TSWLTH?

I've gotten nothing but good service in the three JoAnn stores I usually visit; they are clean and the staff helpful. Plus they have a lot of fabric types my LQS doesn't have such as corduroy, microfibers, netting, upholstry fabrics, etc. They also have a boatload (which is almost a 'buttload' LOL) of sewing notions and thread choices. If they were to close, those who do garment and household sewing (like me) would be very, very sad....

-Irene=20

-Irene

Same here ... though we do have another fabric store (other than our LQS) but they specialize in special occasion fabrics - $100/yd silks, wools, etc. Sometimes you can find a good deal there on clearance silks and such, but not very often since when they DO have the sale I'm not needin' fancy silks! And when I DO need the silks, they're $100/yd! :o

I guess what I'm tryin' to say is that JoAnn's pretty much has it all ... we have a few decorator fabric stores, a special occasion fabrics store and a LQS - but only JoAnn's makes it "one-stop-shopping" - and costs less than 6 months of car payments! :)

Do you ever order notions n' such online?? I've thought about it, but each time I need that particular notion NOW and just head off to JoAnn's rather than wait a week. If I waited for shippin' for every notion when I need it, my pile of UFOs would force me out of my own home! :)

Hugs!! C>Okay, now see, this is why I didn't understand 'bout the name "TSWLTH" -

"Outlanders"

Our JoAnn's is okay -- nothing great, but pretty clean. I am fortunate to have a pretty nice Hancock Fabrics near me (actually closer than the local JoAnn's), so I usually go there for notions and non-quilt fabric. I also have a nice Mill End fabrics here; they have a lot of nice brand name quilting fabric for much less than LQS prices. Of course, you do have to be careful because it is sometimes flawed. A lot of it is short pieces and there is never an entire "line" of fabrics, but the price is right. They also have a lot of decorator fabrics and some garment fabrics. Our JoAnn's is okay -- nothing great, but pretty clean. We also have a Hobby Lobby here, though they don't seem to carry as much fabric as they used to. Their selection of notions is more limited than either JoAnn's or Hancock's, too.

... and pay more for shipping than the cost of the notion :)

Julia in MN

On Sat, 3 Nov 2007 19:40:54 -0600, SewVeryCreative wrote (in article ):

It's pretty disgusting when you think of it. If these sorts of things happened in the private sector people would be appalled. But because it involves public funds, most of the time, people don't give a hoot what happens in "public" buildings.

And then they wonder why teachers and other govt. employees have a "bad" attitude.

Maureen

We have a Mill End here too.

I just wish it were open on Sundays. It's just 5 minutes away, less than a mile, so I really don't have to travel far. Less gasoline makes the fabric deal even sweeter. I love it when I find Benartex or Northcott fabrics there!

You stink!! :) You have a Hancocks?? We don't - 'less you count 100 miles away as havin' one. I used to go to Hancock's all the time when we lived up East ('bout 6 years ago) - but even then, that Hancocks was usually dirty, disorganized, impersonal staff, and such (you would wait up at the front register for 10 minutes before anyone would bother foolin' with you - even when the store was EMPTY). The Hancocks down here (100 miles away) is much like the one in Alexandria was really nice - very upscale in feel.

We have a Hobby Lobby - but their fabrics just don't .... feel right (they feel more like paper sort of). And they seem to be awfully light on the notions - at least the ones I like (I CAN be a bit on the picky side).

Hmmm ... Mill End? I'm goin' to see if they have an online store. I'd love to find another store to order from! :)

We have a LQS, but their hours are so fussy - my DD loves to quilt and by the time she gets out of store and we make it over the bridge (the one that connects PCB - us - and Panama City - the LQS) they're closin' their doors! If we do manage to make it in before they lock up, we always feel like poop-heads makin' them wait for us and end up bein' too stressed to enjoy the shoppin'. So that leaves the weekends - and hubby usually has something already goin' on (Cub Scouts, friends from out of town, campin', etc). We're lucky if we make it once a month into our LQS. The rest of the time it's JoAnn's or nothin'. Or order online. :(

I keep thinkin' that we as a city need to put out ads for more LQS's ... supposedly we had 6 open 'bout 10 years ago ... but they all ended up closin', leavin' only the one. Doesn't everyone know that LQSs are an important part of a town's infrastructure? We have more than enough restaraunts, gas stations, grocery stores and tourist traps - we need more LQSs!! :)

But it's always the others that keep openin' up 'round here - and then closin' within a few months. Nine times out of ten you find a nice restaraunt that you love and adore - only to have it close a few months later because not enough tourists frequent it enough to keep it open. :(

Yuk. Don't get me started! I usually end up payin' nearly as much in shippin' as I do in goods. I usually frequent the online stores when they offer the free shippin' options. Otherwise, I go JoAnn's or just make do! :)

Hugs!! Connie :)

Howdy!

Joann's is what it is. Nice to find what I'm looking for there, not surprising when I don't; fun to bitch about it because it's so easy.

I don't shop at Wallyworld, never, don't have to, can't make me. However, once they've thrown stuff in a dumpster ( & esp. after finding dumpster-divers out there), they should lock the thing because dumpsters are filthy. Sure enough, before too long someone would be reporting that they got sick from food that came from the dumpster-- duh! -- and they'd be trying to sue the store-- because that's how (%^#@! some people are. It's THEIR store, their right to do with the discards as they please. Doesn't matter if we agree with the policy, it's their stuff, they paid for it first, can write off the loss. Seems it's the people who want something for nothing who are doing the most complaining in these cases. 8-? Not shopping at the local Joann's is more likely to get the store shut down for ever than to change any policy; they've seen the light: it shines on profit$.

