fabric stores but half the fun of sewing is shopping for fabric. And I can’t imagine buying fabric without feeling it first.
Stores are only concerned in the bottom line (money)not their customers. None of the stores in our area; Hancock, Wal-Mart,etc, have ever ask their customers about the store before renovations, relinement, or done surveys. If they had maybe they still would be in business because they would be catering to the consumer what’s and that would increase the bottom line.
The problem is that no matter how adament we sewers are, there just aren’t enough of us any more. Sewing is becoming a lost art, like many of the other “home arts”. As people move more and more into the information age, all the old fashioned values, morals, habits, hobbies, and activities become more and more rare. If you want to keep your local fabric stores open, start teaching the children, and grandchildren and friends to sew. The stores are filing bankruptcy and removing fabric from their roster because there aren’t enough people buying it. Wal-Mart corporate figure that the fabric department is nearly a dead area. They only close the departments that lose them money. That’s why Lay Away had to go. Hancock is closing the stores with the lowest profit margins, or the lowest traffic. I hate the fact that several of my local stores are closing, but boy do I love the sales!
I agree that the home decor stuff can go. I mean there’s Hobby lobby and such that carries all that stuff. I would much rather be able to find a local source for my coutil rather than buying it on the internet. But having fabric stores on the internet is part of what’s killing all the local shops. Every time I go in to my local store searching for an uncommon fabric, I get asked if I’ve checked the internet. Well, I don’t know about you ladies, but if I have to wait 3 weeks for one item that I can’t finish the product without, I might as well order it all at once. So I’m faced with two choices, shop on the internet for what the stores in my area refuse to carry, or not do the projects I love to wear.
Sorry for the bit of meandering in the post.
I worked at Hancocks a few years ago and complained of outdated garment fabric and was told that our town was 3 years behind in styles. I tried to say we wouldn’t be if we could get the fabric that matched the pattern books.
When the stores went to all the furniture and home dec the sales in our area fell of. but not according to district management.
Another thing they keep fabric until they sell it and it is so old it falls apart when you wash it.
Our Walmart is closing their fabric dept, but Hancock’s 2 stores are not on the closing list yet…I’m sure they will be one of these days soon, because they have more & more furnishings & plastic plants all the time, which I never even look at. The 2 stores in our city are located in high-crime shopping centers, so I can only go when my husband can go with me. Hobby Lobby only has quilting fabrics here; no other types of fabrics. Actually, Hancock’s doesn’t sell the ‘finer’ type fabrics that many people use anyway. We end up going to the internet for that.
In the metro Detroit area, we are down to 3 Hancocks. And I see now from the list, it will be down to 2. The Dearborn store closed last year. While its appearance left something to be desired, I did like their fabrics, their sales help, and closeness to my home. The store always appeared busy to me when I went in. When it closed, I wrote to the president & VP of marketing protesting the closing but NEVER heard a word from ANYONE at Hancock’s headquarters. Now the Livonia store is the closest to my home. It too needs its appearance to be beefed up and is in a bad location. Probably will be next. However the Walmart near me must be keeping the fabric dept open as it has full shelves. And of course, there are several Joanns close to my home & work. But I agree with others that their fabric selection is not that great.
We are lucky in that our Hancock’s are not on the original list. However, they were never my first choice in fabric. Our Joann’s closed about 4 years ago (the closest one now is over 100 miles away). Our Walmart’s have phased out their fabric and our Wonderful Hobby Lobby’s have drastically reduced their fabric they are carrying and have not even received any new shipments in months due to a new buyer (came from Walmart)!! So…..looks like I will learn to relove those fabric that I bought and decided that I really didn’t like or have to go on line to purchase (which I do from time to time).
I don’t depend on a Walmart/Hancock for major fabric purchases. I have a wonderful fabric store who does retail and mail order. It is the most wonderful fabric. When he reduces it I buy..Some times I pay $1-2 dollars/yd. Then I stock up.email me for his website. eproz@nbn.net
The Hancock Fabric in Fort Worth on Hwy 80 as well will close, leaving only one store in Tarrant County and that’s in Hurst. They added home decor and had less fabric but as far as I’m concerned they could have left the store as it was. I hate the long lines to have fabric cut @ JoAnn’s but I guess I’ll go early or stand in line. I really hate to see Hancock close their doors.
I am very upset with Hancock’s!! I’m limited now to JoAnn’s and really don’t like their high prices plus they have too much arts and crafts. I need home dec fabric for window treatments, etc. Hancock had some great fabric and prices. It stinks that our area will be stuck with JoAnn’s. I probably will end up driving about 50 minutes to other fabric stores. Maybe Hancock’s should have stayed at the old locations and just cleaned it up a little. Forget the decorations and offer products people want — FABRIC / TRIMS.
How sad for us sewers and crafters. Just when we read that sewing is making a come-back in the US, we begin losing resorces. We in Pensacola have a couple of esorces, but others, my daughter for example, live in small towns with few or no other places to go. And the poor employees! So many in the store here are seniors, and only worked because of need! There was no warning, and their future is very uncertain. But we know that the dollar is the ruler by which big business makes it decisions. Di in Pensacola
shame on Wal-Mart and Hancock Fabric dept for closing. I belong to American Sewing Guild, and we meet at the Hancock Fabric store once a month. It was an enjoyment to shop before and after the meeting. Hancock should not have increased the furnishings that they sell. They should have concentrated on the fabric.
It is a shame that Hancock’s closed in our area. It was 22 miles away but I still went there about once a month. You can’t buy material without feeling it !! They had much nicer fabric than Jo-Ann’s. I guess it will be JO-Ann’s from now on.What a bummer.
Sorry, to hear antoher fabric store will be closing. I went to a Hancock Fabric store in my area once and even though the fabric selection was limited I did manage to find two fabrics I liked. I only wanted to buy 1 yard but was forced to purchase what was left on the bolt 3/4 yard more or the salesgirl said I could not purchase the fabric. That was the last time I went there. If this is the policy at everystore then I can see why they have to close some stores. I am fortunate that I live close to several other fabric stores. If you have never been to a Tall Mouse store for fabric you should find one in your area. The fabric selection is a set up from Joann fabric, but a little pricey when not on sale.
Good luck to all of the sewers who do not have the option of going anywhere else but Hancock Fabric.
Recently, the hancock’s in Northeast Phila closed. I don’t buy a lot of fabric, but I loved their selection. And the service was great! Now, I have to go to Jo-Ann’s, Etc-which has more “etc” than fabrics. There are a few other fabric shops not too far from me, but many are quilting fabics only. Fortuntely, I live near Philadelphia, which has a “fabric row” with more fabric that you could ever use. But I know mayn are not that lucky.
I just found out Hancocks was closing! Here in my area of Ga., we have lost Hobby Lobby and JoAnn’s. Hancocks is our only store. I do swedish embroidery on Huck Toweling, and Hancocks and JoAnn’s is the only local suppliers. Hancocks has the best price and is 20 miles closer than JoAnn’s other store. The powers that be need to get in touch with their customers and provide what they are buying. This will improve their sales and keep them out of debt and our many stores open, and many good people working. I guess that is old school thinking; not many companys care what the customers think. It seems they think, close it, move it, change it, the people will have to take what we give them. I am tired of settling for something I don’t like just because it is the only option I have. We need these fabric stores. How are we going to have creative, hands on, people of the future if we cannot supply them the raw material to creat with? How am I going to continue to create my swedish weave towels without the material? I am devestated!
We are also loosing our Hancock’s in Arkansas. Now its Little Rock (an hour away) or Memphis (3 hours) and maybe Jackson (3 houors). With WMart’s discontinuing fabric, etc; we now have absolutely no where to buy fabric, or thread, buttons, even the basic supplies. Our economy is not the greatest, but so many people in this area (Delta) depend on places like WM and Hancocks to stretch their budgets and also have nice new wardrobes.
If Hancock’s wants to sell home interior, they should organize another company under another name. Most of the Executives would not have a clue what fabric the sewing public wants or needs and couldn’t identify between silk and fleece.
Disgusted isn’t even close – Pure D. MAD at being held hostage by these people. Maybe we should start thinking of establishing more independent stores again; especially since we know that the hancocks and joanns are not going to make any effort to supply our needs.
We lost our Joann fabric in Lincoln, Il. when Wal mart moved in. Walmart then built a bigger store and several years passed before now they recently built a supercenter. Of course, there is no fabric there and Joanns is gone. I planned on driving the hr away to Hancocks for fabric and even THAT is closing eventually. Are the industry giants attempting to do away with our creativeness and thriftiness by FORCING us to have no alternative but purchase from them? I’ll wear fashionable newsprint or brown paper bags first!!!
Please do not close the Fort Collins, Colorado Hancock store. Now that Wal-Mart is closing their fabric department, you will have less competition if you keep a store in this area. The prices are reasonable for someone who is teaching a granddaughter to sew and we can buy various sewing aids and different fabrics for making crafts as well as quilts. Jo-Ann’s Fabrics should just change their name to “Junk from China”. We really need your Hancock store here because shoppers drive from smaller cities in Wyoming and Nebraska to shop and closing will create a hardship for the average customer.
Oh. I am so disappointed in Hancock’s for closing stories all across the country. We have two in Baton Rouge La. and I know for sure one will be closed. I really don,think the exec. know how much money we spend in the material department,(not in home interior)I ask you to reconsider your decision. Ashley
I am disappointed that Hancock’s is closing stores. IT is my understanding that the store in southeast Wichita is not on the list of stores to be closed.
I like the Hancock’s in Wichita. I do not beleive that lack of competition in the marketplace is good for the consumer. I guess that I shall be forced to look at on line fabric shops for fashion fabric. : (
It has been confirmed that there will no longer be competition for “JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts” in the state of Michigan! All of the Michigan stores are closing; more increases in the unemployment numbers for this state. Over the years the so called “fabric stores” have turned into craft stores; merchandise variety is great but when the craft floor space is 85% of the store there isn’t much choice in the fabric selections if they are going to have a diversity of fabric types.
I do suspect that the bankruptcy issue will cause a turn around of Hancock Fabrics or there will be a buyout of the company. I expect to see a mass market fabric retailer reappear in the not too distant future. In the meantime I will continue to support the only independent fabric store in Royal Oak, MI. I refuse to purchase fabrics from the other mass market fabric retailer; the majority of their fabrics are seconds and the employees do not know anything about sewing. There was a time when an interested sewer could enter a fabric store to be greeted by enthusiastic employees that would assist in expanding the customers’ sewing ideas; I know I used to manage one of those stores.
If you have a locally owned and operated fabric retailer in your area please support their business; otherwise our only choices will be online merchants.
I was just in the Peoria IL store ane they, too, are closing. I was unable to find fabric for granddaughter’s Easter dresses. Disappointment, as they do carry a huge selection of buttons, etc. They also have nice trims. I am forced to go to JoAnn fabrics, and am also disappointed sometimes there when looking for certain fabrics, trims, etc. The Peoria store of Hancocks was not a very clean and neat store, but could find unusual items not found elsewhere. I will miss Hancock’s greatly! Jan
I have a very close relative who works in one of the largest Hancock in the nation. They have a wonderful selection of fabrics, trims, etc., although not as good as it used to be. She said the term bankruptcy is not accurate — they are filing chapter 11 for reorganization. Instead of all the complaining on this website, I think it would be helpful to contact Hancockfabrics.com directly and voice your concerns to them. THEY DO LISTEN. For example, the store that I shop at discontinued ALL of their untrasuede when they remodeled last year. Many of us customers wrote and complained and they have brought back a lot of it — not all of it yet, but we hope that will follow. It would have been good for them to have surveys of the customers and for them to have abided by them. Also they have extremely knowledgeable sales people who could have told them what to do, but I heard their new CEO is a former Joann’s exec. and she thinks she knows it ALL. Their trouble didn’t start til she took over. Maybe the stockholders need to hire back some of the old Hancock (loyal) executives, or even Minnesota Fabrics executives. They cared about the company, the customers and the employees. So Sewers, one and all, bombard Hancockfabrics.com with what you have been saying here — especially that you have relied on Hancock to carry the fine fabrics that you want to use in your sewing, you don’t need all the “stuff” — plastic plants, knick knacks, tons of craft stuff (Joann’s can handle that end of it), a candy store, etc. INSTEAD build the great fabric selection up again, be sure notions are always available. Let the stores carry more understock so that when we need a couple of bolts of (especially bridal fabrics, cottons, muslin, etc.) we don’t have to wait two weeks for it to come in. They need to carry the yarns that people are asking for as well. Lots of wool that will felt (they do have more than they did a couple of years ago), etc. Their bridal area needs to be built back up as there are many of us who do bridal sewing. I’ve been told that lace is hard to come by because many of the lace companies have gone out of business because for years wedding gowns were PLAIN, and it really hurt the lace companies. But now it is back in, so Hancock should be finding new sources for it. Also they need to carry the headpieces that they used to before Milliners’ Supply went out of business. I know that is where they got their headpieces (beautiful tiaras, etc. that were priced well below the bridal shops and pretty much exactly the same as theirs. Also metal combs, etc. So people — pick your passion and let Hancockfabrics.com hear from you — let them know that you ARE PASSIONATE about sewing and want them to build up FINE FABRICS of all kinds (let them know which kinds you are most interested in). Maybe then they will stop “shooting themselves in the foot”. Ask them to reopen stores in your area. Tell them how you want them to be!!!! Come on people, don’t just complain to each other — tell HANCOCKFABRICS.COM!!!!
