Is Your Local Hancock Fabric Store Closing?
Tuesday March 27, 2007
Last week, Hancock Fabrics Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which will keep its creditors from pursuing lawsuits against the corporation as it reorganizes its business. Hancock has also been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. The corporation announced in February that it would close 30 stores, and now 104 more are on their way out. I shopped at the store nearest me if I needed Kona cottons or denim, since that particular store rarely had other fabrics I would use for quilting, and I don't normally sew garments. In many small to medium sized towns, Hancock is often the only fabric store choice, especially now that WalMart has decided to do away with most of its fabric departments. Do the Hancock closings affect you as a quilter or as a seamstress, or will you even notice they are gone?
P.S. -- The popular Hancock's of Paducah is an entirely different company, so don't confuse the two!
Comments
Hi,
The store near me is in Waco and is closing. From what I’ve read it is the low performing stores that are closing.
The Waco store used to be a wonderful store before they moved in to another building. Then for some reason, someone decided Hancock’s should go in the furniture business, which I believe was a fatal mistake. The Waco store had furniture all up front and customers had to navigate through that to get to the fabric. The store has tons fleece, enough to cover Texas! Also, it was in a messy condition, dirty floors, etc.
I’ve heard a rumor that JoAnn’s is going to stop selling fabric - don’t know if that is true, and I haven’t been to the Waco store yet to ask. I hope that isn’t true. If that happens that will leave only Hobby Lobby and two quilt stores.
Will I miss Hancocks? Probably not, not in the condition it was in. It wasn’t a pleasure to shop there.
My Hancocks store is in Rancho Cucamonga CA. I was saddened to hear of it’s intention to close. I enjoyed shopping there as they usually had a better selection of fabric than JOANNS. The personnel in this store were not the friendliest, nor were they quick to assist you, but I did enjoy the fabric “hunt” for charity quilts. I’m sorry to see it go. That leaves Joanns and a couple of high end quilt shops in my area. I hope it doesn’t come down to online fabric buying. I will miss the touch of fabric and the creative spark that comes when you walk thru a row of beautiful fabric…..sigh…..
Our Plainfield store in Grand Rapids Michigan is closing. I am going to miss this store, the staff is always very friendly, extremly helpful and always more than happy to help a new sewer/quilter like me! We have another fabric store down the road but their customer service is no where near Hancocks
Kathy Kurth
The Scrapbook Store
www.thescrapbookstore.net
What is happening to all the fabric stores. I live in Southampton,Pa. There is only one Hancocks in this area and it is not close by. The only fabric stores are Walmart and .JoAnns .. Where do we go when they go out? What ever happened to competition in the Stores. I keep hearing that people don’t sew much anymore. I find that hard to believe. We need better selections of fabrics and at a decent price I for one have a difficult time finding nice fabrics for the projects I want to make. I make clothing, home projects and crafts. It’s getting harder and harder. I’m sure there are many people just like me out there. Help the sewing people!!!! Thanks for listening.
I do not have a Hancock’s close enough to me to matter, but it did hurt me tremendously when Walmart quit selling fabric. But it did give me an opportunity to visit several privately owned fabric stores in my area and found them to be very friendly. The selections were awesome and the prices weren’t as bad as I had expected. I don’t understand why all these stores are quitting the fabric departments. Do they know something we don’t?
We have a Hancock store here in Douglasviile, GA and they are on their way out too. I personally think if they had provided excellent customer service for their customers, they would have had a booming business. But who wants to have to hunt up someone to ring up a purchase or even to get help? I will miss them in our area, but what’s to miss with the customer service? Whay was it like that in all their stores?
One Hancock Fabrics in Morrow Ga has already closed. I go to the one in Douglasville Ga when I can. There are no fabric stores close to me the closest is JoAnns and Hobby Lobby in Fayetteville. The Hancock Fabrics was my favorite fabric store friendly people and great selection of fabrics. I will definately miss it. The Hobby Lobby is my preferred store much friendlier people and they know how to cut fabric. JoAnns cuts down to the barest inch and doesn’t leave room for shrinkageor crooked cuts. The Quilt Shop near me closed I really liked the owner but the prices were beyond me as are the other quilt shops around here. I would much prefer to shop there. But just can’t swing it. I rarely buy fabrics in Walmart anyway. They also don’t know how to cut properly and the quality just isn’t there anymore. I may buy muslin or interfacing that seems to be the same all over.
Looks like we are going to be forced to go to the internet. But with shipping included not much savings there and I don’t get to play with the fabrics or see the true colors. Its sad with all the fabric stores closing. I also do clothes, household sewing,quilts and beds and things for our pets
The Hancock Fabrics near me closed last year. There are still one or two others in nearby communities, but not convenient. I do have a JoAnne’s close and a favorite little quilt shop, so while the closing really did not affect me, I was sad to see it close.
I have shopped ecxtensively at the Hancock store in Naples, Fla and Springfield, Il. bothhave knowledgeable personell, are good about answering questions and eager to please. I am so disappointed we may not have them in the area. Walmart in Springfield does not have fabric or many notions, theJoann”s is so messay and cluttered you do not want to go inside. Also quality has dropped.
We are blessed with good quilt shops in the area but the prices are higher but quality is excellent. I always shop the sales when possible.
the manager of the Naples store was very good about hiring but I know renting facilities were not the best. Hacock started as a drapery furniture store but some shops carry more furniture than others. I am thankful forr them.
Besides Walmart which carries only a fraction of what a sewer/quilter really needs, we have only Hancock’s in Charlotte NC. We have a couple of fabric stores that cater to drapery etc.and Hobby Lobby which carries a better quilting section and nicer fabric, but to find all those needful things - we only have Hancock’s. I do hope we do not lose ours. What has happened to all the fabric shops? I know from chatting with internet groups that we spend LOTS of money. I wish I knew what was going on too.
We lost hancocks sometime ago and are now losing all Walmart material. Such a shame just joanns and hobby lobby near either to high in price or not enough variety.
The only Hancock Fabrics I ever went to is/was in Rhode Island - Pawtucket or Providence I believe - the store was a disaster - not clean - fabric bolts not neat and put away, etc. so I for one am not surprised at the news. I work at an independent quilt/fabric store in the Boston area, and if we let our store go like they had, we would be gone too.
I just hope the Hancock’s in Charlotte is not closing. I will miss it. Good selection, good service, good prices. I quilt a lot. … I guess it’s time to really stock up!! …Susan
The Hancocks near my home in Macomb, Mi, is closing. We still have JoAnns, Wallmarts, and several quilt stores but Hancocks is the only store that offered a large selection of fashion fabric at a reasonable price. I will miss the store.
If our Hancock closes here, Alexandria, La then that will leave us with a quilt shop. WalMart and Hobby Lobby and most of that is for quilting suppplies, altho Hobby Lobby does have a good selection of homedecor fabric. This will leave us with no nice garment fabric which is very important. I have had many people tell me that the service at our local Hanclock is not good and the people are not helpful. But yes I would certainly miss them. Hope they do decide to leave the store here as I do have to go there a lot for my supplies.
Good Morning, Sorry to hear about the Hancocks closing - with quilting as popular and growing as it is, you would think that there would be more store openings. In reading the previous comments, I see where some of the Wal-Mart stores are getting rid of material - the one near me has a good selection of material and other needed supplies. Thanks
I shop frequently at our Hancocks for garment fabrics and quilting. I really hope that our store will not be closing. The people are friendly; the store is clean; and they DO know how to use a ruler to cut fabric. I’m not sure how we pass our craft down to the next generation if this trend continues. I want to “FEEL” the fabric before buying.
I live in Milwaukee, WI and I am going to miss the Hancock that is closing. The fabric was different from Jo-Anns and I felt it was better fabric. The help was just great. Friendly help is hard to come by these days so it was nice to go into a store where they helped and had a smile….we have another one to go to but the help is not like the one which is closing.
They have already closed 2 stores on the northside of San Antonio, Tx, and the Walmarts up here have also stopped the material. We still have a JoAnn and Hobby Lobby and a great quilt store Creative Sewing.
This seems to be a popular trend lately - first Wal-mart is doing away with their fabric depts and now Hancock Fabrics. We quilters and sewers will have no place to purchase unless it’s online. That has its drawbacks as you can’t see/feel the fabric you want to buy and sometimes when you get your shipment it is not what you had hoped, and had to wait, for. Then you ship it back and wait some more. How sad
We have one Hancock Fabrics in Bakersfield, CA and as far as I know from talking with my Quilt Teacher whom works at Hancock Fabrics here our store is not closing as of yet
when it does I will be very sad because I don’t like shopping at JoAnn’s because the personnel in their store don’t like helping customers and the ones that cut fabric don’t know how to cut fabric correctly. Fabric selection is o.k. but they don’t carry as much as our Hancock Fabrics does. I’m an avid Machine Quilter and Embroidery Machine enthusiast. Losing our Hancock Fabrics would be a Sad day for us Quilters. We have two or three high-end Quilt Shops here but the prices are not great! To expensive for my taste. We have three Wal-Marts and at least two that I know of still sale Fabric and some notions. The Wal-Mart I shop at definitely sales Fabric and Notions and even enlarged the department not to long ago. Some of you are saying your Wal-Marts are not selling Fabric anylonger that would really stunt my Fabric Growth for which I’m accustomed to on a regular basis. My Mom and I tell everyone that “The person that dies with the most Fabric wins.” e-quilter.com is a great source for Fabric buying and easy to navigate…very helpful and will answer any question you may have for them. Bye for now and GOD Bless.
