Hancock fabric stores

Marcella Peek · 2007-03-22T17:07:21+00:00

Sad news.marcella -----March 21, 2007Hancock Files Chapter 11Hancock Fabrics announced today it has filed avoluntary petition for Chapter 11 relief. Itssubsidiaries are also filing for the same relief. Thecompany took the action so it can use thereorganization process to improve the company'soperating performance, reduce its secured debt overtime, close underperforming locations, and exitChapter 11.Hancock has negotiated a consensual $105 milliondebtor-in-possession financing arrangement withWachovia Bank, N.A., in which Hancock will gainadditional borrowing capacity necessary to operatesuccessfully under Chapter 11. The company is also inthe final stages of negotiating an additional loan ofup to $17.5 million with another lender.Yesterday the company announced it was closing 104stores in addition to 30 store closings it announcedon February 8.Jane Aggers, president and ceo, said, ?The process ofreorganizing Hancock Fabrics under Chapter 11 is anecessary step to reposition the company for thefuture. It allows us to focus our attention andresources entirely on further improving ourbetter-performing stores and right-sizing ourback-office operations and distribution center. Weintend to complete the reorganization as quickly aspossible, while taking the actions necessary topreserve value for our creditors, customers,employees, and other stakeholders.?Hancock has filed a number of ?First Day Motions? inthe bankruptcy court to support its employees,customers, vendors, and other stakeholders. Amongother things, the court filings include requests tocontinue to pay Hancock employees and to fulfill theneeds of the company's customers as they relate togift cards, merchandise returns, classes, and otherservices.March 20, 2007Hancock to Close 104 Stores; Receives Default NoticeHancock Fabrics announced today it is closing 104stores in addition to the 30 store closings disclosedin a press release dated February 8. The additionalclosings represent approximately $75 million...

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Mika 19 years ago

GMTA Pauline. The sale bins are usually the first place I look on the rare occasion that I go into a LQS. I have found three LQS's that are in what I consider driving distance for me. Meaning they aren't 25 miles away. One of them I have been in three times and three times I have left in disgust at the way I was treated. Twice I was totally ignored and couldn't even get the attention of a salesperson to ask a question. They lost a sale those days. The third time I went I was going to purchase an embroidery machine and spend a sizeable amount of money. The lady that I spoke with about it was a total moron and had no clue about the machine. I knew more about it than she did and she acted like she was too good to even help me. Lost my business for good that day.

The other two shops are nice, I enjoy going to them. One of them I have purchased some marbled fabrics on sale and I did buy my embroidery machine at that shop. They are pretty friendly but are a bit out of the way for me. The other shop I've been in twice. They are friendly and have a nice shop. I have not purchased any fabric there though.

I love the bargain bins no matter where I'm shopping though.

Hugs, Mika

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Mika 19 years ago

Ok since I've re-read this post I can see your question in a different way. I don't know if "overpriced" is the right word or just priced too high. I just think that the price of LQS fabric is too high considering the same quality of fabric can be found at the chain stores. But that is JMO. I certainly respect one's right to choose not to buy fabric from any store but a LQS. It's just not what I choose to do since most of the quilts I make are given away. I just wouldn't be able to give quilts away if I limited fabric purchases to only LQS's. I couldn't afford it. In fact. if I were limited to only buying fabric at LQS's, I would have to give up quilting because it would be too expensive.

I certainly understand your point of view and even agree with you on some points. I guess it's all a matter of perspective of the person buying the fabric and what they intend to do with it. For the most part I just stay away from the LQS's because I know they are out of my budget range.

Hugs, Mika

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Mika 19 years ago

I agree with you Linda. I would say that 99% of my stash is from Walmart, JoAnn's and Hancocks. I can only think of about 8 or 10 pieces of fabric that I purchased at a LQS. One piece is being made into a quilt for DH and me. I bought 3 or 4 pieces of handdye fabric (on sale) at 112 Sewing and I bought a couple of pieces also on sale at a LQS in Ft. Lauderdale. The handdyes I use in place of solids usually. Well I've gotten a few pieces from the internet but most of them were with gift certificates from the FabShopHop. But the other LQS pieces have specific projects assigned to them unlike the rest of my stash.

Hugs, Mika

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Marcella Peek 19 years ago

How about this?

I went shopping for an iron. I wanted the t-fal ultraglide. I found it at Target and Longs and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Same model. $39.99 at every store.

Sometimes I'm shopping for a particular fabric. Say, I want a Moda fabric. I can find it at one local shop for $8.50 a yard and another local shop for $9.00 a yard and the last local shop for (now, yikes they really raised prices) for $12.00 a yard. Seems one is a bit "overpriced"

It's hard to compare say a VIP brand fabric with a Maywood Studios fabric because they are different quality. But from shop to shop in the same geographic area it doesn't seem that prices should be so different for the exact same fabric.

marcella

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Julia in MN 19 years ago

I have a Mill End Fabric Outlet store near me and I find that it is a great place to buy name-brand fabric inexpensively. Some of it is has some flaws, and I suspect that most of the stuff on bolts is overstock and discontinued patterns, but the price is right. Of course, you find "cheap" fabric -- stuff that is too stiff or loosely woven or otherwise seems like poor quality wherever you shop; you have to be careful what you buy. The Mill End near me is a bright, clean store with lots of quilts on display and lots of ideas. The employees are friendly and helpful; several of them are quilters. The Hancock store near me is also clean and well-lit; I haven't bought much quilt fabric there -- just haven't found what I wanted. Employees are pleasant. I seldom go to Joann's simply because it is not as convenient as the others and I haven't found fabric that called to me there. I do go there for batting and muslin when it is on sale or I have a coupon. I also like Hobby Lobby; their prices seem a bit better than Joann's, but don't have as great a selection. I've found some great buys on their sale tables, especially for quilt backs. I am using more and more LQS fabric these days for quilt tops, but I am making smaller quilts and trying to use as much stash as I can. I seldom buy backing at the LQS; I prefer to spend the money on the tops and I can find nice backing at the other stores. I have two nice LQS near me, one close enough to walk. The owner of one is not always the most pleasant person, but I have decided to live with it because it is convenient and I like her merchandise. I don't shop Wal-mart for anything for other reasons; I have other places to shop and am fortunate enough to be in a position where I don't have to shop for the absolutely lowest price on anything.

Julia in MN

Mika wrote:

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Mika 19 years ago

Julia, where exactly is the Mill End Fabric Outlet? DH and I are planning a trip to Minnesota in June to visit his family. I'm always looking for new fabric ventures.

Hugs, Mika

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Julia in MN 19 years ago

The one I go to is in Rochester. There are multiple stores throughout the Midwest; I understand that some of them are not as nice or as "quilt-y" as the one here. There is a complete list of locations at .

Julia > Julia, where exactly is the Mill End Fabric Outlet? DH and I are planning a

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Leanne 19 years ago

If you are going to be on the north side of the city, the Mill End store in Fridley (240 Osborne Road) has a pretty large inventory. It's not fancy but I generally find fabric to bring home with me! Leanne

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Mika 19 years ago

Thank you so much Julia for this link. There are several stores near where my in-laws live so I'm hoping to visit at least one of them while we're there. I'll just have to start saving up for a big shopping spree. I'm sure DH will be happy to send me off shopping with his mom and sisters and leave him to visit with his dad and brothers.

Hugs, Mika

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