Here on the south side of metro Atlanta, Jo-Ann Fabric closed in late Jan. Hobby Lobby closed without warning 3 weeks ago.
Hancocks is a very shabby store with not too many customers. I am sure it will be closed. Wal-Mart has less fabric than 2 years ago. All of these places were within 4 miles. Now, it will be 15 miles to a Jo-Ann that is mostly crafts. The selection is not the best.
Glad I have lot of fabric and accessories laid by. I’ll be retiring in 2 years and will have time to sew. But, where will I replinish my stock?
I am so upset at the fact that wallmart is closing their fabric department , and now our Hancocks is closing we will have to drive at least 2 hours to get somewhere to buy fabric that we can afford. what is the problem with these stores. don’t price the fabric so hight and more people will buy your fabric if that is the problem . do not spend so much money on the building as this is not what we are looking for. come on leave our fabric stores along. we need to sew .I am in Meridian, ms and when Hancocks leaves that is it.for us. i do not know what us elderly will do. shame on you people
Ilive right now in Juction City,Ks. and there is one Walmart store(superstore)The fabric selection is sparse in the way of attractive cotton fabrics to sew for ones self and the home. What is even more discouraging is that there are no fabric stores here in Junction City. I have even spoken to the sales clerk for the fabric section to ask the person in charge of ordering fabrics to please have her fill my request for a particular color in cotton for starters, and this was never carried through. Soon I will be moving out of Kansas, and to an area that has fabric stores and better resources, Thank God. Samantha Bedsworth
I was devastated when upon learning that Hancock Fabrics is closing. I have two sources for fabrics, Hancock Fabrics and JoAnn. I shopped mainly at Hancock because JoAnn carryies more craft items and very little fashion fabrics. I am not into crafting so Hancock was my place. I believe Hancock Fabrics may have hurt themselves when they went into all the crafting. Hancock was a store for the fashion seamstress which I am one. I have a hard time processing this for when they close my sewing business closes. I always relied on Hancock Fabrics and I feel just like the staff at the store where I shop who will also lose their jobs.
I urge everyone affected by a Hancock’s closing to send a SNAIL MAIL letter to the company. Write to either or both:
Jane Aggers, President and CEO
Hancock Fabrics, Inc.
1 Fashion Way
Baldwin, MS 38824-8547
AND/OR:
Dean Abraham, Vice-President for
Store Operations
[same address as above]
Tell them how your Hancock’s closing has affected you and what you will miss most that the store carried. Maybe this will help the company concentrate more on what customers want in the remaining stores and allow the corporation to stay in business. Most companies pay more attention to regular letters than email correspondence.
In my opinion, Hancock’s started downhill when it began emphasizing home furnishings, special-order upholstered furniture, etc., and failed to focus on the main reason most people shopped there — FABRIC. If they had continued to concentrate on what they do best (fabric), I think they would have prospered. I have shopped at a Hancock’s two miles from my home in Oklahoma City since I was a child. This store and one other in OKC are closing; however, we will be left with 3 or 4 other locations, thank goodness. I haven’t been to the liquidation sale at “my” Hancock’s yet because I’m afraid I’ll start crying uncontrollably. Many of the employees have become my friends. No other fabric stores in the area are comparable. I wish the company the best in restructuring and hope they stay afloat so we who like to sew will still have a source for a good selection of reasonably priced fabric (which JoAnn’s is not known for).
Just to let eeryone know there are some great online websites to order fabrics from as Walmart stops selling fabric and Hancock closes. I know of one online fabric store that is also a store that you can visit if you are in NJ. JandOfabrics.com. JandOfabrics.com has everything from novelty fabric to upholstery fabrics and everything in between. And the owners are fabulous and do what they can to get you what you need. Check out their website and if you have any questions give them a call, they will answer your questions and do what they can to help and keep the sewers out their sewing.
Guess i am a lucky one so far. We still have our stores plus 4 Wally Worlds to choke the system around here,and 3 JoAnn fabs.JoAnn seemed to go a lot w/crafts which is great if you do a lot of crafting..then they have these “bargains” on bolts of fabrics…if you like something that looks like you got it tucked away from under a bunch of stuff at the thrift store from years ago…hey..”MAYBE” it will come back in style(someday?).They cut way back on they fabric selection and way up on the prices to make up for it. So i then found Hancock Fabrics,nice store,selection and people and good sales too.The store was laid out where i could find things too whereas JoAnns got confusing and i couldn’t and got exasperated in my search(i am NOT a shopper{hate it}…know what i want..in/out..done…don’t like to have to search for stuff).So i feel for those of you that have lost your stores.I hope you can find other alternatives to your dilema.Might I suggest starting up a club or such group,(esp. if you live in a small town),of sewers and sell or trade/exchange your unwanted material with each other? I know i have tons around here i have gotten over the years around here w/good intentions and plans that never fostered into anything and just sits there still waiting to be used and made into something…someone else could use it as i may not like the print now as well as i did when i got it.Just a seed of an idea to plant.Good luck.
I’m so sorry to see my nearby store close!!! I love the selection, and feel if they would have competed with JoAnne Fabrics for the continuous 40%& occasional 50% discounts, they would have drawn more people into the store.
My Hancock’s was one of the first 30 to close. I was really upset because I also think that they have much nicer fabrics than JoAnn’s. I have ordered from their web site, but I too like to feel the fabrics before buying them. Fabrics like fleece and flannel are easy to buy online, but other specialty fabrics are not. If my WalMart closes their fabric department too, I’ll be in deep trouble! Lisa
I am just heartbroken our store is closing. I have only been sewing for a year now & they always have the greatest employees who treat you like family – unlike our JoAnn’s who are rude , Unkind & won’t let you use their bathrooms any more.
I live in a very small community. Has a quilt shop that is very very expensive, a Wal Mart, who will no longer have the fabric and craft dept and a Hancock, which is closing. I work 40 miles from home in a another small community that the only retail store to buy fabric is Wal Mart, and they are eliminating their craft and fabric dept also. The nearest JoAnn’s is 60 miles away from my home. I am still young and mobile, and can take an afternoon to go to JoAnn’s and do a “power” shop of fabric. Whom I feel sorry for is the older women who are not so mobile, needing to depend on other family members to take them shopping, and chances are they do not have a computer.
The Hancock in my area, as far as I am concerned, deserved to close. It was always dirty,inventory was limited, sale prices were not good, and I could never get help from any of the employees. But was willing to put up with it because it had best selection I had available to me. I had lived in a larger city a few years ago. The Hancock (before they revamped) was wonderful and spurred creativity. They moved into a new store, and it just was never the same. Would love to have Hancock reorganize, and come back as they were a few years back. Thanks for allowing me to voice my feelings
I was in my local Hancock’s store last night to find they were having a store closing sale. The sales lady told me the only Hancock’s stores to be left open in the Fort Worth/Dallas area will be the stores in Hurst, Lewisville and Plano. Unless one lives in those particular, non-centrally located areas, the majority of Fort Worth and Dallas customers will have to drive quite a distance across town and even further. What a shame!
I have looked at fabric online and it’s more expensive. Plus, who wants to buy fabric online without seeing and feeling it, not to mention the wait?
In response to Tre’sha (March 30 comment)regarding sewing becoming a lost art- Our PBS TV station used to carry many sewing/quilting shows on Saturday. It then, dropped to a few on Saturday morning and now none at all. So interest has to be declining all the way around or people simply don’t have the time to watch or sew or both.
The whole world is changing, particularly in the “art” world, which in my opinion, is not a good thing.
Just another comment regarding the Hancock Fabrics situation. I have several reasons for being upset our store in Alcoa TN is closing. The next fabric store will be in Knoxville Tn, Jo Anns, which is at least 35-45 miles from most of the Hancock customers homes that shopped in this store. Many of the regulars have home based businesses and depended on this store for notions, fabric and general advertising that was allowed for their businesses. Now I too will have to travel to get what I need and want. Another reason is that I am an employee of this store, and have been for over 3 years, so the closing has still another impact. Just a part time job doing what I loved being with fabric and people who loved to sew. Not many folks can say they have a job the love and are only making a shade above minimum wage. I was fortunate to come into this job and I now am unfortunate that it will soon come to an end. The best part of the job were the people I worked with. There were about 9 of us, and it was just like having a family of 7 sisters and oh yes, one brother, as we have a man working there who could sew circles around the best of seamstresses. I know we may keep in touch after the store closes, but that often falls on the wayside. So I will still love to sew, I will miss my friends—co-workers.
The other thing that is very disturbing is how Hancocks went about this so called reorganization. It was very suddenly put upon our store and the 2 other stores in Knoxville, TN, Yes, they are closing 3 of us at the same time in the same approximate area. Some of the top execs of the business will go unscathed as they usually do in a business situation as this. It is the little folk which get hurt the most, from employess dow to faithful customers. Also a litigation firm is handling the operation. All they see are the dollar signs very little concern for we employees. But we have all decided to hang in there till the lst fabric is cut. And then we will bid our good byes and drye our eyes as well.
Our Hancock was one of the 30 1st closed down,it was so dirty and really needed to be updated anyway.I hope that they do reorganize and come back with a vengeance.until then I am stocked to the hilt with alot of fabric, alot of which I dont really use. So in reading that letter from “Kristine” (#48),I may take her suggestion and start a small group of those who would like to sell or trade in our small town.
I am very saddened about the closing of the Hancock Fabric stores and also the Wal-Mart stores in most every state. It seems to me that there is mis-management and people that just don’t care about our ways of making extra money and meeting new friends. It’s time to rise up and DO something about them doing away with OUR rights!!!
This is a sad thing both Hancocks and Wal_marts offing the fabric departments and Stores in my area . I live in Mesa Arizona and so does my 86 year old mother and we both sew. I guess I can order on line but don’t ask my mother or all the other Senior Citizens that don’t understand how a computer works to order on line. I do like to see and feel the fabrics before I buy. Its just as bad as the Government telling all the eldery to go on line when the Medicare D came available to sign up.. Geeze. What is our World comming to??? Isn’t there something all of us can DO??
I only recently found out about Hancock’s, but I have already been writing to Walmart. We live in a small town and Walmart is the only place really to buy fabric. Our Hancock’s is 50 miles away. I just simply cannot understand why the fabric industry is having a hard time. You wouldn’t believe how much money I spend on fabric every month. Not to mention when I do the costumes for any of our church plays. And now I am fixin to buy a whole bolt of fabric for our baptismal robes. I mean come on, what is going on? I wish someone would give us some answers.
i work for hancock, and have for 2.5 years… they are finally going to promtoe me, lol, but i’m not sure what’s going on with the company… my store does most of the business in our area (st. louis area) so we aren’t in much danger, but a few of our neighboring hancock’s are closing… it’s scary. i wasn’t planning on staying with the company forever, just as long as it takes to finish my degree and start my real life, but this is sad. i love to sew, and i love shopping at hancock. having worked there i might be a little biased, but hancock is the most relaxed of all the mainstream fabric stores i go to. i don’t think there’s a problem with the employees or the fabric selection… i just think the big whigs screwed something up…
Here in Medford, Oregon our Hancock’s was one of the 15 highest grossing stores in the nation. Our manager and staff were superb and the store was clean and bright and had excellent classes. I taught machine embroidery and our local ASG held monthly meetings but after 2 years it is closing. now we are back to our only other store…Jo Ann’s where it has gone to 3/4 craft and 1/4 fabric, mainly polar fleece. It is so disappointing as we have nothing else for hundreds of miles and the only other fabric source is online. We are told that if we do not buy locally, we willl lose what we have, well this is a case of doing the right thing and still being stung. I received a notice of Chapter 11 from the lawyers as Hancocks owes me money, so I am just joining a very long line of creditors now and waiting to see what is left when the vultures have picked over the bones. The fact that their financial officer left mysteriously makes you wonder????