Smiles, Chrissie
I just can’t imagine Flint without our Hancocks (yes, ours used to be Minnesota Fabrics, but at least it’s been Hancocks!). JoAnn’s just doesn’t compare. And there is no where else to buy “yard goods” in this town. Remember when Penney’s, Singer’s, even Sears & Roebuck had fabric? Yes, it’s great summertime fun to hit places such as the wonderful Ice House in Grayling, but those botique shops are just for travel purchases, not our year-round shopping. How do we get Hancocks to stay in our town? Those gals need their jobs! And we need their service.
I have also shopped in the Hancock’s store in Naples, Fl. and will miss it. Thankfully, I have enough fabric on hand to last me the rest of my life! The new Joann store in Naples is NOT messy- it was the old Joann store in East Naples that was bad. Evelyn
Our Hancock Fabrics in Champaign IL is NOT closing! Hooray! We need to keep Hancock’s so quilters have a place to shop that isn’t $10-15/yard! I make a lot of quilts and donate most of them. Without reasonably priced fabric, I’d be hard pressed to afford to donate. Project Linus, Comfort Quilts, Marine project, local nursing homes & Crisis nursery wouldn’t be getting the quantity of quilts they need without places like Hancock Fabrics. Sure, I shop in high-end quilt stores, too. I travel a lot & love to buy different fabrics from where ever I go, but I also go back to Hancock Fabrics. HUGE selection, friendly staff, good inventory & reasonable prices are the reasons.
I don’t know about the store here in Corpus Christi, TX. I do use that store occasionally. The Hancock stores I’ve been in lately in different parts of the country are not clean and neat and are not organized very well at all. Unfortunately, in Corpus Christi our fabric options are extremely small. Usually have to go to San Antonio for good deals.
I have not heard yet if the closest Hancock is closing here, but ours has been so low in good quality fabric for so long, that it is not my first choice to stop in anyway. We have a nice small quilt shop in Dale IN that is not $10 a yard or more, but priced from $3.99 - $8.50 a yard fabrics. Her selection would be greater if she was visited more, but she is keeping her doors open more with her yarn sales. If some of the discount houses close, then smaller mom and pop operations like this Shirley’s Sewing Stuff will be able to grow. Shirley is very helpful, I love her variety, I go there first. Anyone in this southern Indiana area, if you have not been there yet, check her out. Also Val’s in Ferdinand IN is full of nice fabrics at lower than some quilt shop prices. Just a hint for those in my area if the Hancock’s goes out who don’t know of these places. Around here, if we look we CAN find nice fabrics and selection at reasonable prices. The prices charged by the discount houses put others in a bind because they could not buy at such lower costs, and they lost business.
It was nice to have more choices, but if ours goes out, I am glad we still have committed businesses who offer a fair shake. If you want high quality for a great quilt to last forever and the largest selection possible there is the Merchantile in Booneville, IN. Super place too.
I did not have a Hancock’s near me so it isn’t really a blow to my quilting. I don’t usually purchase anything except in quilt shops…on sale when I can (we have great sales in my area) because when I put all that time and effort into a quilt, I want quality fabric that will last and look good. No Wal-Mart, JoAnn or Hancock for my work. That’s not being a snob, it’s using my money and time to it’s best advantage.
Our Hancock Fabric store in Murfreesboro, TN, is staying open, thank goodness. They said it is a million dollar store and the company is keeping those open. I hope it stays that way. Ours is clean and has helpful employees, so maybe that is why it is not closing. It also has a great selection of fabric and notions. JoAnn’s was planning to build here but now have pulled those plans.
I also live in the Waco, TX area. I heard that Hobby Lobby was also discontinuing fabric along with WalMart. That leaves 3 quilt stores where the fabric is about $13 a yard. Who can aford that?
Yes it effects Irving Texas and ME really bad. They are the only fabric store we have. The next closest StoreJoanns and Hobby Lobby are 16 miles away
Now I understand why the Hancock store in Layton, Utah had some empty shelves. What to do now? I shopped there ever since I moved to this area. It is just about the only fabric store around that carries a good selection of fabrics for clothes. there are a ton of quilt fabric stores around here but it was nice to have the selection. Sewing and fabrics have been a part of my life since I was 5 I’ll miss the variety.
We have a Hancock and two Walmart stores with fabric. If they should both stop selling fabric and related supplies we would have to travel quite a way. When we travel, I try to pick up more than I need in hopes of saving a bit of gas.
Here in Buffalo, NY the Hancock Fabrics closed a couple of months ago. I’m really upset about it. The salespeople were fantastic, and were always willing to go the extra mile to help me find a certain fabric, or work out options for fabric combinations. We still have a Joann’s and a Joann Etc……big deal!!
Some days I think it’s a miracle to walk into either one and actually find fabric. The artificial flower section is almost double the entire quilting department. Local merchants are always ranting about all the online shopping people do, but when you can’t find anything locally, the internet is your only choice.
I would love to have enough disposable income to shop the fancy dancy quilt stores, but I don’t. What is wrong with a store offering decent quality, reasonably priced fabric for all us ordinary sewers and quilters?
In this day and age, since we CAN shop on the internet, I would think actual stores would be doing everything possible to encourage customers…better personel, larger selections…NOT shutting down and downsizing.
I think WalMart is making a huge marketing mistake closing so many fabric departments. I will definitely be spending more and more of my shopping dollars online.
The Hancocks in Longview, Texas is not closing, thank goodness. The employees there have become friends, and I shop there a lot. Hancocks is always clean, the employees are friendly, and will go out of their way to help anyone. We have only one quilt shop in town, and their prices are way too high for me.
We have three Hancock stores in Las Vegas and thank goodness only one is closing, so that there will be one on each side of town. Some of our Walmarts are keeping the fabric department and some are not, but have figured out which ones they are. Also, if ever in the Elko, NV, area, stop in the Walmart there. I was there this past weekend and the fabric department is booming. The sales associate said they received a memo that their fabric department was not closing due to their sales and location. The closest Walmart is in Reno, NV; Salt Lake City, NV, or Idaho. Happy sewing to everyone.
Hancock’s headquarters and factory is in our area, so we have some friends who are concerned about their jobs. Our nearest store is in Tupelo and it is not scheduled to close. It’s fairly new.
Until recently, there were two stores in Tupelo, but the older one was cut in the last round of closings.
I live very near a Hancocks in Chino HIlls CA .. but there is so much stuff not fabric in there and so few staff I often just go to another store. The quilting fabric is back in a corner and up on a wall without a place to lay it out and have a look. I’d like to see the store re-organized and some of the decorating junk taken out. I go to a fabric store for fabric, not furniture and doo-dads. I don’t know if my store here is closing, I’d miss it as I do use it for convenience - now that sounded really selfish, didn’t it? I do’t do on-line for fabric as I want to supposrt my local shops and I want to handle and create with the real stuff in front of me.
We have 3 Hancocks here in OKC, and 2 of the 3 are closing.. We have lost all of the fabric departments at Wal-Mart’s on the South side of OKC & Moore.. I hate it.. I agree with some of the other people about Hancocks going into the furniture business bad move for them. If you are a fabric store you need to stick with fabric and craft supplies NOT FURNITURE….
Happy Quilting and Crafting to everyone…
Our Hancocks closed last year, only open for two years. Nice well kept store in Antioch, CA. Like someone said lots of furniture up front. We have Joann’s and a couple quilt shops around, but they are very expensive.
I live in South Dakota, and the Hancocks in Yankton is closing its doors. Now I will to make trips to Sioux Falls to get my fabric. I was told that the Hancocks in Sioux Falls is the only one in my part of the state. Not only that,but the Joanns in Sioux Falss is the only one in the state. What are the quilters and sewers to do? I’m a die hard seamstress and quilter. This is really going to makeit harder to get fabric.
First Walmart, now Hancock and I’ve even heard a rumbling about some of the JoAnn’s closing. If memory serves me corretly…there was a panic about “cloth” stores in the early 80’s too. I was worried at that time, what are we going to DO! I’m worried again! There was an article out a few months ago about the “quilting” business in the $30m in 2005or2006 and growing. What papers are Walmart, Hancock and JoAnn’s reading!!!!
