Local Fabric Shops Thrive After Major Chain Closure Forces Change
For decades, quilters and seamstresses around Martinsburg counted on Joann Fabric & Crafts for all sorts of sewing needs. Now, with every Joann location gone—including those in Frederick, Hagerstown, and Winchester—people are scrambling for other options.
Local shops like All About Fabric in Martinsburg and Boxer Craft House in Ranson have suddenly become much busier. Meanwhile, larger chains like Hobby Lobby, Walmart, and Michaels? Folks complain their fabric sections just don’t cut it—selection’s thin, and the quality isn’t great.
Some crafters are branching out, trying online stores or even thrift shops to get what they need. It’s a real shakeup for the community.
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The Closure of Joann Fabric & Crafts: A Major Shift for Quilters and Seamstresses
Joann’s closure left a big hole for people who relied on the store’s variety and essentials. Now, many are searching for new places to buy fabric, both in person and online.
Local Stores Gaining Popularity
With Joann out of the picture, local spots like All About Fabric and Boxer Craft House are getting a lot more attention. These shops offer nicer fabrics and friendlier service, which seems to matter to a lot of former Joann regulars.
Boxer Craft House’s owner, Marie, is absolutely terrific. Their quilting fabric is high quality. I prefer supporting a small local business owner, even if I have to pay more, said Bill Hibbett from Ranson. Mina Greenfield in Shepherdstown also mentioned how much she likes their beautiful cotton fabrics for quilting.
Other Local Alternatives
Besides those two, people recommend a handful of other shops:
- Shady Grove Fabrics in Greencastle, Pennsylvania
- Wilson’s Your Favorite Quilt Shop in Hagerstown
- Stitch N Time in Greencastle
- Webfabrics in Purcellville, Virginia
- Pink Peony Fabric Shop in Hagerstown
These stores have become important stops for anyone serious about quilting or sewing.
Challenges for Clothing and Home Goods Sewers
Quilters seem to have found new favorites, but people who make clothing or home goods are having a harder time. The fabric choices at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, and Michaels just aren’t enough, so some folks are driving farther or turning to the internet.
Longer Trips for Quality Fabrics
Some are making trips to places like G Street Fabrics in Rockville, Maryland. Others are hunting for fabric at thrift stores or online shops.
Sue Cardella, who lives in Hedgesville, recently finished sewing a wool coat using materials she bought online. She tries to keep a positive outlook. Every single thing I buy comes from dependable online stores. I was about 12 when I started sewing. I sewed before there were Joanns, and I stopped going there a long time ago (I’m a natural fiber snob). I’ll continue to sew without them and I’ll be fine, she said.
Online Shopping: A Viable Alternative
For anyone who can’t find what they want nearby, online shopping is the next best thing. Plenty of sewists now rely on trusted websites to get high-quality fabric delivered right to their door. It’s not perfect, but at least it keeps the projects going.
The Future of Fabric Shopping
Joann’s exit has definitely changed how people buy fabric. But it’s also helped some local shops get noticed and has pushed more people to try online shopping. The whole scene feels different, but maybe that’s not all bad.
Supporting Local Businesses
One upside is that local businesses are finally getting some love. Shops like All About Fabric and Boxer Craft House have seen a real boost in customers. Supporting these places helps keep the local economy humming and gives crafters better fabric and friendlier service. That’s something worth holding onto, if you ask me.
Adapting to the New Normal
The fabric shopping scene keeps shifting, and quilters or seamstresses have to roll with it.
Some folks might start checking out new local shops, while others may feel pushed to travel farther just to find quality fabrics.
Online shopping? It’s becoming more common, whether we like it or not.
Still, that love for sewing and crafting sticks around, no matter what changes come our way.
If you’re curious about Joann Fabric & Crafts closing and what it means for local makers, you can read the full article here.