The minute Hancocks added “home decor item”, as well as more & more craft supplies, I knew they were doomed as a fabric store.
I don’t understand the need to sell craft items as well as furniture in a “fabric” store.
Closing the Vacaville, CA store is a huge loss for the sewing & quilting community.
Shame you Hancocks!
I am responding to those who say write to Hancock Fabrics & let them know of your feelings. In an earlier posting, I wrote about how I DID write to Hancock last year when they closed a store close to my home. And I also stated how they did NOTHING. Not even an acknowledgement. You can’t say it got lost when I wrote to 2 different executives. (including Jane Aggers, the pres) I keep hearing they are re-organizing yet I learned Saturday at another Hancock store that, yes, ALL the Hancock stores in Michigan are closing. With Walmart closing down theirs, it would seem Hancock would hang on yet. And as a previous reader pointed out, so many of us have stashes. How can they be going out of business? Quite simply I believe Hancock has done too little too late. And how interesting Walmart is closing down their fabric departments after they managed to run the independents out of many, many small towns across the country.
I live in So. St. Paul, MN and we the closest fabric store is Hancock Fabrics about 2 miles away. I shopped there for about 30 years when it was Minnesota Fabrics. I believe this one is not going to close. At least by sewing I know some of my clothes are made here in the United States and not China. The only other fabric stores on Joann Fabrics and Mill-end Textiles. I like them all, but Joanns is the most expensive. WHY CAN’T WE KEEP FABRIC STORES HERE IN AMERICA AND NOT CHINA!!!!
I was so saddened by the news of our Hwy. 50 Hancock’s closing. From the first day of my shopping there, I was happy. The selections of fabrics coming in each week were splendid. No matter what project I was working on, I could find something in this store that made everything work; plus, I’m a retired person and I quilt. The selection of my dreams were found in this store. My husband even bought me a Janome serger from this store (it’s still in the box because I’ve been too busy to get into another project). Upon each visit, there was a female manager that went over the top in helping me and so energetic. I know of two complimentary letters that I sent in her behalf. Then I found she had been replaced by a man, who was also very nice. I just hate to see this store go out of business. I loved it and now, there is no Hancock’s in Orlando. What a pity. Such a big city as Orlando and no Hancock’s. Can’t believe it! I especially loved the Asian fabric because I favor designing kimonos and make quilt designs using this fabric. I’m so disappointed about losing our store, Hancock’s on Hwy. 50. Plus, I hear that WalMart is discontinuing their fabric. The only reason I visited there was for the fabric. What is wrong with the executives who make “closing decisions”? They must not have wives who enjoy hobbies such as quilting and other sewing projects. Thanks for listening.
Orlando, FL Quilter and Arts/Crafts Hobbiest
I would like to respond to Sandy’s comment about how she was forced to buy all the fabric on the bolt. Dear Sandy,I work at a Hancocks that has not closed, and the very idea that a worker at that store forced you to buy what you did not want, is outrageous! You should write a letter to the dristrict manager of that store, and request a refund.Hancocks policy, that we practice in our store, is the least amount of fabric that can be purchased is an 1/8 of a yard. I am sorry that you did not recieve the positive shopping experience that you should have recieved.
We have been apathetic for a long time and now it is costing us freedom of choice. Remember, Fabricland, Cloth world, House of Fabrics and some of the long lost others?
We now have not spoken up and the chance to get our choices back is down to Joanns. Not a lot of choice there. Thank God for quilt shops and a few Mom and Pops. This may make the reemergence of Mom and Pops to fill the gap and if this happens, we need to support them and not be drawn to the “Sales”. Good quality fabric is going to cost more but so be worth it. Most of us have a stash, but many are starting out. Hello sewing Machine companies…..If sewers no longer have a supply why on earth would we want a sewing machine?? The necessity for many to get involved in this sad “Monopoly”has taken a new definition. How many sewers out there believe they can make a change? Now is testing time. Hancocks closing may be the catalyst for changing the rules of management and choice. Is anybody listening ?
wanna know what happened? ask the CEO that Hancocks hired from Joanns. Just before they started carring more arts and crafts and home dec.
First JoAnn’s leaves our mall (several years ago), then WalMart closes out its fabric dept and now Hancock’s is going, going, gone! We have a Hobby Lobby, which I enjoy shopping at but its selection of every day fabrics is somewhat limited at times – with very few selections of holiday prints. Hancock’s didn’t have the best ever selection and prices but between them and Walmart, I could usually find what I wanted. I’m sorely dissappointed that the consumers are being ignored in the attempts of Big Business to expand way beyond their capabilities. I agree with previous posts – when a fabric store reaches outside it’s parameters to more crafts and furniture than fabric and notions, it’s doomed.
I was shopping at Hancock’s just yesterday. While the store near me has not remodled, they have expanded their inventory of decorator fabrics. While I quilt, I am currently enjoying many design projects for my home and boat and like the upholstery/designer fabrics I find now at Hancock’s. I think with the draw HGTV gets and it’s many design shows, there is much more interest in home deisgn projects and Hancock’s has added inventory to meet the needs of their customers. My store is always understaffed, which makes shopping a bit difficult. I was happy to see that my story wasn’t on the closing list!
Hancocks is so much cleaner and neater than any JoAnn’s that I have walked in.Home decorations such as lamps, pictures, tables, etc. are not needed in a fabric store. perhaps it would have been better to push having sewing groups, quilters, ASG, etc.with a sewing area, so customers could see and be inspired to sew. Their selection of fabric was very diversified so it appealed to various types of sewers. I now will be purchasing 90% of my fabric needs online.
I remember the days when stores like Sears and JCPenny’s carried fabric. You could even buy fabric at the local 5 & 10. Of course, that was back when there were plenty of fabric mills in the US and it was still cheaper to make clothes than buy them. That’s all gone now and it’s beyond sad. I miss all the beautiful natural fiber fabrics I used to see at the stores while shopping with my mother.
Now the only store left to me sells mostly polyester and I can’t afford the good fabric on the internet, much less the shipping.
There are a lot of reasons that the fabric stores are struggling or have closed. Joann bought out several companies in the 90’s but is no longer in a position to do that. While there are many devoted sewers, most are unwilling to pay the price for good fabric. The fabric stores have resorted to filling their stores with other items in an effort to increase sales. Meanwhile, the number of serious sewers diminishes each year as time to sew is devoted to work, computers, and other hobbies. I worked in the sewing industry for decades and now work in furniture sales. One dynamic that is at work in both industries is the trend to imports. Many domestic mills are closing because fabric shipped from overseas is cheaper and people always want cheaper. Unfortunately, many fail to realize that when they get cheaper they often sacrifice quality. And another loss as we import more fabric (and everything else) is choice and variety. Sad. What we are seeing now as so much is imported is equivalent to the impact of the Industrial Revolution. As we become more dependent on imports, those prices will rise and then what?
There are 2 Hancock Fabrics in my area.
I’m in my the one closest to me at least once a week. I love the atmosphere (oldies music playing). The store is clean and inviting. Some times the fabric selections leave me frustrated but I usually find what I want. The JoAnn store in our area had gotten very junky and uninviting until a few months ago…I think there was a change in local management and now the store is clean and welcoming with a better fabric selections. I know stores must change with the market to stay in business but I’m not into the crafty items…I love to sew clothing items and some home dec. Whenever I travel I look for “local” fabric stores, but they are few and far between.
I was so depressed to see that the only Hancock Fabric store in my area was closing. I just got back into sewing and was so saddened by the news. The only other store in the area is 45 minutes away. Now I have to shop for fabrics at Wal-Mart (which is good for the basics but not good for the exotic)or Hobby Lobby. In my area there are no good places to get fabric guess I’ll just have to wait until I go to the big city and then stock up. I will hate to see them leave.
I too live in a rural area, and will be effected by the Wal Mart doing away with the fabric. The next closest fabric store will be an hour away. I have been told that in WalMart will keep the fabric if enough people contact WalMart corporation and complain. The Walmart that is about 45 minutes away will be able to keep there fabric due to more than 5,000 people contacting WalMart. They do have a website.
It only goes to show how a big chain such as Walmart will go into the neighborhoods and cause the “little man” to have to close his/her place of business because they can’t compete and then WalMart just does away with a complete line of goods. Maybe the “little men” will be able to go back in business. How wonderful it would be to go into a fabric shop and have someone actually wanting to cut your fabric versus having to hunt someone and wait for your fabric to be cut.
Hi,
I have been a customer of Hancock Fabrics previously known as Minnesota fabrics for the past 20 years. I am so disappointed by the decision to close all the stores in Michigan (even though only few show on the list). Most of my friends and I indulge in sewing to relax, and for every other reason. I used to travel 60 miles to hancock fabrics on 11 mile and dequindre for shopping even though there was a Joann very close by within 2 miles. Very very disappointing. It was the best store for fabrics.
I am just devastated! Hancock needs to do some serious advertising on the design shows, soliciting younger sewers. Out Hancock is full of workers who sew – always ready to help and offer advice. It’s a huge loss.
What in the world is going on? Sewing is once again becoming so popular and fabric is getting harder and harder to find. I love Hancock Fabric store. I have always felt that I was purchasing quality material at a fair price. they need to re vamp there marketing and offer classes and get the youth involved. Maybe start with the schools and even do after school classes where there would be a double plus for the working parent and teaching sewing.
When the Saginaw, Michigan Hancock store closed I was very disappointed as
I found their fabric was superior to
JoAnn’s fabrics. JoAnn’s fabric is good
for one summer then if falls apart. I
always liked to buy the St. Jude fabric
for my daughter-in-law’s nursing jackets I made for her. Hancock’s was the only place I have ever seen that particular fabric. Have also been pleased with all cloth I used for quilts and clothes from Hancock’s.
I stopped in a Hancock fabric store just because I was near it and was told that ALL the Michigan stores were closing not just the three listed on their website. The other item of interest is that what- ever doesn’t sell is going to JoAnn’s.
I have shopped at Hancock for years in Michigan, I found their fabric to be very good quality. The prices were resonable, and they were the only store which carried affordable Afrocentric fabrics. They stopped carrying it a couple of years ago, and I had to order it for my business. there are two stores in my area, and I shop at both. Sorry to read that the left overs will be sent to JoAnn Fabrics. I have recently been really disappointed with the poor quality of JoAnn’s fabric. It looks good, and is priced like others but it it poor, poor quality. No excuse for this. We still have Fields and that’s a blessing. Thanks, Georgia
I live in MA and they are closing the one here in Leominster/Fitchburg. I like everyone else am really upset with the fact that they are closing so many stores…
I am a business owner and I know what the costs are for a small business….I am also from a family of texile mill owners…the last mill in the family being the Franklin Mills that my 2nd cousin now runs as a fabric shop. The costs are too great for some mills to keep running with fair labor costs…however there is a turn in the market I think if folks look in the right place. It used to be the folks that “could not afford” to buy a dress sewed one…Now its sheik to sew….the “neuveau gentry” sews….thanks to the DIY channel and HGTV….and the neveau gentry ladies are not buying Singer machines….oh no…they are buying Berninas and Janomes…. And they are buying the higher end fabrics, with out looking at the price, just looking at the prodject. These are people with money….and the market is still aiming for the folks that were sewing 30+ years ago. Companies like Joannes and now Hancocks are focusing on the “neuveau gentry” for the home dec items instead of the embroidery units and high end window fabrics. What they fail to realize is that with HGTV and DIY women are realizing they do not have to put up with pre-made stuff that they thought was good when they felt they could afford to buy it unlike their Mothers..Now they realize they cannot afford not to….I bought curtains out of Target last year and folks let me tell you they were not even clipped or finished. And now more than EVER before, women have more mone of thier own with say so on how it is spent…So if they want a 5k machine, they buy one.