Years ago I had a very, very bad experience with Hancocks and their honoring the warranty on a defective sewing machine (expensive). Apparently, others have not been so unfortunate. However, as a result, I vowed never ever to shop Hancock’s again. Because we now live quite remote (50 miles to nearest Joann’s and other fabric stores), I make a lot of online purchases. I simply read carefully, try to determine thread count, etc. and buy from well-knowns. I have never had to return a purchase and have found, if anything, the quality to be above and beyond. Also, many throw in a FQ or something as a gift … always a nice surprise.
I live in rural South Dakota, and Hancocks in Yankton is closing its doors. It only opened a year ago and now is closing. The nearest town that has Hancocks is Sioux Falls which is 45 minutes away. This does not leave many choices for the die hard semstress and quilter like me. Not only is Hancocks 45 minutes away, but the only Joanns in the state is in Sioux Falls. So now I really have to plan my trips when I need fabric.
Please keep Hancocks open in Onalaska WI. I will be lost without it. Clerks are the best and helpful.Your quality of fabrics are the best.I live 45 miles from the store but visit there at least3 or 4 times a month. And Spend lots of money each visit.Thanks Stay Open Please.
I definitely hear you all about the need for affordable fabric. It seems like there is a huge opportunity for someone to create a chain of stores that are well organized, clean and have consistent inventory. Hopefully Hancock will learn from this and come back stronger, but I doubt they’ll ever open stores in as many locations as they have now, even if they survive their current problems. It’s sad.
Hancock Fabrics in Tempe is also closing. I don’t know about any others in the Phoenix area.
I was not surprised to hear this one is closing. It has always been messy - bolts piled helter skelter and the service was not the best. I recently saw on TV where sewing is coming back really big. People want to be learn to sew as they want to make something themselves. Really made me feel great to see this. JoAnn’s certainly has a monoploy on fabric - such a shame!!!
Roseburg,Oregon our main shopping town only has Walmarts and JoAnn’s for affordable fabrics. This year JoAnn’s no longer carry their calanders that had great monthly coupons.Makes me wonder if they will be staying in business? I remember the hostile takeover when they took over from House of Fabrics in the early 90’s. It’s awful not to have anyplace to buy reasonable fabrics!
In Littleton, Co there is one Hancocks that I’ve been to once. It’s location is in the back of a center that you don’t see from the street so it’s hard to find. The selection is good, but location is bad. I think the proliferation of on line stores has killed retail fabric sales. There is little overhead therefore more profit and that’s what merchants look for in the end. JoAnns has not sent their 40% off coupons for a long time either, and has more and more on lline.
My neighborhood Hancocks closed last year. I helped them clear it out I bought lots of their sale fabric. I really prefer Joann’s.
I, too, am disappointed in the closing of Hancock’s in my area. I live in Nederland,Texas, but the Hancock store is in Port Arthur. The only stores for shopping for fabrics now will be JoAnn’s and the more expensive fabric stores, one here in Nederland and two in Beaumont.
Since I moved to AZ there is not a Hancock close to me. But I always have been more of a Joann shopper anyway. Their quality of fabrics is really nice for quilting. As far as Wal-mart, no I will not miss their fabric dept. Their fabric is ok for kids appreal but that is about it. No matter where you love to shop for fabric, the big question reminds. Why are we losing so many fabric stores? People still sew and quilt. But if you will notice, even Joann has more craft items than fabric. I do purchase fabric online occasionally. But I prefer to go to Joann or a quilt shop. I need the experience of the “touch and feel” to make my final decisions. Remember when dept stores carried fabric?!! Sewing is alive and well! PLEASE KEEP OUR FABRIC STORES OPEN!!!!
The Fresno, CA Hancocks is not closing at this point. I rarely go there as it just does not have the selection I like plus it is not “clean”, who wants home decorator items, etc. The new Joann’s Super Store finally has it’s act together in regards to the fabric selection. It is great and the ladies are SO nice. They don’t fold the fabrics the way I like so I usually ask to do it. The Wal-Mart store is retaining its fabric department and has an EXCELLENT selection of low cost fabrics. The Dept. Manager is fantastic. ALL the ladies (even a couple of guys) are superb in their service, cut well, fold the way I like and are NEVER in a hurry or try to rush you. It is amazing the patience these low paid employees have with some of the nitwits they deal with! I, too, would be devastated if I could not touch my fabric. So often it is not “just right”. I no longer sew for myself but do baby quilts, blankets, etc. and the flannel available at Wally World is so very reasonable. Right now I have 75 blankets ready to sew and bought enough fabric yesterday for 25 more! We have a Children’s Hospital within a hour’s drive of my house (near Yosemite National Park). I sure would like to know what brainless people are making these decisions to close “our” stores!
All Hancock stores are closing in Michigan - only about 6, but they had a good variety of fabric and notions. I found myself shopping there instead of JoAnn’s just because of JoAnn’s coupon policy changes.
I live out in the boonies. The nearest
Hancock store is fifty miles from me. Twenty miles the other way is a small JoAnne’s which is not very organize and
clean. I do a lot of sewing (for myself) and quilts for me and special
charity functions. I like to FEEL fabric
and am excited when walking down the aisles of fabrics. I don’t like to shop by internet. Why don’t they leave
at least one Hancock store open per city
instead of closing all of them. Hancock
is a special store to me—their fabric
variety is so much better than JoAnne!
The Hancocks in Redlands is also a million dollar store and is slated to remain open. The one in Chino that somebody mention will be closing. I also have shopped at the on in Rancho Cucamonga. I talked to the store manager in Redlands and south of Bakersfield the one in Redlands in the only one that will remain open in California. I also asked about the furniture and she said that the smaller tables, chests and that type of thing really sells in that store. I belong to American Sewing Guild and we are really pushing people to support the store in Redlands to do our part to keep it open. We have two quilt shops in Redlands also. One of them I really like and the other one I won’t go in because of the type (style) of fabrics that they carry. The store that I really miss is Cloth World. Joans bought the Cloth World in San Bernardino and Redlands and turned them into craft shops. They recently closed both of them and opened a Super Joans in Redlands. I was really excited until I went into the store. They had increased the amount of pick and save type items from the other two stores, but not the fabric selection. I am hoping that the Redlands store stays open and that they don’t do any changes in the type of fabric selection that they carry. Georgia
It’s so sad. I learned to sew clothes for myself and have enjoyed my outcomes.
Especially since I am a single mom with one toddler boy, I sew for him too. On a fixed budget, school and working, sewing is my outlet from stress. But now
that Hanacock is closing, is very sad.
I never care for JoAnne and I don’t shop
often at Walmart. There are two Hancocks
in the Toledo Ohio area. But both are
closing soon. Hancock always had a better variety of fabrics and large selections. why can they not keep at least ONE HANCOCK OPEN!!!
Hi
I do 90% of my shopping at quilt shops but I do need to purchase things that quilt shops do not sell. So, I, for one, will missing Hancokc Fabrics. i live in the country and the closest quilt shop is 30 miles and Hancocks is 50 miles.
Gas adds to my expensive; so I make big purchases when I do shopping!
We have 3 stores in Baton Rouge,LA and this is the first I;ve heard of any store closures. It wouldn’t surprise me if 1one were to close.
Closing the only 2 Hancocks Fabric stores within traveling distance for me is terrible. I look to them for clothing fabric, trims, etc. and now only JoAnns will be left. They don’t always have what I need, so shop often at Hancocks. We are also loosing the fabric dept. in both our Walmarts so we will have to really travel for reasonably priced fabrics. We do have quilt shops, but they too do not carry everything. In fact I can’t afford up to and more than 9.25 a yard for quilting fabric. Reorganize, don’t remove the Hancock stores. It will only hurt the customer.
We, sewers, like to see and feel the fabric before buying it. We do not want to purchase on the internet and have to ship it back! Walmart, and so many other stores including independent have closed! We NEED them. I need them! Maybe it they didn’t try to sell furniture etc. they would do well!
I saw this article and called my local Hancocks. It’s about 20 miles from my house. It isn’t closing. Oh well, I guess they won’t be having any big “store closing” sales.
The Springfield, Ohio Hancocks closed about 10 years ago forcing us to to the the Hancocks on Airway Rd in Dayton, Ohio by the Air Force Base. They closed their doors last year. Now we have to travel to the store on Indian Ripple off 675 South of Dayton. If this store closes we won’t have any in the area.
As far as the Wal-Mart stores (2 Super Wal-Marts) in Springfield; both still have a fabric department. However, the store on N. Becthle Ave is getting very depleated. That will leave us a samall JoAnn Fabrics Store and Hobby Lobby. But I have heard that even Hobby-Lobby may close out their fabric department.
We have no quilt shops in Springfield any more. The last one closed about 15 years ago. But there is a new one opening in Urbana, Ohio called “The Quilter’s Outlet”. She will be opening on May 1, with her Grand Opening on May 12. We all wish her the best.
I just called our Hancocks, here in Bakersfield, CA. I talked to Bobbie, and they are definately NOT closing. (Chrissy - I don’t know you, but I bet you are dancing! I agree about the prices and such at the quilt shops. By the way, for a little drive, there is a new quilt shop in Maricopa, and not only are the prices reasonable, but the owner is SUPER friendly, and extremely helpful!)
