Joann Fabric

I haven’t been to a JoAnn fabric in years, usually opting for Michaels. I recently purchased a sewing machine and decided to try JoAnn for supplies. I was floored by the great selection of craft and sewing supplies. Each employee I worked with was very helpful and kind. I will definitely be back to the Edina location.

HORRIBLE customer service. The woman working in the fabric sewing section is the rudest condescending person I’ve ever met. Unfortunately after speaking with the manager she informed me that they outsource the people working in that department from other companies. Shame on you Joann Fabrics for allowing such a rude employee to represent your brand.

I used to think that Jo-​ann Fabric’s was a lame craft store to shop at, but over the years I have found that it just depends on the location you choose. I’ve also found that when you put it into context by comparing it against other fabric stores, it ain’t so bad.
But seriously, why do all fabric stores have a chinsy thriftiness «feel» to them?
In a sense, I grew up in Jo-​Ann stores. My mom was an avid sewer and crafty, therefore, the two girls she was raising would be, too. I remember when Jo-Ann’s used to be located in RIDGEDALE MALL… and then it went across the street to Bonaventure, which is cramped and semi-​dumpy. BUT, I’m not reviewing Bonaventure’s location today, I’m reviewing the Edina location.
Of all of the Jo-Ann’s that I’ve shopped at, the Edina one is my favorite because of the size and variety of items. Other than that, there’s nothing left for me to be impressed by. They keep the store fairly clean, but there’s a tremendous lack of employees vs. shoppers ratio and when you’ve got questions about types of fabrics, I don’t want to stand in the fabric cutting line that’s already 14 people deep.
I also used to think that crafty people were kind, wicked-​creative, and helpful, but the employees (not all, of course, but it’s the ones who have sadly left an impression) that seem to work at Jo-Ann’s give off an introverted and unhelpful vibe unless you can corner them.
Does anyone remember Target back in the 80’s when it was embarrassing to admit that you shopped there? They had a cheap and chinsy selection (with that horrible fluorescent lighting), but they filled that cheap and chinsy retail void until Wal-​Mart came along to threaten their game (since Kmart was even more embarrassing to admit that you were shopping at). Then sometime in the 90’s Target went through a makeover and emerged as a place you could boast about purchases from (they warmed up their store lighting, too).
What I’m saying is, Jo-Ann’s could recreate themselves to provide a better feel, look, and service before someone else does… Jo-Ann’s HAS the potential to become awesome.
But for now, the coupons keep me coming back…

Waited for 45 minutes for the cutting line. They had 4 people working, but they worked slow on purpose. Terrible customer service!

Can I give less than 1 star rude rude rude rude rude rude rude rude rude rude rude rude rude did I mention the fact that they’re really rude
go somewhere else to shop.

I have been going to this store for many years. In the last 6 months or so, the staff and the way the business is being run has taken a nosedive. I ran in there to get just a few things, no one could help me find what I wanted, so I wondered around and finally found what I had come for. I got in line, I looked around and saw 1 clerk and 14 people in front of me! I asked another clerk to call for help and she said the manager will be coming as soon as he is finished helping another customer. I mean come on. One clerk 14 people in line? They are trying to save money, but at whose expense? I will NOT be back.

«In space, no one can hear you scream.» –Tagline for the movie «Alien».
In Jo-ann’s, no one can hear your plea for help.
I’m not crafty whatsoever, so when it comes to shopping at stores like Jo-ann’s, I need a lot of assistance. I had a mission of buying only three things –fabric markers, glue sticks, and stickers– and it took me a damn hour to get everything.
Unfortunately, sections of the store are poorly labeled, and helpful staff are as scarce as a vegetarian at a steakhouse. I walked around this gigantic space for about ten minutes looking for help, and I felt like a hitchhiker trying to wave down a ride. Some pretended to ignore me. Others scurried away to the back room or vanished behind the tall shelves. And when I did find someone to speak to, she just pointed in one general direction and said, «The glue is over there.» Where? Is it next to the large section of picture frames, the customer service desk, or the area with an endless variety of ribbons? If Hell exists, I imagine it would somehow incorporate the largest Stair Master in the world, ginormous tarantulas, Gary Anderson’s missed field goal during the 1998 NFC Championship Game, Lutefisk, and Jo-ann’s Fabric and Craft.
In the end, I did find all the things I wanted and even received an apology from one of the staff members for the lack of help. That’s nice. However, only a Christmas miracle could get me to come back to Jo-anne’s. In other words, I hope to never return.

Not my favorite Jo-Ann’s but it is the closest one, so it has to do in a pinch. If I have time, I drive further to cleaner Jo-Ann’s.

Super-​friendly service wihout a smile. I went in knowing only that I needed something to stuff a bench-​seat-​cover with.
A staff member advised me to pick out foam and batting. She was kind enough to cut the foam to the size I needed — if you don’t have an electric knife you cannot do this at home. She did tell him the only reason she could do this is because they were not busy. So if you need help like I did, remember to pick a slow time to go.

This review is for the framing section of the Jo-​Ann store. For the past eight years I have been running off to Europe and coming back with various pieces of art. Mostly I go for oil paintings, but also an occasional watercolor. A lot of the paintings coming from Eastern Europe were purchased without a frame. They tend to use crappy materials and it is cheaper and easier to transport the paintings without the extra bulk. This leaves me in desperate need of framing.
Towards the end of summer I go out to California and my mother comes to Minnesota. As part of my compensation for house/​pet sitting for a month, she comes here for their annual 60% off framing sale and hooks me up. I pick out the art I like in Europe, then she gets busy at matching a spectacular frame with museum quality glass to protect it.
The workers here know many good tricks for making your art really pop. When I wanted pictures set back so the glass doesn’t touch the art, they are able to find the perfect spacers. There are various other tricks I could go into detail about, but just trust me that this is a place you should go if you are looking for quality and affordability.