The only winners that will rise out of all of this will be the ones who see this trend as I do, and do something “high touch” in customer service and high quality. The ones that just are trying to out price each other by having a low bidding war for the cheapest fabric are the ones that are going to loose.
DIY and HGTV does a good job at promoting “all crafts” as well….However stores like Joannes are providing some but not enough of a supply of items to the public. Micheals and ACMoore already do that…and in the “laws of marketing” there is a Leader, a Secondary and then a Nobody….Think of shipping…You have UPS and FedEx then who is after that???? Michaeals and ACMoore already fill the top slots with Hobby Lobby or Garden Ridge filling out where they are not prevelent….Joannes altho trying to fill in the gaps will NEVER take over the #1 or # 2 spot, they simply do not have the complete array of all crafting items…they have diverified too much…
Sad. It is the only emotion I have. The Hancock’s Fabric Store I have relied on for at least 30 years is closing. This store is over 50 miles from my home but always worth the trip. I am a mid-centurion who has sewn since I was 9 years old and learned to sew thru 4-H. I have sadly watched so many fabric stores close. Does anyone remember House of Fabrics, Cloth World, Hart’s? It was just over a year ago when the Rite Aide in our town decided to close its fabric section of their store.
A lot of folks like to blame Wal Mart but bottom line, who can blame us? We are forced to pay $3.25 a gallon for gas, we are forced to accept inflation. So when one chooses Wal Mart because the consumer can get a break, Wal Mart still remains the bad guy. I not a real fan of their fabric; however, now I am forced to take a closer look. And don’t even get me started on JoAnn’s Fabric. It always looks like they have a huge selection – but it is a funky selection and expensive to boot.
It seemed for awhile that the new found love for quilting was going to save the fabric industry. It used to be the only way a person owned a quilt was if they made one or inherited one. But then someone figured out that folks in China/Japan/Asia can make cheap quilts, sell them cheap and the average consumer would think they had just bought a piece of America.
All my sewing buddies can almost open their own fabric stores with their own stashes. All of these gals take great pride in their collections. It seems the fabric industry would be making huge profits by consumers buying fabric, buying more fabric and then never using it. It seems a business like that would be making all kinds of money.
Bottom line, one can’t expect a company to stay in business if the business isn’t making any money. All of this is just sad and if there were something a consumer could do at this point, I’d sure like to know what it is.
I guess I should take the time to thank Hancock’s. Good hours, good selection, great sales, good people. Thanks for being there as long as you were and for taking care of your customers.
Carol Goff, California
I’m not the least surprised. Every time I went in there (often), the sound system was blaring rock music. Many times I left in disgust. Several times I asked the manager to turn it down, and she replied that they couldn’t because it was piped in from corporate headquarters. (Same response I got from WalMart.) My guess is that some marketing research firm decided that people spend more money when the music is hard and loud. They’re wrong.
I’ve just read about some of the Phoenix stores closing and I’m sorry for the customers in that area. So far, I’m lucky that the Tucson stores are safe. Is this another case of corporate greed like Wal-Mart?
I was extremely disappointed when my local Hancock’s decided to go with a lot less fashion fabrics and more into the crafts and home dec area. To top it all off, their craft section isn’t that good. I could always find what I wanted more or less, to sew clothing for myself and my children at Hancock’s. Can’t anymore. The home dec stuff doesn’t appeal to me in the least and I don’t quilt. I do know how to use a computer and I shop a lot online but, fabric is one thing I don’t buy on line. I need to see it, touch it, check the color etc before I buy fabric. My brand new Super Wal Mart is even more disappointing as far as fashion fabric. At the old store, I could usually find something in the way of fashion fabrics but, not anymore. I live an hour and a half away from any other city that might have a store somewhere that carries a selection of fabric, so what are we to do? Fabric, thread and sewing machine manufacturers need to get busy and unite together to stop this horrible new trend.
I live in the Sacramento, CA area and I am a quilter. I am blessed to have many local quilt shops. I feel empathy for those who live in parts of the country where Walmart is/was your only option. personally, I absolutely DO NOT miss fabric from Walmart – it was junk and I quit buying it years ago. Most of the so-called “cotton” collection said “Made from cotton and other unspecified fibers” on the ends of the bolts. I do not care for JoAnn much for the same reasons that many others have stated – too much focus on crafts, poorly arranged stores, medium quality fabric (but definitely better than WalMart crap). I find it sad that Hancock’s is closing, but the one near me seems to be mostly focused on home dec stuff (half the store), and whileit does have some very nice quilting fabrics, sometimes they hang on to them far too long and the fabric quality deteriorates before they move them to sale rack. For me, I have been finding good quality fabrics at Beverly’s Fabrics and Crafts (stores only in CA). They have a smidge better prices than local quilt shops and take JoAnn coupons, have top notch fabric (Moda, Benartex, Timeless Treasures, South Pacific Imports, RJR, etc.), an absolutely wonderful staff (Sacramento quilters – visit the store at Marconi and Fair Oaks in Carmichael). I also shop the 50% off sale racks at all of my local quilt shops. Also, shop at the various Meissner’s stores when they have sales – good selection, excellent fabrics, OK staff.
I have been going to Hancocks over 40 years, remember when it just big piles of fabric and we dug thru to find what we wanted.
Don’t like JoAnne’s anymore, hardly any fabric, mostly craft items. Walmart is letting us down by closing the fabric departments, in small rural towns there are very few choices.
Hancock’s please look at the small quilting stores, they are selling material like crazy. We want good fabric, patterns and ideas. WE don’t need cheap furniture, and other home decor items. Motivate us and we will buy. Where did I hear, “the average home sewer has a stash valued at over $10,000.” I think I might be in the running.
I live in cullman ala the closing of the store in cullman was very disturbing and now the one in roebuck and jasper. If walmart closes theres then we have to travel 60 to 90 minutes to a store. This a bad thing for those who depend on fabric stores for our projcts.
Upset? You bet I’m upset. As it was, the closest Hancock’s and Wal-Mart was and is 40 miles away from me. I recently resigned my full-time job to get back to my first love of sewing and now SUDDENLY Hancock’s closes, Wal-Mart quits carrying fabric. The closest fabric store, Hobby Lobby is 100 miles away! What are they thinking!
Ladies, I hate to be the hard case and I know a lot of you are suffering, but I used to work for fabric stores when I was in college, and frankly I wouldn’t work for any of them anymore. I was disgusted by them long ago and it turned me off most non-essential sewing. We were always the lowest-paid, worst-treated employees, and the stores were full of dust, mold, and who knows what old inventory. We never knew how much of what we had on hand. They had rolls and rolls of home dec fabric, expensive and ugly and never enough for any significant project. The button wall was the worst waste of space. Even the cash handling practices were a joke.
But I have an idea. We should take a leaf out of the book of the co-op buyers club. We should get together in a group and find out how to run our own relevant, clean, and well-stocked store with knowledgeable, involved, intelligent employees (volunteer or paid) from our own ranks. If there are really enough of us who need brick-and-mortar stores, there’s our potentially profitable niche that isn’t being served by the large commercial interests. Organize!!
At least two stores in the Austin/San Marcos area are closing; I don’t know about the other(s). Hancock has been my mainstay for many years and I’d be devastated to loose all of them. I hope they make it!
It’s a shame to see the “craft” sections of stores getting smaller and smaller. I used to be able to purchase yarn at WalMart, but now it’s down to only a few choices, Michael’s carries fewer and fewer yarns and now Hancock Fabrics is closing. It seems like in this world of instant gratification, the old world arts are becoming a thing of the past.
Just learned that many Hancock Fabric Stores andare closing, and that many Wal-mart stores are closing their fabric stores. Now Hobby Lobby is cutting out the fabrics also? What are the sewers to do? I plan on making my granddaughter’s wedding dress in a year or two: Where will I shop? A person cannot tell much about a fabric, the feel, how it wrinkles, the color on a computer screen.
What about those who just bought sewing machines, sergers, and supplies? What about those of us who sew for charities, people in need, preemie babies; what are we to do?
We lost House of Fabric, Cloth World, JoAnn (foreign fabric) moved to a Superstore, Walmart has no selection, and now Hancock is closing. HOW SAD!
I’m off to Fabric.com I guess.
The problem is that everything has gone to more quickie crafts.Practically no one teaches their daughters to sew anymore. I learned to sew when i was 8 making a lot of my own clothes then.There were 4 of us kids then. I made a boyfriends suit when I was 17. I have sewn all 3 of my girls wedding dresses plus their bridesmaids dresses.People just do not want to take the time..to them it is easier to just grab something off the shelf ready made. I make quilts for my 4 grandchildren now and still make things for my daughters and their husbands. To me what is homemade is made from the heart.It has become a dying art form and as seamstresses so are we. The fabric stores are the ones losing out as well by bringing in too many crafts,furniture(why is beyond me);little birdy houses and garden stakes and what have you that you can find at Joanns…oye!Lets stick to the basics..sewing needs…please.
I am very very upset that they are closing. I did not have a clue until I went to the store this past weekend. I have only been sewing for a little over a year, and it is my relaxing time. Now I have no clue what I am going to do if Walmart stops selling fabric too. Although I do live in a big city, I do not want to travel all over to find what I need to sew.
It really saddens me that some of the Hancock stores are closing. The one closest to me isn’t on the list as of yet, but I’m sure in the future it will be. If all these stores keep closing, and the young kids of today want to learn to sew, where will they go? I’m not so sure that they even teach Home Ec, as it was called when I was in school, anymore and if they do teach that subject, is learning the basics of sewing part of the subject matter? My niece has decided to learn to sew to make pillows and curtains and things for her home, what a discouraging event for her, when she is so excited about learning to sew, not to be able to have some place to go and browse all the lovely fabrics. It is such a shame.
FYI…Hancock Fabrics is emerging from bankruptcy. Very recently, billionaire Carl Berg bought a 10% interest in the company. I doubt that it will be closing down entirely and closing all stores, as one poster suggested. You can check it out at:
http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/charts/chartdl.aspx?symbol=hkfIQ
At this link, use the column on the left to research various info on the company.
I too am very saddened to hear about this! I re-outfit my ~25 dance students every couple of years and have to buy big quantities. Its already really affected us by the 2 recently closed Hancock’s here in Western Washington – there are only 4 left, and when I need something of theirs that goes on sale, I have to drive to all 4 stores to get enough of what I need. They have great selection, great prices and great sales. I MUCH prefer shopping in-store vs. online as I want to get a true picture of colors, fabric texture, etc., and often colors are limited online. Glad to hear someone bought 10% interest in the company, and I hope they are able to stay afloat.
As I read about Hancock’s changing, I’m not at all surprised.We had a store in Tullahoma,Tn. some few years ago. My theory is that you must have employees that love textiles,and know and understand the love of fabric and notions,and like people. I have been sewing and crafting since I could hold a needle. I am now 59 years old.I owned a people business(hairsalon)for 25 yrs. I sewed all mine and my two daughters clothes,and many beauty padgent dresses,hairstyling contest outfits. I greatly hope Hancocks come out on the upper end of this situation.Some free sewing classes and maybe door prizes help motive.Sewing seems to be a lost art.All I can say is keep on buying those cheap overseas garments that one washing and you don’t know which end goes where.
I’m very disappointed and saddened. The only other fabric store we have in the Twin Cities is Joann Fabrics and there’s a lot of materials I find at Hancock that I can’t find at Joann’s.
Whose bright idea is it to close these stores?
By any chance are you getting a kick back from clothing manufacturers that are currently substandard to what they used to be?
I find sewing very relaxing and, again, am saddened and disappointed!