Anywho - I’m a quilter, and a fabric horder…and THIS is a good thing for quilters and any woman with a handkering to put needle and thread to material! At least in Bakersfield.
Nancy
As a Mississippi native (went to college with the daughter of the original owner back in the early 70’s), the news last week that Hancock Fabrics declared Chapter 11 nearly broke my heart. All my life I’ve shopped at Hancock Fabrics — all across the country! My local store is in NW Austin — a clean, bright, airy store with the nicest employees. I haven’t heard if they’re to be part of the closing, but I sure hope not! The Austin Joann’s employees know very little about sewing/quilting and the store is habitually understaffed. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed we get to keep our Hancock’s store!
deb
Round Rock
PS: Don’t even get me started on the ill will Hancock’s of Paducah is generating! Talk about money-grubbing people who don’t give a rat’s behind about their customers!!!!
PSS: I’ve heard rumors online that not only is WalMart doing away with their fabric areas, but so is Hobby Lobby! I hope that is all it is: a rumor!
Yes, the Hancock store in our area is also closing. In fact, we were told every store in our district is closing! We will have to drive 5 hours or more to the nearest Hancock store. THere are no other stores with clothing for fashion construction in our area other than Hancock. We mainly have quilting stores, JoAnn’s and Hobby Lobby. Most of the Walmart’s have eliminated most of their sewing sections in our area as well. It is really discouraging. I live in Amarillo, TX and we are very far removed from major metro areas with access to fabrics, etc. for various types of sewing. I understand that once Hancock reorganizes, it may re-open some stores, so call 877-HANCOCK to ask them to consider your site if they do re-open any stores.
For some reason I cannot fathom, Fabric stores have decided to fill their stores with junk and candy. The Hancock store here in Hayden, Idaho is one of the worst. While in a long line waiting for a cutter, one more employee came out of the office and started taking care of a person who had just walked up and was not in line. The employee ignored the comments and grumbling so two of us walked out. I won’t go back for more abuse. I worked at a Fabricland Store for 3 years. Our store was required to be clean and all fabric draped correctly. The customers were taken in “next” order and we always called employees off the floor to help customers.
I live in small rural town in Arkansas. The Hancocks in Poplar Bluff, MO is closing. It is 30 miles away but the only fabric store there when Wal-Mart removes it from that store. Wal-Mart has already removed it from two other stores within 30 miles from us. The next town is 50 miles away, has Hobby Lobby but that’s all. I have sewn for 40 years (mostly clothing) but have started quilting. I think the corporate offices don’t realize the mistake they are making.
Is the store in Lynnwood washington closeing? If so let me know soon.
It might be helpful and of considerable value for us to communicate to Hobby Lobby, JoAnn’s and other local fabric stores about the service they provide to the home sewer and quilter. Stores need to hear it from us regarding what value their product lines provide for us. I’m sure that if each person who has shared comments here would go to the appropriate websites and answer a cumtomer survey, we might make a difference.
It was great news to learn that our Hancocks in Wichita Falls is NOT on the hit list. They will remain open. I have also learned that Hobby Lobby will continue carrying fabrics. They are restructuring their fabric dep’t, not closing it. The department manager seemed quite excited aout the changes which she says will be a good improvement.
Here in Palestine, Tx we have been able to save our Walmart for a while. The ladies in fabrics got over 2000 signatures to send in. Other than a small quilt shop downtown only open Tue-Sat (1/2 a day) this is all we have. Hancocks is about 50 miles from here in Tyler, Tx. Haven’t heard if they are closing. This store is ok but a little unorganized. I will miss it. The Joann’s in Tyler closed a few years ago. Hobby Lobby is about the only thing left for fabric other than some quilt shops. When I win the lottery I will buy all my stuff at these. They have beautiful stuff but I can’t afford them all the time. One little elderly lady wrote and told Walmart Corporate that she couldn’t drive 50 miles to buy thread and to please save our fabric department. I guess it’t more important to sell beer, wine and all that imported junk.
I was happy to learn that the Hancock fabric store in Lewisville, TX is not closing–not so far, anyway. Cloth World did, then Michaels and finally JoAnn’s,the latter of which was mostly piles of second-rate fabrics and craft items that were cheaply made. The fabric was dimestore quality and there wasn’t one spool of 100% cotton thread in the store. I’d miss Hancocks a great deal if they got caught up in the Chapter 11. The only other fabric shop in Lewisville sells highend goods. I buy there, too, but about half the time I just want to make a quilt, not an heirloom.
I work at JoAnn Fabrics. I am not sure if they will be closing their stores. There is new manangement at the top, and all they care about is the dollar amount of each “ticket” (your total at the register). We must push merchandise on the customers to build that amount. They do not care that the sewer’s relationship to the salespeople is crucial to the survival of each store. They seem to be pushing the small stores out of business by short staffing (no potty or dinner breaks possible), long waits at cutting and registers, staff pushed to do custodial work and maintenance (including handling dangerous chemicals for cleaning), rather than personalized help for customers.
Many small stores are being denied a mix of the merchandise customers ask for, while the JoAnn ETC (superstores) have it all. This forces us to send our customers to the “SuperStore” which hurts our bottom line.
More and more young people are sewing ( many young men too), as schools in my area offer it. We have no time to help them and still do the long list of required chores each day.
Bottom line? They want to become the Home Depot of Fabric. Maximize profit, minimize assistance, you the customer has to grin and bear it.
We have nothing in our area -no Hancock’s–(Charleston, WV) so i usually hit several quilt shops while on vacations. The wal-mart has stopped selling fabric and Jo-ann’s is terrible. No one wants to wait on you, and the place is very messy. We really need someplace to purchase fabric that is not so expensive
The Hancock store in Westerville OH closed about 2 years ago, and many of us were so disappointed. Whenever I needed supplies, notions, etc., this store was only about 1.5 m. from my home. I truly miss it, and feel so sorry for the folks who have to travel bunches of miles to get sewing supplies.
The Hancock store in Vacaville, CA is closing. I am heart broken, as they had nice fabrics, quality sewing notions and friendly helpful staff. That leaves one high end quilting shop and JoAnns. JoAnns has too much messy “stuff”, unfriendly and unhelpful staff and not much quality fabrics to choose from. I didn’t like the furniture part of Hancock either. It was in the way, doesn’t belong in a fabric shop and expensive.
I worked at six local Hancock Fabric Stores, all of which are closed or closing. I certainly miss them for shopping and my job. I worked in Port Huron, Michigan last. I injured my knee on the job, had surgery and was not taken back because managers were out of work and there was no room for me.
You know this is so outrageous, I find it hard to contain my self. First Walmart is dropping its fabric dept in certain stores, now Hancock wants to go belly up. What is this? Do not try to make me think that people are sewing less, because that is just not true. What I see is you add different stuff to a fabric store and decrease space for fabric, therefore your selection is smaller and because some CEO thinks he/she knows, or think they know the route to go. Then the store loses money and they want to close it or end it. Truth is if you get some people that really know what the customers want then they will do well. And ALL the people that I know want better selection and lower prices. But I guess it’s easier to file bankruptcy and quit.
will the hancocks in Jacksonville NC close? Sure hope not as i shop there alot.
Annie, I’m not sure they have released a list of all stores that will close. They might have, but I haven’t found it yet.
The Hancock Stores in New York State closed last year. I’ve also heard the rumor that JoAnn’s is closing and if Wal-Mart discontinues their fabric, we will be reduced to only quilt shops. While the quilt shops have great fabric, they are also much more expensive than JoAnn or Wal-Mart. I live close to Canada and have often shopped there. Their fabric is almost the same price and because they sell by the meter, you are able to get 4 more inches than our regular yard. I don’t know if all the JoAnn stores through out the country have the type of fabric that the stores in my area carry, but frankly I feel most of this fabric belongs in the Dollar Store. As a quilter, I have a difficult time shopping at JoAnn stores because of this poor quality fabric.
I found out last week that my Hancock’s in Fitchburg, MA is closing. I was told at the time that is was because the small business tax in MA is being increased; apparently that is not the case as they are closing all over. My local Joann’s closed in the last year, and I liked Hancock’s better. Now there is nowhere in the area, but a few small quilt stores, which is good for quilt fabric, but I also do apparel sewing and Hancock’s had a good selection of apparel fabric. I do some fabric shopping online but I do like to see and touch the fabric first. Not only do I get fabric there, but embroidery thread, serger thread, stabilizer…now I will have to go online for all that, and pay shipping too!! I will miss Hancock’s.
Chico CA Hancock is closing in June! While it’s not the greatest fabric store, they have a great selection of fabric…some staff need training in how to cut fabric.
They are so much better than most at our local Joann’s (which is dirty and messy.) Only a couple of the Joann employee’s are friendly..there are lots of staff but only a few who are helpful or pleasent..store manager is snotty…and act’s like she’s doing you a favor at the check out.
I prefer the Hancock selection…and will really miss them.
I am so sorry that our store in Redlands, California is closing. It was a lovely store and the staff so very helpful. They have wonderful classes and are very accomodating.
As to Walmart closing their fabric section I have seen some examples of their fabrics and wouldn’t use them to clean the floor with. Absolutely horrible.
Karen
Crone@dslextreme.com
Almost a yr in Hendersonville, NC and still haven’t gone to Hancock’s in nearby Ashville so I guess I won’t miss it! I have picked up some specialty prints at JoAnn’s Super Stores that are near the Interstate as I travel…and of course NOTIONS and BOOKS w/ the great coupons.
Other than that I go to quilt shops.
I really think it is a shame that Wal-Mart and Hancock’s are not going to be able to have fabric, as there are many people who are 50 + miles from a quilt shop or who cannot afford the prices for better fabrics. I’m thinking of one friend who LOVES to make wall hangings, and even Wal-Mart’s bargain prices are tough for her to manage.
The Hancocks store in Anniston, AL is closing. The local Walmart stores are discontinuing their fabric. There is a Hobby Lobby in Oxford and Gadsden, but doesn’t carry the inventory that Hancock’s does. There are several quilt guilds in the area, and I don’t know where we will get our fabric. I probably have enough fabric to last me a lifetime, but looks like a road trip if I want more. It seems like a way of life is coming to an end. It really makes me sad.
Carol Moore
My store in Port Huron, Michigan is also closing. I was shocked.
What is going on, with Handcocks, Walmart etc. I buy lots of fabrics from these stores. At this rate people are going to be forced to buy all there goods from the high priced fabric shops. I for one will have to cut back on my buys. Joann’s doesn’t have that great of a store. There prices are high also. Maybe they should checked management.
I love Hancocks. We need fabric stores like Hancock’s and JoAnn’s. The quilting stores are so much higher than these two stores…..Besides you get warm, informative people helping you. \Jan
I am very upset that Hancock is closing, because they are the only fabric store that I could always find what I was looking for. Joanns does not carry a large selection of fabric, my store located in Glendale, is going to be missed. I am sorry to see them go. I may have to shop on line but I will try not to if I do not have to, I prepher to feel, touch and see the material in person before I purchase it.
Marysville-Ohio, has fabric in local Wal-Mart but the quality is poor and the selection is not so great either.
I loved Hancock’s when I lived in Centerville, Ohio. I remember shopping there more than Joann’s for apparel fabric. We made most of our cloths growing up.
Now I am a quilter. I have to travel a half an hour or more to get to any fabric shop. I do on occasion buy fabric at our local Wal-Mart. Marysville, Ohio had a quilt shop that closed in December of 2006. There is a new quilt store in Springfield - Ohio, called Creative Fires on Progressive Drive. But my favorite quilt stores are Always in Stitches in Grove City, a 45 minute drive, Red Rooster and Quilt Beginnings North are a half hour drive.
I always hate to hear people will loose there jobs. That hurts the most.
Our store in Columbus, MS is closing. They say the Wal-Mart is losing the fabric, however, their sales are still booming here. Yes, I’m going to miss the Hancock’s store. We’ll have to drive to Tupelo or Tuscaloosa, AL to buy fabric at a Hancock’s.
The Hancock’s in Fitchburg MA is closing. There’s one other Hancock’s in the state, which is in Springfield, 2 hours away. I wouldn’t be surprised if that one was closing either.
I was not really surprised, as far as I could see, it wasn’t getting good business. Even then, it took me an hour from Boston to get to Fitchburg. I can get to at least 6 Joann’s and 1 Superstore in that time. Plus we are fortunate to have independent stores that are local to the area.
The only Hancocks I have ever shopped at is in North Kansas City, MO and over the 10 year period I have shopped there it has been going downhill steadily. Barely any staff, dirty, cluttered, and the few people on duty are more concerned about putting out product. This is not the employees fault, this is what is expected of them. The chain has put themselves out of business not the consumer. I don’t really think it has much to do with lack of customers buying fabric but instead it is like so many other retail venues, the bottom line. A lot of the large retailers are trying to run a store with as few employees as possible. There is someone sitting in their office at “headquarters” projecting on paper how many man hours it takes to turn a profit and then they cut that even more to get to their magic number. The problem being we the consumers are allowing them to get away with it. My time is as pricey as theirs and if they don’t want to have enough staff to wait on me promptly then I take my business elsewhere!! I do not make a lot of money but my time is important to me too. The big “W” is a prime example and retailers are following their lead. JoAnn’s is right on the heels of Hancock’s as far as I’m concerned. When you have to wait for someone to finish at the cutting table before you can check out then they don’t have enough help. Hobby Lobby is the ONLY craft store where there is staff dedicated to the registers and my local store is very prompt on getting more help to the front if needed. Consumers have “paid the price” for cheap prices in the customer service area. Those retailers who’s main concern is dumping product on the floor have NO customer service. In the end, like Hancock’s, the retailers that are blind to this fact will meet their end.
There are 2 stores near me that are closing. They feature material that is not at JoAnn’s. There is one store that will remain open, but I won’t drive that far to go to it. I get my best quilting material at my LQS, but I do buy others items at Hancock’s or Walmart. I am lucky to live in a large city so I have other options, but feel bad for those in smaller towns.
I was quite surprised to find out that our Hancock store in Schererville, IN is closing. It hasn’t been in this area long. (The nearest one will now be 25 miles or so from here and their sales tax rate is higher so that adds to the cost.) I liked the variety of fabric. They carried fleece and licensed character fabric that no one else had available. I will shop the closeout sale and stock up on character fabric. I like to make pillow cases for my grandsons so when they stay over they can choose a character to sleep on. I will miss seeing the friendly sales staff.
I sew for a living and can’t imagine having to shop exclusively at Wal-Mart, HL, ect. I worked at a Hancocks for years and they did have good selection.
Hey, Annie Durbin, poster #80, did you by a nd chance work at HAncocks #1392?
Hi, I do not have a Hancock fabris near me. I always wished we did.Our walmart is ending their fabric department. I dont no what Ill do now. Online fabric is expensive Plus shipping. Dont no what to do.
I’ll only miss the Hancock’s here for items like needles and getting to use the 40% off coupons for quilting rulers, mats and cutters. (Glad I just stocked up last month!)
I’ve been buying a LOT of fabric online from http://www.thousandsofbolts.com - you can’t beat the discounts anywhere! They may not carry whole fabric lines, but they have exquisite batiks ranging from $3.85 to $5.85/yd. I’ve never seen any fabric there go over $5.85. Many times I’ve seen identical fabric at other online quilt shops selling for $9.95 a yard and upward - OUCH! I did discover a local quilt shop - actually SEEING all those fabrics side by side was a breathtaking sight - but the prices scared me off. Try Thousands of Bolts - the service is *excellent* as is the prices, IMO.
I livein Ontario Canada and sew my own clothes and have only 1 store to dress fabric and good quilt stores. Wish we had another dres material shop for selection Sorry to hear about hancocks to many stores closing here also
The Hancock’s in the Randallstown,Maryland (near Baltimore) closed a few years ago (I guess the problems were just starting). My girlfriend loved the store for clothing, especially the ethnic fabric. Joann’s had nothing like it. Once I started quilting, it became my store for quality fabric. I was sorry to see it go.
i loved shopping at hancock fabrics when we lived near las vegas…it was a great store..but since we moved to texas i had not located any of the hancok stores in san antonio did find one joannes but would not go back to it…we have a nice american handcrafts store here locally and a very nice quilt shop (creations of kerrville) i have ordered quite a bit of fabric on line and have never been disappointed..
Our Hancock Store in Cypress ca is ckosing I have worked for the co. for 15 years There are no other good fabric stores here in souther ca.
I am very concerned about fabric stores and departments closing! I sew, quilt, crocet, embroider and craft nearly as much as I breathe!! I and other ladies from my church sew, crochet, quilt and do craft projects for needy families, missionaries, homeless people, nursing homes and church events such as Sunday school and Christmas. I personally make quilts and sew for making money to support these other endeavors and other ladies in my church are on fixed incomes. To be honest, I wait for Hancocks to have sales before I shop and I goto a Joannes only if I can not find an item I need anywhere else. I simply dont have the resources to shop a lot of these places. I dont believe my circumstance is unique. I hope and pray these folks can turn their circumstances around! We lean a lot on Wal Mart fabrics and crafts, too.
I live close to Rocky Mount, NC where the local Hancock’s is closing. The Tar River Piecemaker’s Quilting Guild which has about 110 members is located in RMT too. With this closing and Wal-Mart phasing our their fabrics and yarns, it does present a serious loss for all of us. We are within 50-75 miles (minimum)of Raleigh and other cities/towns that have sewing and knitting supplies. With rising gasoline costs, this does present a real loss to all of us.
the nearest Hancocks to me is in Tyler and if it closes it will effect me very much.