I had 3 stores within 20 miles of me. I chose to shop there instead of JoAnn Fabrics who also have 4 stores near me. I am now FORCED to shop at JoAnn’s even though their selection is and never has been as varied as Hancocks, especially for womens dress clothes. The store I shopped at used to be Minnesota Fabrics and I had shopped at that store for almost 30 years. I even worked there for a while. What a shame!!!! Don’t companies have any concern or loyalty to their customers? Couldn’t Hancock have figured a way to keep at least one store open or sell their inventory to another company interest in keeping the stores open? I can’t believe that the demand for fabrics has decreased. If anything, it would increase with the high cost of store bought drapes, tablecloths, bridal gowns, etc. I sure don’t want to shop at JoAnn’s.
I just made my first quilt and feel obsessed about quilting. All of these comments are very depressing. I don’t have a stash, am a senior citizen on a fixed income and Hancock’s is 45 miles away, if it’s not going out of business.
I used to work for Fabricland. It was bought out by House of Fabrics, which was then bought out by JoAnn Fabric. In terms of quality, JoAnn’s is just a hair about Walmart (with Walmart at the bottom of the list). Now, Hancock Fabrics is departing leaving us with TWO JoAnn’s. (The Kennewick, WA store is fairly good. The Richland, WA store is a dump.) I love to sew and prefer this over shopping for clothes. It’s just getting more and more difficult to find quality fabrics AND notions.
Our Hancocks is not closing right now and I hope they don’t. I am crushed that now Wal Mart is closing their fabrics. Hancocks does not need the furniture/home decorating portion. We can get that at Pier 1, World Market, even Target. Pier 1 needs to take a look at the quality of their products before they are the next to file. I don’t think stores look at the average consumer. They think everyone wants a home like HGTV or DIY.
I am so glad to read these comments. I thought I was the only one who cried inconsolably when fabric stores closed! I live in a tiny impoverished town in northern Wisconsin. We had a Jo-Anne’s in our little tiny “mall”. How fondly I remember walking there on blustery winter days to get a zipper or thread to complete a long winter’s project. Bought a TON of fabric and patterns over the years, too. Jo-Anne left (nobody for a 100 mile radius liked THAT). Then the mall owner, who is influential, got us sewing folks a Hancock’s. Not as good as the old Jo-Anne, but we were glad to have it. Now it will probably go. We have a Wal-Mart out on the edge of town, don’t go there much, really only went when I HAD TO HAVE A FABRIC!! OUCH!!
I don’t like the fabrics nowadays at Hancock or Jo-Ann, usually. But you need a source for things when something needs mending, fixing or when a supply runs out, or you want to do some basic home dec, which I do alot. the internet implies a shipping wait.
Chinese-made but American designed fabrics lose alot in the translation for American home sewers. Too many silly glitter and sequin-bedecked fabrics, too many swoopy, ugly, turquoise, brown and fuschia prints.
On-line is okay, the selection is mind-boggling. eBay is a good source too. But they are not a walk, a bus ride or a short car ride away.
Hancock had too much imported furniture and knickknacks. We are inundated with that stuff in many stores– we did not need it there. I think they made a mistake carrying yarn, too, it always seemed to be clearanced.
Jo-Ann Etc has changed alot since they started. They cater less to “buy our fabric and hire one of our seamstress clients”. There seems to be a retraction in the amount of goods displayed. I bet they are in trouble, too….
You know something, crafty sewing people out there?? Our country is changing in ways large and small that we don’t like, didn’t cause, and wish wasn’t happening.
robyn
You know Hancock should have never gone Bankrupt. If they would have had better management. Hobby Lobby carries all the extra nick-naks why did Hancock think they needed to carry that also? Our nearest fabric store is an hour away but since Hancock in Enid,OK, is closing I guess our nearest fabric store will be in Wichita, Ks & that’s 3 hours away. Somebody just got greedy & lost the money & so that’s probably why the company is filing Bankruptcy. ‘Cause I know the one in Enid, OK was busy all the time & making good money. Too bad the store is closing because they had such a wide variety in fabric & notions. I feel for all the employees who now has to find new jobs & get medical/dental insurance, ’cause that is very costly if you are not working at a really good job. Good Luck to all the workers/employees at Hancock Fabric’s you will all be missed.
I am teaching my 5 children to sew and we are all very saddened by the closings of Hancocks and the WalMart folks taking out the fabric departments. But we CAN all make a difference. WRITE a letter to the CEOs and express your support for keeping fabric stores up and running and keep Walmart’s full of fabric! We CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
DON’T wait, WRITE Today!
I live in Iowa City, IA. I personally know many of my friends refused to shop at the Hancock Fabrics here in Iowa City because of the attitude of the staff, particularly that of the manager. He is probably the rudest manager I have seen yet of any store. It leads me to wonder even tho Hancock seems to be so competitive in their prices, perhaps there’s a lack of awareness that customer service is just as important.
I am sad to see Hancock Fabric go out of business since they were the only store close to me. There were about 10 locations in Houston, Texas and now I know of ony 2 that are still open. I hate to have to drive 50 miles to the closest fabric store to shop with the price of gas so high and the time it takes me to drive that distance.
Yes, we ladies that sew should teach our daughters and grand-daughters and friends how to sew to keep the fabric stores in business. It is corporate America mistake to move all our jobs over seas to get cheap labor and then we turn around an import the same stuff and sell it here in America at higher prices. However, we Americans should learn to make our own clothes so that we don’t have to support Corporate America.
Yes, Hancock’s should have done their homework & surveys to see how they could best meet the demands of us sewers, so that we would continue to do business with them. I loved Hancock’s selection of fabrics when they first started in my area in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. They will be greatly missed by all in my area since they were the closest fabric shop in Cypress, Texas. I don’t even have a grocery store or drug store to shop in my area.
Diana in Cypress, Texas
When I moved to Montgomery, AL in 1990 we had two Hancock Fabrics, two Cloth World fabric stores, two Piece Goods fabric stores and one locally owned specialty fabric store. Now we have one Hancock’s and Hobby Lobby. The Hancock’s moved a while back and added a lot of Home Dec stuff. The fabric selection is pretty slim. My 16-year old daughter is learning to sew and we have a terrible time finding fabric she likes. I buy a lot of things on line but fabric is different. I like to see it and touch it!
I guess given that the Hancock Headquarters were so affected by Katrina, it’s not too bizarre to see them closing stores. I was still very shocked, though, especially having worked there. I don’t really know how retail is supposed to work, but it seems like most of the consumers waited until the item they wanted was going to go on sale. But maybe that’s more a reflection on the state of our economy LOL.
Very sad. It will be sad not to be able to work there again.
One of our three Hancock’s in Baton Rouge has closed, and it had the best selection of fabric of the three. When I sew I consider my time and expertise to warrant up to date and quality fabric. Most of the fabric at my nearest Hancock store is of a cheaper quality than I desire and is not the latest fabrics shown in the pattern books and in magazines. Careful searching will sometimes turn up a real jewel of fabric, but that is rare. I make frequent trips to Hancock’s to purchase thread, buttons, needles and other notions, sometimes when I’m in the middle of a sewing project and cannot continue until I make that particular purchase. It is so satisfying to be able to see and “feel” fabric before buying. Buying online leaves a lot to be desired. We now have more “home-dec” stores in Baton Rouge than we have Hancock stores. Please reorganize and fill your stores with what the home sewer desires. Listen to us, don’t try to read our minds. Many young women are joining the ranks of us older sewers. Please encourage them with access to good fabric and notions. To sew is to be able to express one’s creativity.
Laura
I think it would have helped if you had classes. Fewer and fewer people are sewing. They are hungry for lessons. Also fabric get togethers where you display how your fabric can be used are a great way to sell fabric. I thought the store was impersonal.
I have always been treated poorly at both Hancock and Joanne fabrics. I have communicated with home office over the years. Explaining to them the unsmiling zombies that hate their jobs and shuffle their enormous containers up to the one or two only cash registers in the store would result in my not returning to the stores. WELL IF THIS NEWS ISN’T JUST WHAT I PREDICTED? The ZERO who is president of the corporation is to blame and I bet it is family owned. Try shopping Hobby Lobby, it is a christian based business that is the Neiman Marcus of sewing, crafting and shopping! Lots of registers and smiling employees.
Horrible news! Our Walmarts are already closed out of fabrics, a really convenient source of everything.With Hancock’s going too, I will have to drive 35 miles to a fabric store that serves a huge area already, put up with inconvenient hours, high prices, no sales, messy & overcrowded space. We have no Jo Anne’s or other chain, so online I may go too, for more. Nothing like spending a lunch hour break looking at patterns and feeling new fabrics for the season coming…There were plenty of places to get home dec nad furnishings items besides Hancock’s taking out so much fabric to make that space, sure doesn’t interest me!
When will corporate America get their act together? We, in the sewing world, will have to resort to online purchases without the serenely wonderful activity of wandering through a fabric store. Bad decision on the part of Hancock. I did like their stores over JoAnn’s. It appears the public is very vocal over their dismay at Hancock’s bankruptcy and the closing of at least half the stores. Perhaps someone ought to do performance reviews on senior management….???
Today I experienced yet another reason to miss the store that closed in our area . My daughter and I traveled to the Hancock store in Bloomington, Il. We will not be returning. We had to practically beg for my four year old grandson to be allowed to use the restroom and then when we were ready to check out we were informed that we would have to wait as there were only two staff members working. This would have been acceptable had it not been for the tone in which the message was delivered. the whole experience was not worth repeating. I learned first hand that the gossip that I heard from fellow shoppers that many people would travel to the Peoria,Il. store even though they lived closer to Bloomington. I am so thankful for the staff at JoAnns and I miss the friendly and helpful people at the former Hancocks in Peoria.
Since House of Fabrics closed and JoAnns has put others out of business, Hancocks was our only decent choice for fabric for clothing. Their notions are more extensive and much better. Stores are cleaner and more organized. I hate the idea that JoAnns will be our only resort for fabric for clothing. JoAnns’ selection is awful. Walls and walls of poly fleece. Like, who is going to wear that in Southern California? Disappointed.
I too almost always shop by feel of fabric, but here are two suggestions–Vogue Fabrics in Evanston IL has a subscription sample service and G street Fabrics in the DC area will send you samples.
Hancock was the only place in indianapolis to buy 100% wool. Now I’m going to deal with online stores–I am tired of crap product at Joanns
I want to know if the Store in Independence MO on Noland Road is going to close as I shop there a lot.The new Wal Marts does not carry fabric and they are talking about stopping at the other stores.+
I live in Lodi, Ca and drove to Stockton’s store. I found the ladies who worked there very knowledgeable and helpful. I didn’t care if they didn’t carry all those craft items that Joann’s did. If I wanted that I would have went there. Hancock had such nice fleece and material. I didn’t care if the store was older. When they closed down the Stockton store I never recieved another sales flyer. I could be driving to Sacramento 40 miles away to purchase my fleece. No wonder you are going bankrupt. Send us the flyers!
You have our address!!
Walmart had crappy fabric anyway. Not being a Walmart shopper to begin with, I don’t miss the fabric.
There is a nice Joann in our area, a superstore where I now work. I had worked at Hancock Fabrics, but the store manager was too hard in compliance.
Sorry to see so many stores closing. Enjoyed my time there. Nothing against the corp. Hope the “restructuring” helps keep it going..
I used to work for Hancock as an assistant manager and notion clerk… the “renovation” happened when one of the top executives was replaced with an executive from Jo-Ann. She came in and decided that we needed new shelving units (which made our store look like a JoAnn), we also got more yarn and more home accents. Hancock is going under because they have never done regional demographic studies to know what’s selling where and what isn’t selling. I heard through the grapevine that Wal-Mart has bought Hancock and will keep the name, which is why they are minimizing their in-store selections.
I got a flyer in the mail. What am I suppose to do? I can not find any stores close by. Cheyenne, Wyo does not have much in the way of affordable fabric, let alone a fabric store.
Pat… I’d contact Hancocks http://www.hancockfabrics.com/ and ask them to stop tormenting me with flyer’s when they have abandoned you. You could look for the same deals online but if you’re like me I totally enjoy walking through a fabric store to touch and feel fabric.
NESS – you are so right. I would have rather seen more notions, not furniture. Hancocks was in my backdoor and if they close it, I’ll have to go 75 miles to buy good thread or order my my supplies on line. I don’t like Walmart’s thread and their fabric and notions are pitiful.