Walmart’s in West Plains, MO,.and they are closing we will have no place to shop close. No hancock or joann’s The nearest hancocks ro joanns is 100 miles from me
We lost the Ben Franklins in Mechanicburg,Pa a few years back because of Micheals and ACMoore. The Hancocks was only open for a year or so and now it is closing. The location may have been jinx by its close location to ole Ben’s. Can’t stand Wal-Mart and we have a fabric and a new yarn store in Carlisle. Micheals and ACMoore do not sell fabric. Yarn, yes. The nearest Hancock will be ( I hope) the west shore. Lancaster,Pa is supposed to be good for quilting fabrics.
Walmart has just closed their fabric dept and I don’t know about Hancock. It is such a nice store and has a wonderful selection of fabric. I do hope they don’t close. What can we as sewers do to encourage fabric stores. Goodness knows I shop and buy enough for 2 customers. What else can we do?
Many people depend on the more affordable places to buy their fabric. Thee just seems to be less and less services available to say a quilter just starting out, Not everyone can always afford the high priced quilt shop fabrics.
We have lost one Hancock’s in Aplharetta, GA and may lose another in the marietta area. I stopped shopping at the closing store as the store became very dirty and unorganized. The staff were alway quite nice but since the store announced its closing everyone has been quite sharp with the customers. I hope that the store in Marietta does not close as I do alot of shopping for quilting materials there. We have had to fight Walmart in order to keep the fabric department in our Canton area. It took many emails and calls but it was still made smaller when the store was remodeled. It is along trip to the nearest JoAnn’s and I have found that selection is getting less. What is going on? Our quilt guild makes hundreds of quilts for the womens shelder each year and it has become more difficult to do find materials lately.
We waited while they kept advertising a new Hancocks would be built, for 3 years,in nearby (30 miles) Bend, Oregon. Finally last summer it opened. Everyone was so excited. Well I have only been there 2 times. Never find much, too much “other stuff”. I still go to LQS, Walmart (which says they are not closing) and Joann’s. I hate the Joann’s store, but do enjoy finding cute fabric at times there for fillers in my quilts.
So NO I won’t miss Hancock’s if they close. Just sad we waited so long and were so disappointed when they finally moved in.
I can understand why Hancock’s is going out of business! The store on Metcalf is filthy & junky. Fabric is piled everywhere, in baskets on the floor etc. It’s hard to find someone to wait on you. There is a sign on their door that says “We are not leaving”! However, I overheard a clerk telling someone on the telephone that they were bankrupt and clerks were putting out 1/3 off certain items…not all! Go figure! JoAnn’s is cleaner and better organized but sometimes it’s very hard to find someone to wait on you to cut fabric… Like someone previously said, the big guys in Headquarters are cutting corners to the detriment of the businesses.
Our only Hancock’s in the Reno-Sparks area is NOT closing. Hurray!! They have been getting some nice quality fabric. I did thoroughly dislike wandering through the furniture to get to the fabric.
The thing I don’t like about our store is that someone smokes in the back. I have purchased patterns, and the tissue paper stinks of cigarette smoke. Because of the smoke smell, I don’t even think about buying fabric from the back of the store.
Please!! I hate when the mega companies have us over a barrel!! The Hancock’s Fabric in Citrus Heights, CA is closing. It was not the best fabric store, but it was nice. I did purchase the “other” items they offered, such as lamps, paintings, tables, etc. and will miss brousing in the store. Just opened a new Super Wal-Mart in Citrus Heights, but it not only does not have fabric, but I found it impossible to find the craft area. It seemed to have everything spread throughout the store, and I never did find any unfinished wood or paint. JoAnne’s is nice, but the one near me is real unorganized and always has boxes of stuff sitting out for you to trip on. Beverly’s is nice, but the one in Fair Oaks does not have a lot of fabrics to chose from and the fabric stores nearby are quite expensive. My complaint about most all of the stores that carry fabric is the screaming kids running around and hiding in the fabrics and I am never able to just sit and relax and look at the pattern books in quiet. I will miss the fabrics at both my nearby Wal-Mart and Hancock’s and will have to try a larger Beverly’s or JoAnne’s with better selections.
The Hancock’s in Sterling VA is closing as is the Vienna and Woodbridge stores. I am very disappointed as that was an easy and convenient place to run to when I needed a needle or a spool of thread or even a button. While it does have too much fleece and lots of decor items which I am not interested in, it was still a nice and clean store (Unlike our closest JOANNs) The clerks at Hancocks in Sterling knew sewing and what they were doing. Some have worked there a long time and I am sorry to see them lose their jobs. Mostly I am sorry for the loss of convenience in having a fabric store close to my home. While JOANNs is not that far away it is dirty and cluttered (why do I hear this over and over about a chain? How do they stay in business?) JOANNs hires just anybody that is a warm body and I find shopping there anything but a nice experience. I am really sad to see Hancock’s leave my corner of Virginia.
The Hancock store in Sarasota is closing adn that is not a good thing. I depended on this store for most of my sewing supplies. I do alot a various different types of sewing and other crafts and it was about the only place I could get the supplies I needed. The sales help in the store were very helpful and I will miss having a place i could shop that was near my home.
Going to hancock fabrics in fitchburg, ma was a treat for me. I live about 30 miles from the closest one (as we only had 2 in massachusetts)There are about 10 joann fabrics around here, but they are inconsistent. They are ether spotless or a disaster waiting to happen. In the boston area we have a couple of “hiddden jewels”(off price fabric stores) but you cannot always get what you need. I would always go to hancocks in las vegas when we were there,a s well as when I visit family in northern virginia. It is a sign of the times as you have to pay people a decent wage, as well as commercial rents are high as well. It seems like that the process of making things out of material is fast being replaced by cheap, poorly constructed imports, that someone can buy for pennies, and resell them - my pet peeve at craft fairs when people are taking their merchandise out of oriental trading boxes and passing it off ashand made
I am 50 miles from the Hancock store that is closing in Minot, ND. It will hurt those in the area that are quilting and sewing people. There is talk about the Walmart store doing away with the fabric department. That is a lose to us too. It really limits the selections we can choose from. Florence
Rumor has it that WalMart will be getting out of the fabric business too and now Hancocks…this will definitely effect my charity sewing. I am on a fixed income, so I can’t afford to pay high fabric prices, shipping costs, etc. If JoAnn’s goes, that will be it for me. =(
The Hancock store in Valparaiso, Indiana has closed. When the rumors first began personnel in the store let customers know what was happening. It was the ONLY fabric store in Valpo which served a large area. We do have Walmart which certainly has its place, but it is no Hancock Fabrics. Many of us emailed, called corporate and wrote letters. It was located in a strip mall and to remain the cost per square foot was more than they wanted to pay. My choice is to either travel 45-50 minutes or more…or order on line. I have done more on line ordering for the quality and variety for quilts…sad to see them go…Marilyn
The Hancock’s in Bradenton, FL, is staying open. According to the ladies. there will only be 4 Hancock stores left in FL. The Sarasota and Tampa stores are closing according to them.
We are losing our Hancocks store here in Chico Calif. I am very upset about it. It is the best fabric store in town . Now I will have to travel two hours out of town to get to the fabric store in Sacramento Calif.
I have shopped online at FabricDepot.com and they are not only reasonable in price,(you get a discount when you order online)their service is very good. I ordered and had my merchandise in a week.
I’m saddened by Wal-Mart and Hancock deciding to either do away with their fabric depts (Wal-Mart) or closing most of their stores (Hancocks). Our WMU group at church does a lot of chairty sewing, and we are all on fixed incomes, this will affect our “projects” very much. JJ
How Ironic.In QNM for May’07.Jan Magee’s editor’s letter quotes several sources documenting the evidence of a rejuvenated quilting industry. To quote her “Because sewing has taken off in popularity is no reason to lessen the efforts.Where there used to be a void to fill,now there is a need to fill and it’s growing every day.”
What happeded to supply and demand?
There is a list of the stores that are closing at
http://scatoday.net/node/8328
I am not sure how current the list is. I read they added a few more stores to the list and now it will be 134 stores closing.
I am glad Hancocks is closing. The quality of fabrics is no where near the quality of our local quilt shop here in South Dakota. The staff at Hancocks barely know how to cut fabric, much less sew.
Our Fitchburg, MA, Hancock’s is closing and we are in shock. There are few alternatives near us. I recently started an after school sewing club at my daughters’ school, and now they will have nowhere to go to continue on their own. Very sad for us.
Seems to me that POOR business is a trait of Hancock’s. The store near where I live in Louisiana has UNHELPFUL EMPLOYEES according to my students but then so does Walmart. Hobby Lobby is friendlier but more expensive. I have read most of the comments and all of US are saying the same thing keep the big guys in business. Ladies the big guys are the ones that are impersonal and unfriendly. If you read what some of the comments are saying they seem to prefer the smaller more personal stores except for the price. Why??? Pride and the want to succeed as well as a personal investment. The big guys have no personel investment now they work for the stockholders and still draw a check just like we do. I myself plan to take full advantage of the closures. I am opening a fabric and craft business in my area and will not allow it to be overpriced, have rude employees and insist on personal one on one service on a first come first serve basis. No customer is unimportant even if they only need a button. One of the first bosses, besides my parents who were also self employed for 25years, I ever had told me to treat each customer like a Queen/King and they will send the rest of the kingdom to shop with you. His business was successful for many years until his health failed him. My dream will come true and with the two Walmart stores discontinuing fabrics and crafts and the possibility of Hancocks closing also in our twin cities, will be a benefit for my new business. As for missing Hancocks, yes i will miss it because I have been a life long shopper of the local store and try to send all of my students there even though they insist on buying the cheap stuff from Walmart. Missing the Walmart fabrics/crafts, NOT, couldn’t care less if that store closed its doors for good. They honestly do not hire their employees for their personalities.
I first became addicted to fabrics when a MEMCO opened in our area I was 11 yrs old it wasn;t a great selection up until then it was GC murphy’s in olde town alexandria va…then Minnesota fabrics opened and I could not cut enough lawns or babysit enough to keep my addiction sustained….then it became hancock fabrics and seems like its needed help every since. I moved to the Outerbanks of NC and all we had was walmart hancocks is 75 miles away…we now have 3 quilt shops but $$$$ I spent the summer in Durham and spent time at both Joann’s and hancocks there but selection was ok stores for the most part disorganized…So hopefull those powers that be will read these posts and know what they have to do ….
our hancock fabrics in warren michigan is closing. i for one won’t miss it at all. until jo-ann fabrics opened up a few miles away, it was the only fabric shop around that was close to me. at hancock fabrics, i never could find a clerk to ask a question, and the clerks that worked there were all crabby all the time. also the prices of their fabris compared to jo ann’s was too expensive. also jo ann’s always has a 40% off coupon every week that can be used on all their merchandise..
It sounds as if people were discouraged with both Hancocks & Jo Ann’s.
In many Hancock’s I found them to be very rude, unhelpful & overpriced. You could only use there coupon just on fabric. Will not miss that store. Who would have thought that all they had to do to stay in business would be to give 40% off off anything. Jo Anns store has a bigger selection were I live, offers more discounts and even though the lines can be long at times, I feel it is worth it. I was in San Fransisco last week and the line at the Ross’s went from the registers to the back of the store, and I never heard one person complain. Could you imagine that every day. I also know that there is not any store that would ever bring prices back up to a regular price & then let you use a coupon for more then what there sale price is. So I don’t know why Jo Ann’s ever did this in past, no other stores ever did so I can see why they changed there coupon policy to be like other stores. I also know that if you want change at your Jo Ann’s then all you have to do is go to the Guest Services on there Web site and email your concerns and they will do everything in there power to make things right. So if your Jo Ann’s is having problems, they can’t fix them unless customers let the corporation know. I always get a response back from Jo Ann’s, but never from the Handcocks Corporation. Also ladies these people working in these fabric stores are only working for minimum wage & I have seen many of them deal with many mean & hateful people just for minimum wage. I personaly think people that work for that low of pay in any job should be really respected, not treated like garbage.
Have A Great Day Everyone!
There is a Huge store of fabrics in Portland Oregon and they have a great Web Site of fabrics for sale.
Fabric Depot
Check it out……..
Our local Hancock’s is closing and I will miss it. But the final brilliant sales stategy probably says it all about Hancock’s management.
Thirty to fifty percent off of everything, the signs say. But other signs say “two yard minimum cut.”
For a store in which I’d guess bolts of quilt cotton equal, if not outnumber, all the other bolts of fabric combined? A two yard minimum cut? I’d say that Hancock’s management is comprised of fools who wouldn’t know what to do with two yards of fabric if you put it in their hot little hands.
Wal-Mart may continue their fabric department here for another two years, but the selection is sad.
I do have to wonder about the business acumen displayed by both companies. Of course, that goes without saying in the case of Hancock’s but I include Wal-Mart — heresy, I know, but they’ve made quite a few missteps lately, too, it seems.
In any case, if my stash grows at a lesser rate in the future, maybe that’s a blessing. I might not have to evict my family to gain more room for fabric.
The Medford OR is closing. When it opened about a year ago I was excited. I went in and signed up for the monthly coupons. Never got them. Filled out paperwork three times. When I complained, I was told by the clerk my writing must have been eligable. Sorry - never have been back. They had very few customers so I assume I am not the “only” one that was treated “rudely”
I live in michigan and a art quilter. I love hancock fabrics and all the stores are closing in my state. Hancock has ruined my life because of this. I hate
Joanne fabric its like so fake fabric,
like the design has been slapped on the fabric and it reminds me of paper. what can I do now? Does anyone know where a similer store that I can go to in lower Michigan a good one like hancocks? Please help.
e-mail love2quilt@wideopenwest.com
The Hancock Fabric store in Roebuck (near Birmingham, AL) is closing, as is the one in Jasper. Rainbow City (near Gadsden) and Cullman closed several years ago. I live in none of these towns, but close enough to drive in if I needed something. I know of no privately owned fabric stores in this area; several had to close when the WalMarts popped up everywhere (and WM fabrics here were always hideous and of low quality). I plan to try some online fabric shopping (not JoAnn or HL though). Have been purchasing yarns and supplies for knitting online for several years with sensational success, so why not fabrics.
What’s happened to the fabric stores? For starters, schools quit teaching Home Economics in the mid-1980’s. So, for over 20 years, there haven’t been any NEW sewers, unless they paid for their own classes outside of school or learned from their mothers or a family member or friend. So-Fro was a casualty several years ago when Joann’s bought them, now Hancock’s is on their way out. They haven’t had good customer service or clean stores in years. It’s a shame. I’ve had wonderful luck buying fabric on ebay or large fabric retailers on the internet. In Denver, there are only a few stores that offer good customer service and a clean store. I walked out of a Joann’s just this week because I couldn’t get anyone to cut my fabric! I guess they wanted it more than I did. It is marking the end of purchasing yard goods as we knew it.
I live in a very small rural town but have 3 Wal-Mart stores within a 30 mile radius. So far, none of them have starting to rid the fabric dept. I hope they don’t. We have a Hancocks in Moline, Il and another just across the river in Davenport, Iowa, and they are about 40-50 miles. I haven’t heard if they are closing or not, but I certainly hope not. I shop there everytime we are in town. I love to make quilts for my grandchildren, and also donate a lot of quilts to nursing homes, Salvation Army, and charity benefits. The Hancocks here are both very clean, have a wonderful inventory, good prices, and good help. I like Moline much better, but do shop at both locations. I also shop at Hancocks on-line. I usually have an order on-line about every other week. I don’t like having to pay shipping, but really at $2.60 a gallon for gas, shipping is no more than I would pay for gas to drive the 40 miles to Hancocks. But I do prefer to FEEL the fabric. We also have a JoAnn Fabrics, but I like Hancocks better. And I like the quality fabric from Hancocks better than the quality at WalMart. But I do buy a lot of fabric at Wal-Mart also. If Wal-Mart quits the fabric line, and Hancocks closes, I don’t know what I’ll do. I simply CANNOT AFFORD to shop at the local quilt shop. $8.00 a yard and up is beyond my budget. As far as WalMart is concerned, I wonder if they have stopped to realize that while we are in the store shopping for fabric, we also pick up other items, like milk, bread, shampoo, ect. If I have to go elsewhere to get my fabric, I will be picking up these other items elsewhere also. I will not make a special trip to WalMart to purchase these things. They will lose sales on OTHER ITEMS throughout the store, when they chase away the quilters.
I agree with with the majority of your comments from all over. I have also requested to be put on mailing list for sales and coupons many more than three times and never received a mailer or email until I was informed by in store employee that the problem is most likely that you cannot fill in BOTH boxes, it’s either one or the other by ground mail or by e-mail. I took precise care to fill forms out legibly so I know it cannot be the handriting, maybe it’s the hand ‘reader’. Also that I cannot read the promotional coupons because they need to be deciphered by a technical expert by the time you figure what coupon is good for what day, time of day, before noon, or after noon time, etc. I am too tired to drive over. It is degrading to say the least. Whatever the real reason, I find some of store help to be no help at all. I tried to go to Hancock Fabrics after several trips and wasted time and gas because the store in LA on Melrose & LaBrea had closed after being open for a very short time. I couldn’t dream that they wouldn’t have the business to support their endeavor, especially in this area. Wahlmart has some good pickings depending on what you are looking for (mostly in the way of upholstery fabric) on bolt ends.
So I continue to go downtown LA to Michael Levines. Their upholstery and drapery fabrics are in a separate store right across the street from the regular fabrics and they do do have a very large selection at good prices in both stores. Parking is bad and if you get caught in rush hour you’ll never get home again it seems. I wouldn’t mind driving all the way to Ohio for a good fabric shop because actually I probably could make it there and back in the same amount of time it takes to get to any of the stores in Northridge, Moorpark, Simi, Chino, CA etc. So my question is the same as all the rest of yours: “When can we get some quality shops besides Michael Levines and the International House of Silks near the Beverly Center in Los Angeles where customers can actually enjoy a pleasurable and satisfying shopping experience without being overcharged?” I do not mind paying a fair price for a good quality. Arrivaderci!