Knoxville, Tn lost 2 Hancock stores. I agreee that Joanne’s is NOT a fabric store focus…more crafts…and when Hancocks started looking more them…none of us liked it. If we did we’d go to Joannes! We loved quality fabric selections, patterns, notions, friendly helpful sells people and classes offered. We have a Hobby Lobby here..but their fabric dept is tiny. We are left with no place close to go at all. As a very long time sewer, I am absolutely lost and now depressed!
Buffalo, NY. There is only one Hancock store in our area. I never went to it because I preferred to shop closer to where I live. We have four JoAnn stores all within close driving distance. They have a regular Monopoly here. I worked for them almost 10 years ago. They had quite a decent amount of very good fabric, until they increased the craft and home Dec department. Almost all the name brand fabric manufacturers could be found there. This is going way back, but Woolworth’s always had some really nice cottons when they were in business.
You could find some really nice Cranston prints there. I used to do a lot of garment sewing, until I started to concentrate on mostly quilting. The fabrics in JoAnn’s has changed so much over the years. To save money, they have started to sell fabric that says “Exclusively made for JoAnn fabrics”. Almost every bolt of fabric says “Made in China”. Quite a lot of it is junk. The trouble is, since they have the corner on the market here,
Our choices will have to be “take ir or leave it”. I have since changed my preference for JoAnn’s to my local quilt store. Yes the prices are a bit high, but if quality is what you want, it’s the best way to go. The only drawback to a store like this is the lack of a lot of different fabrics for garment sewing. Maybe big business shoud go back to caring about quality instead of huge profits. Look at where “Made in China” has gotten them.
Tho it is a shame that Hancock has decided to opt out of business, there are alternatives. I know a lot of people aren’t happy with JoAnn fabrics and crafts. However there is a little Mom and Pop store in Sun City West, AZ called Bob’s Variety. While there may not be quite the volumn of merchandise to pick from, there is quite a variety and decent sized collection of fabrics and notions as well as yarn to pick from. The store also has quite a menagerie of other goods ranging from hardware to baby items, patio furniture to undergarments, tons of spices for $1. If the store doesn’t have what you’re looking for, (which would be surprising,) it will be looked for to try and fill your order. There is also a Post Office! If you live within good driving distance of Sun City West, take time to look for the store located on Camino Del Sol and R.H. Johnson Blvd. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Ugh! I hadn’t heard about this! I’ll have to check & see if the closest store is still going to be sticking around (NW Austin). The “re-imaging” of a store is pretty common when things are going downhill. Montgomery Ward did it right before they went under and I remember one of my university teachers talking about how JC Penney was reinventing themselves and how, at that point, it was considered to be too little too late (that was in the early 90s…Penneys pulled it off!). Hopefully Hancocks will still be able to keep a core number of stores and if not then maybe they’ll get out of the game sooner rather than later. If so perhaps they’ll be able to still keep their online retail business. I love the store’s discount fabrics. It would be sad if they went under but it would open up the market for new competition for JoAnn Fabrics. I can’t think of any other nationwide fabric store chains out there. We shall see!
I like the variety of choices between Hancock, JoAnns and Wal-Mart. Right at the moment I believe all of these in my area are remaining open (I hope). I think Hancock should get rid of the furniture end–it’s expensive and it’s not a good fit. Stick to fabric, notions, etc. I don’t think their store renovations made any difference, it’s more convenience (where they decide to place their stores). They opened a new store on the wrong side of our city, spent a lot of money renovating the inside and out and then ended up closing it earlier this year because the location was wrong.
I don’t understand what is happening in the fabric store arena. I loved being able to “run” to Hancock’s which was only 3 miles away from my home. I loved their quilting fabrics and sewing notions. Why on earth would they close down? Denver Fabrics has also made a monumental mistake by kicking the quilters out of their store. They now cater only to the seamstresses and home decorators. No one loves us anymore, except high priced quilt stores : (
I hated Jo-Ann store especially the one in La Verne where I live. People there are rude and no help may be because there is no competition. Hancock store has the best selections and prices. Now I have to drive almost a 100 miles in order to go to Hancock store.
I had a very bad experience with ou Hancock Fabric in Bowling Green KY. I had been a very loyal customer of this store and have spent many hundreds of dollars there until last week. The store manager was very rude and offered no help what so ever. They took $10.00 from me for not having the original styrafoam in a serger I was returning. I had the original box and nothing else was missing. She never offered to help me with the problem I was having with the serger. Surely Hancock’s isn’t that bad off that they have to charge $10.00 for styrafome. That money just lost them hundreds of dollars in future sales from me because I refuse to step foot inside that store again. Close the store. Who Cares!!!!!!!!
I live in RC, Calif. Hancocks closed and the people at Joanns are very rude. Richards little fabric store on Vineyard and Baseline has been there forover 30 years. He is a little expensive but is always friendly and knowledgeable. I would rather pay a little more and get service with a smile the put up with the rude employees at Joanns.
I live in Georgia, and wondered what happened to some Hancocks stores. I guess they closed. The Area where I live has a Hancock store but selections of fabric are small. So I had to go to Joanns- who has a mor varied Selection.
My guess of why Hancock is having problems is not the individual stores but the Headquarters in Minnesota. They choose the fabrics and might be off in the tastes and likes of people.
It was very devastating for those of us living in or near Great Falls Montana. This was by far the best store with the best service I have seen for any fabric sales. I don’t like JoAnn’s either and it was a tremendous loss to a wide range of customers who come from miles around to shop there.
My mother in law and I drove over an hour today to go to Hancock Fabrics in El Dorado, AR…they were closed!! I had no idea anything was going with them. I sure hope the one in Monroe, LA doesn’t close…it’s an hour away, too, but at least there is one reasonably close. Living in a small town is hard especially when you sew or cross stitch or do any kind of craft. I was going to make some angels out of beads and wire but Wal-Mart had a VERY limited selection of beads and none of them were the ones I needed. If you can’t find it at Wal-Mart, then you are forced to drive at least an hour and a half just to get what you need. I am disabled and can’t travel a lot. So, now if I can’t get it at Wal-Mart, then I have nothing to do but sit around until I am able to travel to Hobby Lobby to get what I need.
Ok…I feel better now…I just needed to sound off, I guess. Thanks for letting me!! God Bless!!
I am very disappointed that so many Hancock’s are closed in my city. However, I must admit it was getting harder and harder to find what I am looking for there. They seem to specialize in quilting fabric and low-end prints. I would be so ecstatic if we had a store in Las Vegas that sold a large variety of quality fabrics for reasonable prices. My only choice now is Joann and I hate them. Their fabric is expensive, not a lot of choices and THE CUTTING LINES ARE UNBEARABLE!
Although my local Hancock is still open I won’t be sad to see it go. They hired me to teach knitting classes back in September and still haven’t paid me for the two classes I taught. The manager blames corporate and corporate is “unavailable” to answer any questions.
I recently retired from hancock after working for them for 29 years. I have seen many changes in that time but I agree with most of you that this is the worst. My co-workers and I have made suggestions to better our store but no one is listening. The store in Wisconsin was the original Northwest Fabrics store. This store is still open and doing business as usual. Very friendly and helpfull employees and a neat and clean store. I am sorry for all of you out there that have lost your stores. Keep your comments coming.
I love to sew and often purchase fabric from fabricland. My Pickering location closed about 4 years ago and I have to travel to another town that has a store. I also travel to Amhurst, NY and was sorry to see Hancock Fabric’s closed. Now there is only Joann’s. Everything is closing down in Canada too. I also like to feel the fabric before I buy, so on-line will take that away from us too. What are the sewer/crafter to do? Help is needed!
The hancock in Montgomery AL. just moved locations and carries more quilting fabric than I thought possible. The brand new WalMart (also the largest built) doesn’t carry fabric. I think all that room was so they could sell more garbage cans.
The best fabric store I have every been in was in Okinawa Japan. If you needed Italian Silk you would pay alot, but you could get it. Tons of embroidered fabric from all over the world. I’m moving to Germany this summer and I hope they have some good fabric stores near me. I hate buying fabric online. It doesn’t have the same feel.
I know one reason Hancocks is hurting – poorly trained personnel. I went in one day looking for batiks they advertised on sale. I couldn’t find them, asked a sales person, her face lit up like she knew what I was talking about and led me to BATISTE.
My local walmart is also phasing out fabrics, the closest Hancocks and JoAnn’s is 120 miles away. Saturday I stopped in at Hancocks and was surprised at their lack of inventory. I asked an employee about it and she told me they were changing suppliers. I was astonished this morning when I went on their online website and discovered they had filed bankruptcy. I sew clothing and it is very difficult to find quality clothing fabric. Nothing can be made spontaneously because getting fabric requires a long trip or waiting for weeks to receive a shipment in the mail. I am distressed that yet another source for a seamstress has not survived. I know it is because there are few people that sew clothing, most sew quilts, crafts and home decor. (There seem to be plenty of quilting shops available) I think there is little or nothing that can be done from a public point unless we all make an extra valiant effort to purchase fabric and keep them in business, it’s all hinged on supply and demand. If the public needs the service the service will be provided. Obviously the service is not needed and I am afraid that all small stores that supply fabric for clothing will eventually go under. Thank goodness for internet businesses! It requires planning but one can send for samples, or join a swatch club. Quality fabrics are available. Sewing is not dead yet.
P.S. “sewer” is not a person who sews but is a conduit of underground pipe that carries sewage.
Could it be that one of the reasons that some of the stores are closing is because of “lack of acknowledgment” to frequent customers. I have purchased fabric, lace, buttons and other items from Hancocks with little or no thanks, so matter how much money was spent. I am have purchasing items from this store for 9 years. I would go to Omaha, but this would be a 30 mile round trip.
I am a beginner sewer. I make occasional items that I can not find in store. These are mostly costume items. I’ll research an item on line, make my own pattern and then figure out how much of what I need to make it. my finial fabric choice is nto made till i get to the store. I have to see and touch the fabric to figure out what I need. Not having a store to do that means that I would figure out what I need. You can list all the specifications you want in an online add but it means nothing to me. I know what Fleece and Canvas are but beyond that I need to see it. The same goes for patterns. I need to see it and figure out if it is with in my skill level. Not everything can be done by e-ommerce.
I, too,am so disappointed about the closings of the fabric stores, and especially Wal-Mart’s decision to close their fabroc section.Our quilt store also recently closed. Before my granddaughter was born 23 years ago, I happened upon a small fabric store while driving, so I stopped in, they had the most wonderfull quilting fabric, which I bought to make a quilt.Now, this granddaughter is expecting, and we – yes she sews – are trying to find good material for her baby, but are very disappointed by the lack of selection and qality we have been able to find. Her baby quilt has stood the test of time, it looks almost brand new, the fabric does not have any wear or tear. Our Wal-Mart did have some name brands of material from time to time, now we have no store nearby. I did look online, but have not found anything suitable for a baby quilt, and like a lot of you, I would like to feel the fabric before I buy it. But we are not giving up, I know there are alot of places on the internet, we’ll fing it eventually – hopefully before the baby arrives. Lol
Hancock hires rude unhelpful old women in their stores who are arrogant and smart aleck, at least in the Memphis area. Their stores are now full of junk too. They are raising the prices of the fabric that they have. I am so disapointed.
I too am very upset about Wal Mart & hancock Fabrics. I am a professional seamstress & costumer & I find it very upsetting that I have to spend almost an hour one way drive to get sewing supplies. I live in the small town of Zachary an we are surrounded by small towns in La & Miss that use to buy a lot of fabric from Wal Mart not to mention the Hancock in North Baton Rouge on Airline. They have closed Hancock and are in thr process of deleting all fabrics at ALL Wal Marts.That is according to the main office in Arkansas. It is a shame that there are no considerations for normal people anymore.
I regret this news. Hancocks would do so much better if they were more organized and friendly. Every time I go it is difficult to shop because the store is such a mess. It seems the employees need help getting the store organized and keeping it that way. Also, I find that some of them appear to be very aloof and uninterested in helping me. Unhappy employees can indicate that management must not be treating them very good.
Is it not amazing that JoAnn Fabrics just seems to keep on keeping on? The fact that they keep carrying less and less fabric with higher and higher prices for everything that they sell. The only way one can find fabric at a reasonable price is find GOOD outlets and out of the way parts of the country.