My store in Port Arthur, Tx. is closing. We have to drive 20 miles or more to get to another fabric store. The workers were like family members. The store and the workers will all be missed.
I live in okc, okla which stores in the surounding town will close
My local store in Chino Hills is also closing. This store will be greatly missed. They often had great high end fabric that you could not find in Joanne. Also, if their was a notion that I needed for other crafts I could always find it at Hancock and not Joanne. It looks like Joanne has won out. Now that leave Joanne, and some of the downtown Los Angeles stores the only other places to find fabric. Hancock will be missed.
Reading the comments above I must add a few. I worked briefly (less than a year) for a Bernia dealership within Hancocks. I learned a few interesting facts. The employees for both JoAnn’s and Hancocks are barely paid minimum wage. Usually it’s a second job bot some and “fun” money for others. Hence the lack of experience, knowledge and incentive. The “displays” that are throughout the stores are sewn by employees, on their free time and are MANDATORY. The store furnishes the fabric and pattens but they have one week to get an item up for display. Would you sew for a store and receive nothing in exchange? Yes, they get an employee discount - 20% - but only off of full price items, never off sale items. As far as Wal Marts’ fabric - that’s no big loss - their quality of fabric is very low. Since becoming a more knowledgable quilter I never buy fabric there. In all fairness - the internet is taking over. You can see and buy the fabric you want. You learn who the good brands are and buy from them. Also, Ebay is wonderful - and a fraction of the cost. It is a sad thing to see - but I always felt their days were numbered when they spread out to “home decorating and furniture”. When I want to go to a fabric store, I don’t want to have to walk around overpriced furniture and knick knacks.
Guess what? I went to the Hancock website and at the bottom of the page(an icon), they have info on their Chapter 11 Bankrupcy. We saved our tiny JoAnne’s in Carlisle,Pa by using an email campaign. I was looking for DMC Senso yarn. JoAnne is selling it in their stores, on line, yes. Terrible section.I will check the local,new, small yarn shop for it. I am not driving to a JoAnne’s Superstore.
Opp.Sorry, JoAnnes is not selling DMC Senso yarn in their stores. I had emailed a request to them about it, got a No as a reply. On line, yes. Terrible selection.
Oops. Sorry, JoAnnes is not selling DMC Senso yarn in their stores. I had emailed a request to them about it, got a No as a reply. On line, yes. Terrible selection. We will shop locally as much as possible.
Our store in Cleveland, TN is closeing. I hate that too. I loved just jumping in the car and in 10 minutes I’m in the store searching for fabric to my heart’s content! We have WalMart and Hobby Lobby but they aren’t quite the same.
I live just outside of Birmingham, AL. We had 4 Hancocks in here. 2 are closing, 2 staying open. [for now]. Only thing is both stores staying open are across town from me, in the same general area. Both stores closing are on my side of town, and close to each other. Guess they thought only people in ritchey part of town sew. But glad at least there will be 2 available. As for Walmart!!!! Just one more reason I will not be going there. There will be very few things now that I will need to go to Walmart for and when I can find those items somewhere else I wont go at all. They no longer care about the people, only their bottom line. Sam Walton must be turnig in his grave.
I live in Lufkin TX and yes our store is closing June 1. Our Walmart is also closing their fabric dept. That leaves only Hobby Lobby which is over priced. The only option is to travel to Houston or Dallas, which is 3 and 4 hours away.
I am really upset about our Hancock Store in Port Huron, MI is closing. I bought a large amount of material there. The quilting and fleece material was so much better quality and the people were such a joy to visit with.
The store in Walla Walla, Wash., is closing, and so is the Hancock’s in Kennewick. That means Walla Walla will only have a JoAnn’s, which doesn’t have such a large on-site collection of decorator fabrics, and the $10/yard cottons at a sewing store. Buying online is an option, but I really like to mix and match patterns and colors from different companies in my quilts, and that’s hard to do without seeing the actual fabrics.
The Hancock Fabrics is closing down here in Livonia on Schoolcraft and Inkster. The Joann Fabrics just closed too which doesn’t leave much around anymore. Everyone is leaving which is getting scary because I don’t want to move out of state but if Michigan doesn’t bring in more stores we are in trouble. Big corporations are leaving and there’s half emtpy strip malls everywhere. Our Livonia Mall which used to be a ritzy nice place to shop has only a handful of stores left and the place is a ghost town. Wonderland is gone and the stupid city is allowing another Walmart to go up in it’s place which means more scum filtering into the neighborhood. Good Job Livonia for only thinking of the money you can rake in while the city turns to crap.
I have shopped at our local Hancocks for 35+ years. 90 percent of the time I get wonderful service from my Hancocks. The only time there has been a problem is when their hours have been cut buy the company. The women their are great. When you need help selecting fabric for a quilt the clerks refer you to the quilt expert of the store, If you need a notion they refer you to the person in charge of the Notions. If its Deco fabric the Deco person handles it. They go above and beyond to make you feel important. They have become our family in the community. They care about us and we about them.
I applaud those women at our Hancocks for the job they do for the price they are paid. (Way under paid)The store is alway neat and clean even during this liquidation sale it steel remains neat and clean they very kind, helpful and nice. THey have been given orders from the man running the sale to quit giving such personal care but they still continue to do so.
They are the greatest. And My hat is off to you girls for a job well done. I will miss you all. And thank you for a job well done, good luck to you all.
Buy the way the quilt shop accross the street could benefit a great deal by offering the same customer service that you offer. They lack the kindness and concern that you people do.
Again Thanks for all you have done.
I have patronized the Hancock Fabric Store nearest my home near Trussville, Alabama for several years. I am very disappointed to hear that this store, located on the east side of greater Birmingham in Roebuck incorporated area, will be closing in about three weeks. As with many other communities this will leave only the specialty stores to fill this market niche in our area and they do not provide anywhere near the selection of fabrics which were available at the Hancock Store — at lease until recently when the selection began shrinking.
I do wish to mention that the management does not appear to have kept up-to-date in catering to the sewing public as the specialty shops do. Thses shops are usually staffed by very creative people who are familiar with new sewing techniques and products and are available to teach and suggest to their customers how to employ these, and in so doing stimulate creativity and motivation to keep sewing.
I’ve never shopped a Hancock’s, none near me, but I’m terribly upset at the closing of another fabric chain. In my 40+ years sewing I’ve seen the demise of independent stores in my area, Sew-Fro, Fabric Tree, heck even Macy’s (nee Bambergers) used to sell fabric ! Till we got a Rag Shop, I had to leave town ro buy a zipper! Rag Shop does not carry a large selection, however I have had some luck since I started quilting. I had primarily sewn clothing and home dec. On-line is ok, but I have to shop “touchy-feely”. Thanks for listening.
Hello fellow sewing friends, yes I am sad that our Hancock Fabrics in Woodbridge, VA is closing, but I can understand why this store is closing. If you had to deal with a cranky sales associate and someone who wouldn’t ask for assistants on a crowded cash register to get the line moving,…need I say more. I believe this one sales associate turned customers off from coming back to shop at this Hancock store.
I have heard customers in the Manassas store talking about this very same problem at the Woodbridge store and why they rather travel to Manassas or elsewhere to shop. I guess I am not the only person who felt the exact same way. When you have one bad sales associate all the friendly and helpful sales associates can’t turn the bad taste in your mouth around.
I feel bad for all the associates who were helpful and very friendly to customers, but this one must have really soured alot of customers. I hope these helpful associates find jobs someplace else very soon and thank them for their courteous manner.
Where can one find a list of all the Hancock stores closing? My local Hancock’s in San Marcos, TX is also closing. This follows the closing of the fabric departments in our local Walmarts. I am so sorry to see them both go as I am now in the same boat with many others who commented that they are left to drive miles to find a fabric store–in my case over 50 miles to San Antonio. Could always consider buying fabric over the internet, but there is something very unsatisfactory about not being able to walk around a store and touch and feel what you are buying! I am going to make the most of the going-out-of-business sale and stock up as much as I can afford.
Hi From the Fox Valley
Just read the artical about all the Hannock stores closing and called our store here in Appleton. Happy to report both Hanncok and JoAnn’s are remaning open. That made my day. I would be lost.
Luckily the store in Mishawaka, IN is not one of the ones closing. My friend and I frequent the store at least twice a month and sometimes more often. The staff is extremely friendly and always ready to answer questions or volunteer help. They are very knowledgible and always courteous. The store is in an older strip mall but kept as clean as possible. We always find”some” fabric to add to our stash.
Our local JoAnn’s is OK but the staff never asks of you need any help.
I am not yet a quilter who feels you must