I am sad to hear about some of the stores closing. I am looking to bring my fashion idea’s to life, trying to find someone to help me bring my fashions to reality, or even sew for me. Hancock, has really nice materials and reasonable too. There is one Hancock store in my neighborhood in North Sacramento, I hope that it do not close, because I am just starting out. I just love the selections.
I would like to see the Hancock open a store in El Dorado or Camden, Arkansas again. I love to sew, and spend about $400.00 a month in the El Dorado store when it was open. I can’t go to your other store unless someone takes me, I could drive to El Dorado, please open us another store. We’re getting a new super center from Wal Mart, but no one know is they will have material, plus you didn,t have as good of choice of your store. I sew for 9 girls in my family, sure do miss you.
I have been sewing for over 40 years and will truly miss Hancock.
They had a good quality of fabric not like the other leading fabric stores.
I think if they had stayed with fabric and not the furniture they would still be here serving us.
You may also check out hobby lobby for fabrics & craft items.
I am wheelchair bound. On 9/26/2008 I entered the hancock fabric store 1422 located at 628 ne 81st suite A in Vancouver,WA.98665 phone # 360-573-2992
I was able to get in the front door but was denied access to the rest of the store. the store is dirty,too packed with “stuff” and the employees made no attempt to assist me.
Employee told me there was nothing they could do.
I have been browsing through comments about Hancocks closing. I read comments that are silly: “Shame on Hancock Fabrics and Walmart for stranding us sewers”. “no consideration” etc. It sounds like most people have nooooooo idea that business is not like government or a charity. Incredible! GUESS why the big eternally lowest price Walmart is closing down the fabric section! Guess again! There ain’t no money in it ladies, cuz you aren’t getting it: it COSTS money to get the stuff for you and all you want is even lower price??????? OH! And they don’t have exactly what you WANT, that too. You sound like you have NO idea 1) how hard it is to survive on a product that has so very little profit margin, barely enough to keep the doors open, the floor swept and the (remember underpaid=unhappy) staff paid. Yes, paid, just like the bread winner in your home. 2) Fabric and sewing retail stores do not have a 400%+ margin like jewelry and furniture, there is only 10-15% wiggle room, to EITHER give away in a sale, coupons etc, OR use to improve and invest in more selection!!! Did you not know when there is a 50% off sale, they ARE giving it away, AND paying staff from NO profit to pput it in your hands?? HAH, wait till the end of the sale, like a comment I read – SOOO smart, put the store into a loss, they deserve it!!! They should have sold it to you at that price before, and you would have bought it then. I have actually heard someone say that!!! (Doesn’t America have the lowest Math skills in the world? Proof right there.) We have all been soooo conditioned to thinking the most important thing is finding the lowest price. Start thinking of FAIR price!!! OF COURSE stores go out of business when they cannot compete because they don’t have the money to offer exactly what you demand now, cannot afford to GIVE the product to you! Would your family want a pay cut? It seems in union driven consumeristic America, you don’t get it: employees are hired by who?? American (I hope) employers!!!!!!! Your family depends on a JOB, on employers!! Forget the financial fat cats, they will get their just reward like what happened to the market this week. PLEASE support any business that does not sell chinese undercutting inferior products that are not made in America or Canada or even Europe. Tell them you appreciate certain staff, be a good customer by telling them what you would like to see them have, GET INVOLVED! Wise retailers do listen, but they can’t when it’s too late – by then they are cutting their losses, totally demoralized – by you the consumer!!!!! Purchase what they have and design from that! If it was groceries you were hungry for, you would make a wonderful creative dinner with what you can buy that day. Support your local business to help them survive, and they will gladly work with all their customers to stay in business – it’s their job, and for small business, it’s their passion. (Too much work for the pay) Figure it out ladies: if the bug guys can’t make it, it is going to be impossible for anyone, like my own small business! Think!!!! We are not a charity. We NEED a paycheck too. I need to pay my fabulous employees. I need to pay the rent, AND pay for what I BOUGHT FOR YOU!!! Get it? Yes? What can you do you ask? Try to Buy with any of the better “ingredients” available, to sew longer lasting items with creativity and passion for people you love, who need a job too. Tell others to support the store you want to survive. Because it is REALLY a matter of survival. It’s a cycle!!! Otherwise America, look forward to the results of selfish, lowest price attitude: businesses go under like dominoes, and YOU ALL won’t have jobs!!!!! Think, America! EH? I’m “just” a Canadian, and furious that so many people, even sewers, have lost the ability to think, and when they do it’s all about self, not – be honest- community or country. Has America lost the truth about “do unto others as you would do to yourself”? Are we getting what we deserve? EH?
Oh please do not close any more stores. I am a quilter as well as a sewer in general. Everybody is having a hard time finding fabrics. I live in east Texas and the nearest hancock fabrics is in Shreveport, La. This is about a hour and a half drive from my house.Put in a new store in Center, Texas(this would be fabulous)Thanks, Nelda Worthington
Please note – the original news item regarding Hancock Fabrics closures is from 2007. The company has emerged from bankruptcy – and is in the process of updated ALL of its stores. (The update and remodeling will take a couple of years to reach all stores.)
I don’t know why this article has recently resurfaced – but if you look at the dates, at the top of the article, you’ll see what I mean.
~~ Walmart is closing their fabric dept ~~!!!!
I wish they would ??? Never mind !!!!!
This is the BIG reason I go to walmart FABRIC
Years ago K-mart had a NICE sewing dept,,,, Some collage dummmmmmmeeee came along and tryed to upscale like mall stores, They went under… GREED !!!!
HANDCOCK I MISS U….
2 OF THE LADIES THAT WORKED AT THE STORE MOM & I WENT 2 CAME TO MOM’S FUNERAL…. WE NEVER SAW THESE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE STORE…
YOU DON’T FIND THIS IN BIG TOWNS OFTEN…
When our hancock remodeled I was thrilled. Then I realized that outside of decorator fabrics it had nothing for me. I don’t need the chairs, lamps, etc but a good piece of fabric would be nice. You have an excellent choice of fleece but there are other fabrics besides fleece. The other day I went through the whole store looking for a cotton/polyester blend–none. But if I want junk fabric for some hidiously ugly costume I know where to go. Just because we sew doesn’t mean that we do not want quality. And with clothing prices more and more people are looking to make quality outfits for less. Joanns is the only store we have left. Thanks.
I had to laugh at Diane from the Memphis area saying that Hancocks only hires rude old unhelpful women. It’s so true! When I was a teenager I worked at Hancocks and the same mean old bats who worked there then are still there working today. They think they know more than anyone and they act like they’re doing you a favor by cutting fabric.
About a year ago, I had a long conversation with the district manager about why all the fabric was so bizarrely outdated and useless, and they don’t carry basic things like wool suiting, any kind of silk, or chintz. There’s a big revival of interest in floral applique using chintz, but no chintz. Instead there were a whole bunch of 1970’s themed ugly fabrics. He explained to me that Hancocks has experts who are much better than customers at knowing what the customers want, and that they don’t listen to actual customers. OOOkay! It was like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, nothing he said made any kind of sense. No wonder they are struggling.
The remodeling makes no kind of sense either. What these stores needed was new computers so that they can ring up customers in a reasonable amount of time, plus new cutting tables with grooves so that they don’t waste fabric by cutting crooked. Oh, they got new cutting tables – no grooves. And new computers – even slower, they have to type in 42 numbers to identify each type of fabric and if the fabric isn’t listed they can’t check you out. It takes literally an hour to get checked out there. The new products are mostly seasonal garbage no one could possibly want, plus really cheap import furniture. I overheard two employees discussing why anyone on earth would want to purchase a plaster frog statue that hangs by its feet. There was a whole shelf of these frogs. And the fabric selection is even less than before. Hello – it’s a fabric store!
I’m glad Joann’s is coming to Memphis, maybe with some competition Hancocks will be forced to shape up.
Hi, Well I guess it would be out of the question to ask that they build a store in my area of Lacey ,Wa. We only have Joanne’s and would like to give them some competion, we dislike very much shopping there so we would really like to have a choice. they do have great coupons though! anyway I’m glad Tacoma Wa and Billings Mt are not on there closomg list.
I am ticked. I was in their Joliet store on Friday night. No indication of closing. I call today to check on something and they told me they were packing the store and had to be out by Friday. The location had already been leased! The employees had no forwarning like the past store closings. Only 2 of the supervisors were offered a different position
Does anyone know if all the stores are closing? My store was not on the original list of 30, but I noticed that some of the fabrid they had on sale was much lower than I have ever seen it.
We have one Hancocks left. The others have all closed and Joann’s keeps opening more. Sorry to see Hancock’s go and the store we have left has decreased their fabric inventory and the fabric they have is not the quality it use to be. More than half the store is decorating items. I don’t buy Joann’s fabric, and we have lost quilting stores as well. Sorry to see them all go and wish we had a quilting store near by for classes. As for now, I will take classes and buy fabric online. Hancock’s should have taken a few lesson’s from Joann’s to understand what was making them successful but still sell quality fabric. I don’t understand why all the decorating furniture and nick nacks….what was Hancock’s thinking? The customer service at all three Hancocks in the past were all very nice. Never a problem.
i think i have to drive a long way to go to Hancock Fab store,just to look for fabric tha is less cheaper and more selection.
“Karin Sturgill says: I live in Georgia, and wondered what happened to some Hancocks stores. I guess they closed. The Area where I live has a Hancock store but selections of fabric are small. So I had to go to Joanns- who has a mor varied Selection. My guess of why Hancock is having problems is not the individual stores but the Headquarters in Minnesota.”
Karin, I’m not sure why this would be so since Hancock’s corporate offices just two states west of you in Baldwyn, MS. While Minnesota Fabrics which was bought by Hancock over a decade ago was indeed in Minnesota, the corporate offices there were closed (probably for the worse). I think what is at issue is how it’s been run over the past few years, which would be Mississippi.
Dear Debbie,
I! jus read about Hancock’s problems. They! always have a nice selection of material. They’re prices are abso;utely outrageous. Why! pay $6.00 a yard for flannel,when you can buy it for $3.00 a yard. I! also think W-Mart made a big mistake closing out they’re fabric dept. in one pf our two stores in Hot Springs,Ar.
I’m the quilting teacher for the Dearborn Heights Rec. Dept. My students always complained that the Dearborn store was too messy. They didn’t like to go there.
Looks like Hancock’s executives made a decision based strictly on business — quite natural for execs. High gas prices probably contributed to their problems. They probably opened the craft sections because the fabrics weren’t bringing in
enough to make a decent profit. It’s a very sad
situation. It’s true the world is changing and the
only thing left to do is change with it. People aren’t driving as much because of prices at the pump; they have adjusted accordingly. Perhaps, this is another case where sewers can get together and carpool to a fabric store; or several can chip in to buy online samples? You know we will keep sewing so the challenge is before us. It’s all about finding a new way to do things. We are enterprising, creative, innovative people — there must be a way; let’s find it (ask and ye shall receive.)
Many blessings to all,
Pastor: Chapel of Light
As I was reading these comments, I’m totally appalled by “EH?’s” diatribe against the shopper.
First, Mr. Store Owner, I don’t expect you to GIVE me anything, but I DO expect you to stock what I WANT, NOT what you’ve found cheap from your wholesalers. You may think that bright orange and pink silk shantung is pretty, but most of us can’t wear those colors, and really DO NOT want to sew items we’d never wear.
Second, Mr. Store Owner, had places like Hancocks ever taken the time to consult with its largest customers (and oh yes they DO know who these people are – you really think we’re too stupid to figure out that they’ve mined our names, etc., from our credit and debit cards) about what is wrong or right with their stores.
Third, Mr Store Owner, instead of bitching constantly about your customers, why don’t you remember that all of these women (and men) here who commented are all seamstresses in one form or another. We all make our own clothing (I even design my own, make my patterns, then sew), and we know what we like. I’ll bet you if Hancocks had ever, EVER, talked to any (or all) of us, they’d find out that we ALL WANT THE SAME THING. We’re perfectly willing to pay a FAIR price, but we aren’t willing to be ripped off, and we’d like clean, organized stores to shop in.
Frankly, I don’t think that’s much to ask.
I agree with every post, unlike a lot of you, I don’t like to shop Hancocks. I hate the decor stuff, the fabric selection is poor at best. The embroidery, knitting stuff is just like the cheap junk sold elsewhere. I’m sorry to see a local fabric source go out of business.
As for greedy WalMart? Well, here is a store philosophy that has lost site of the customer and our needs.
I was very disappointed to find out that hancock fabrics is closing, just like sofro,minnesota fabrics, and all the other stores, seems like joann fabric is almost becoming a monopoly, pretty soon that will be the only fabric store left and with that, there will be no competition and we will all be stuck paying higher prices for all that fabric from china,
I do all my fabric buying at Hancock’s. I love their selection of fleece to make throws. They are very reasonable too. I also buy wood items to paint and give as gifts. I wish they wouldn’t close–I will miss the store terribly!!!!
If Hancock closes and Wal-Mart discontinues the craft and fabric departments, that will only leave Hobby Lobby here. And they do not have a complete selection. I love to sew and this is making my hobby very difficult. Not everything can be bought and the quality is not always there. We do not have a Joanns here either.
I wish they would reconsider.. This is going to be a loss to us that are sewing and I have a nice machine that I saved for a long time to buy.
I had just about found Hancock when it closed. I loved the store and the sales folks were reaslly helpful. One time I needed extra fabaaric. I called the store, described it and they took a look. Lo and Behold, they had a little bit left. They put it aside and I soon went to pick it up.
Then, our local Wal-mart closed. I liked their fabrics for little crafty stuff, but nota for cloathing. Also, their paterns were always half price. A second store, a little further away also closed when a third one opened. We have bee told that store #2 will be rebult as a Wal Mart Super Store, but I don’t have much hope for a fabric section.
I hate Jo-Ann’s. They seem to be far more into home decor than fabrics, altho they have quite a bit of quilting fabric.
I live outside of philly, and there is a fantastic “fabric row”. Just about anything you could want. Haowever, it is an all day adventure, best shared with friends. Bring your credit card, because you will probably send much more than you would at the regular stores, since everything is wholesale.
hancock in Joliet, IL closed down and the Johann Fabrics in town is not worth going to. Please reopen the one in Joliet and give all of us serious sewers and decent fabric store and not a craft store!!!!!!!! I have to travel to another town 30 min. away now if I want to make me a new outfit! Joliet is too big of a city to not have a Fabric store!
There is one Hancock Fabrics in Arizona, it is in Mesa. I live at least 30 miles from this location while still in the Phoenix metro area. I don’t have any youngsters to teach to sew. My daughter (29) sews little; always leaving me her sewing to do. I haven’t got grandchildren yet but I try to encourage as many young people to sew that I meet. I really miss Hancock Fabrics. It was always less expensive than Joannes; I shop there a little as possible. I began sewing at the age of ten and am 51 now. My sewing skills have increased as well as my interests. I do home dec sewing and apparel. I sewed may daughter’s baby clothes and have decorated her bedroom from infancy to adult. I have decorated her entire home with my projects as she picked out the fabrics. It’s been very difficult recently, finding exactly what I want, very disappointing.
I have to agree with some of the comments about the quality of fabrics, the old 70s fabrics and the un-needed furniture and accessories. The execs were not in touch with what the customers needed. I also can agree with what the person from Canada said about consumers only wanting lower prices. I am not one of those who shops at Walmart, I actually refuse to ever shop in one. I don’t like the way they do business and I wont buy cheep Chinese products. Walmart has put many companies out of business who would have provided shoppers with quality goods right here in America. They’ve even told venders to move their businesses to China and then they can do business together. I don’t know if there are ANY textile producers here in the US anymore. I think all of those companies have moved overseas. Unfortunately we’ve priced ourselves out of jobs by demanding too much. I know very well what it’s like to be in a financial mess. I was one of those women whose husband abandoned his family and got away with not ever paying child support. This is why so many women needed to make more money than the business wanted to pay, she is the only support. Our federal government now has changed the laws and they go after the dead-beat dad. It’s a sad situation that lead the jobs out of the country but it was also greed on the part of the employer. I think now is a perfect time to bring back the home economics classes and the shop classes back into the schools. So few of our children can even repair a dripping faucet,or change out the wiper blades on a car. Even fewer can cook their own meal or sew on a button. Everyone wants new or lables. My parents (gone now) were teenagers during the Depression. They taught every one (seven children) of us how to build a house, cook a meal, sew, and repair our cars. I have passed on some of this knowlege to my daughter who has remodeled her bathrooms, landscaped her yard, rewired two lamps and sewed a dress for herself. I still here and I’m continuing her education. I don’t want future generations to forget or be at the mercy of the (possibly) crooked plumber or mechanic. If you do it yourself it’s economical and it yields a pride in onesself that you cannot get anywhere else. If we know how to do it ourselves we become smarter consumers. Ah, I am digressing, apologies. I also agree with the devision of craft stores and fabric stores. The Joannes Etc near my home has decreased it’s fabric selections and opted for more craft supplies. I thought crafters liked to make their own greeting s cards but this one has two whole isles of greetings cards, I think American Greetings brand. What are they thinking? Just three doors down is a Halmark store so, it looks as if the same execs from Hancocks are now working for Joannes.
I too sorry about the closing of Hancocks Fabrics which I thought there prices are more reasonable and better fabric selection than Joann Fabrics. Will they ever open any in the Detroit? I hope Wallmart put fabrics in all their stores.
If corporate america is more worried abort how much money they make than the little people i feel sorry for them. I’ve been been sewing for a long very long time,and I’m very disappointed in both Wal-Mart and Hancock.
I am wondering how Hancock’s is coming along after reorganizing and closing stores two years ago. There are two stores in approximately the same location in the Birmingham, Al area, but no service to the rest of the metro/suburban area. I was hoping, that after reorganizing, they might branch out and open some new stores, even if small ones, in new markets. In my situation, with Walmart closing out their piecegoods dept, and no small independent sewing/fabric stores to speak of, I have to drive about 20 miles just to get mundane items like thread and zippers. I know women do not sew like our mothers did, but there will always be a market for simple items for repair and maintenance of purchased garments and household goods. I really wish some company would step in and show an interest
Hello, nice to meet you all!
OK, I am totally frustrated about the retail fabric issue in Canada. I just moved to Kelowna BC from Vancouver last August, and other than ONE Fabricland, there is NOWHERE here to buy fabric. And of course Walmart closed their textile department. Fill me in, Fabricland is owned by Hancock, yes? And Hancock is going under, yes? That leaves NOWHERE to buy fabric in Kelowna, and I’m sure allot of other smaller cities.
I want to be sure about the Fabricland thing, because I am about to invest my life savings in a really great fabric and yarn store here ASAP! Thanks
Lisa
5.08.2009 Hancock has turned its business around and will be remodeling and opening more stores. I work in a HF store and customers tell me they come to HF because it has more fabric and selection than other stores. In the current economy, surviving in retailing is a challenge. You can go to the HF website and read their SEC filings to see how they are doing!
I’m not surprised. The people who work in gthe Hancock’s close to me have no people skills. the only reason I ever go in there is because it’s the only fabric store within 35 miles. Maybe JoAnn Fabric will come to our town.
Trying to find quality fabric is like looking for needle in a haystack and that might be easier. Who wants decorating furniture in a fabric store. Crafts and such Michael’s has but where is the fabric. I don’t sew dresses from quilting fabric.
I always preferred Hancock stores because of the knowledgable staff they had at the store I frequented. It is very sad.
I cannot believe that Wal Mart in Orange has
done away with handcock fabric. Orange,
Will now have to shop in Nederland or Beaumont, Texas.
I also loved the rooster cutting boards and now they do not even carry them.
What’s happening with Orange,Texas Super
Wal Mart?
That’s sad. I couldn’t afford to buy to much there given my budget, but they always had a nice bargain material assortment. Usually enough nice material to make a blouse…sorry to hear that.
I agree with #1 comment from Ana.I live 20-25 miles from any larger city that carries fabric. When our local WalMart became a big super center they stopped carrying fabrics. Imagine the only store in town that carried fabrics and they quit. Sounds really non-intelligent to me. Now any of us fabric lovers have to make half a day shopping trip when if we had somewhere like Hancocks to go to it would save time and gas and frustration.
Judy
I have been sewing for myself and my family for 40 years. I grew up in a time when doing something for yourself made sense. And you know what? IT STILL DOES. Especially now, in serious economic troubles in this country, now more than ever it makes sense.
I am completely disappointed in Walmart here in Tracy, CA closing it’s fabric center. But then, I don’t use Walmart to purchase fabric for clothing or home decor;
I prefer Hancock Fabrics, or other of the larger stores for those types of purchases (but not Joann’s). Walmart sold out America a long time ago. 20 years ago, Walmart only sold American made. Now it only sells the cheap junk from overseas.
I’ve noticed over the last 15 or so years that the fabric is getting cheaper and the dyes run — other countries do not have our dye and ink standards that we do. The patterns that come out of China look exactly what they are — CHEAP.
When will corporate America learn to ask it’s customers what they want? I don’t want craft supplies from my fabric store. I don’t want decorating items from my fabric store. In fact, I only want a great selection of good quality fabrics, notions, patterns and sewing supplies.
HAVEN’T FOUND THAT IN YEARS. CORPORATE AMERICA IS DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND.
Stop selling out American workers and products. (Next, it’ll be American services.)
Stop being chintzy… it’s better to buy good quality and pay a little more than to have to keep replacing the cheap stuff that doesn’t last. Besides, I think everyone has already noticed that buying cheaply made doesn’t REALLY cost any less — it just means a larger profit margin for the corporations.
Joann’s only carries fabric in 10-yard bolts now. Sheesh. Ever tried to sew full-length draperies with only 10-yard lengths??? LMAO
Buying online is risky. You can’t truly see the quality (or not) of the fabric. You can’t feel it. You can’t judge its ability to drape correctly. You can’t even get a true color match. It also takes too damn long and I hate shipping costs.
I will miss Hancock Fabrics. However, as an entrepreneur (and this one knows how to do it right, while at the same time having some social and economic responsibility)… if anyone here is interested, as a group, with enough of us, we can start our own. : ) If you’re interested, let me know.
I taught both of my daughters to sew, and will teach anyone who is interested. But both daughters are disappointed that they do not have the opportunity to use it, with nowhere to purchase the products they need — they have MANY FEWER CHOICES than we did.
You see, corporate America doesn’t want you to know how to do it yourself (for anything)…that would mean that one would realize that you can make it better… you make it uniquely yours (not a gazillion of the same cookie-cutter items that 1/2 the women in the same room are wearing)…. get the picture? YOU WOULDN’T BE DEPEPENDENT. Independence is a no-no these days.
In the meantime, those who do not know how are paying exhorbitant prices for cheap goods… and at the same time make another country extremely wealthy while this nation is floundering economically.
I agree wholeheartedly with an earlier comment I saw here… we need to go back to teaching home economics, shop, wood shop, crafting and other great courses in our schools. Not everyone can do well in a job sitting at a computer. But more importantly, those types of courses teach CREATIVITY, Independence, self-confidence… and you learn a lot about how things work and are put together. : )
Well, I’ll stop ranting now, or else the rant will take tangents (since all of kind of thing affects many more other things).
-k
I work for hancocks and hope to make a career because like so many i visited a store loved the atmosphere the people and still do but i am so dissapointed because we are requested to sell a product that doesn’t meet our standards. I can sell just about anything when i believe its a good product and would buy it for myself. we had the bobbin winder on sell i bought one i love it i have sold one to anyone who i thought would benefit the use of it. i love so many pairs of scissors we use and if i use a pair i bUy them and can sell them to urs customers and they expect us to always tell them our honest opion i hope that you know what i am talking about. i tried the product they wouldn’t cut through trim for curtain and i had a hard time cutting material please reconsider your request because when the customer believes in us they will accept our suggestions and return without us doing a refund and them being unhappy! thankyou so very much our store is new beautiful and walmart has stopped selling the great products we provide. pride honesty and the friendships we make improves our sale quotas the best way the WORD OF MOUTH! THEY NOW WE CAN TRUST US TO GIVE OUTSTANDING SERVICE.
They carried too many things outside the sewing area. Plus some of the flat fab. they had was junk.