R/Sandy

Well, It seems that the opinion of how you view your local Joanne's is based on the particular store that you come into contact with, and your own personal expectations of the shopping experience. I would think that if any of the corporate types within that organization were to view this and other threads we have had, they would be shocked at the differing opinions of their company stores. Then again, maybe it is like the Walmart opinions that abound. They are the 800 lb Gorilla in the fabric industry and can do whatever they want. It would seem that they won't increase their profit margins if people that shopped there, and didn't like the experience for whatever reason, would limit their return visits to minimal and absolute necessity.Then again, maybe they meet their return on investment goals as a corporation with their present spotty customer satisfaction percentages. Maybe a forwarding of this and other postings, could stimulate a review on their part of their whole approach to doing business. It takes a long time to build up customer loyalty, but and instant to lose it.

John

I know it's their goods and theirs to do with as they please ... but when they not only use community money to build their store, but holler about how generous they are (all the other stores in the area donated the stuff they couldn't keep to local food pantries - why couldn't Wal*Mart?), it'd be nice if they gave back - 'specially when it's a huge crisis like a hurricane that's expected to bring tornadoes by the bushel (and you can bet that if they experienced significant damage, they'd expect a li'l help in return)! And since they were goin' to throw everything out anyway, I didn't see how it would have hurt them to repay our community (and those who are less fortunate) back. 'Specially when they continually holler about their generosity (and yes, they do give a bit here and there to non-profit groups).

Very often when a company wants to do a big development in a community, they negotiate with the local government for some tax breaks on the grounds that their development will boost the local economy, bringing more money into the community and supposedly a net gain for the local government. Often the negotiations also involve requests for the local government to develop new infrastructure, such as streets, water, sewer, other utilities.

Julia in MN

I meant Wal*Mart ... I spoke to the Wal*Mart manager (and then talked to one of our Tourist Development Board Members to confirm) and they both said that our taxes went to Wal*Mart and paid for all property and construction costs - that that's how WM builds their stores in most, if not all, communities.

The thinkin' seems to be this: most people will move to a city if it's got decent infrastructure - and WM seems to be a big attracter. I mean, I figger it is considerin' that most towns consider WM to be a big plus? So back in the early 90s when our store was built, WM came to the TDB and asked if they'd put up the money and our community used our tax dollars to buy the land (for WM - it belongs to them) and build it.

Sooo ... considerin' that "we" gave them over a billion dollars (countin' the value of the prime real estate that they sit on and the actual construction) and they've only, by their count, given back about $100,000 to the community, I say they could have damn well have let the stuff that was goin' to go to waste anyway go back to the community. Or pay us back in full. :)

Now you have to understand ... we got a huge chunk of refugees from Katrina and we ALL did everything we could to make space, give food, comfort and such, and we've withstood a lot of damage from previous hurricanes. So we tend to think "if someone needs help, you DO it!" and WM not helpin' was seen as completely separatin' themselves from our community (though the store certainly depends on the community). So everyone here was completely up in arms 'bout it. And FTR, even Wal*Mart corporate threw the staff at the time to the "wolves!"

The manager became a bit of a pariah (he was the one that said lock the dumpsters) and later moved. I don't support that (his bein' run out of town - that's pretty much what happened) - but if I were he, I would've done the same, I'm sure!

This might be a better analogy on how the average PCBian viewed the Wal*Mart thing ...

Someone posts here that they've experienced a terrible tragedy and asks for help with a Hug Quilt - well, everyone here would jump to help, right?

But what if someone here not only refused to help, but cussed that person out for havin' the guts to be askin' as well? And then pointedly said "Here ... I'm goin' to throw out these perfectly nice orphan blocks that would go perfectly in a Hug Quilt ... and I'm going to chain down my trash can so you have NO hope of usin'em - assumin' you're desperate enough to dig through my garbage. Even though, really, you've given me the fabric to make'em."

That's how we in the community took it.

Now, that would be that person's right to say that and do that, right? But it doesn't make it right. And I don't think we'd respect the person who took that attitude ... or even ever acknowledged their presence again!!

I'd like to think that I'm a Christian (not tryin' to shove my beliefs down anyone's throat, here) and that I'd be inclined to forgive. And I think I could. But I wouldn't be able to forget. No sir. I'd not ask for help from that corner of the room ever again - and I'd probably not find myself rarin' to help them in return.

Where are you? I don't want to live there! I am having a tough time with the 'billion dollars'. The incentives would probably more likely be to get the sales tax dollars. Of course you have to discount all the taxes lost from businesses that went under when Walmart came. If they had to intice Walmart to come the property probably didn't have much real value at the time. You all are making me appreciate crappy old SO. Cal. ! So I am curious. Where do you all shop? Taria, sure I need more coffee

SewVeryCreative wrote:

I don't know for sure about the billion - that's what the word is, but the rumor mill here is alive and kickin' - I do know the property is worth at least $5 mil, if not more - it's prime-next-to-the-beach property. A 3 bedroom house here on a 1/2 acre lot goes for about $400K at least. The WM sits on about 1 1/2-2 acres. And it's flanked by a few good fast food restaraunts and several condos. A year ago, WM talked about sellin' it and movin' the WM about a mile away to cheaper property - they were offered $5 million for the property they're on now. They didn't think it was enough!!

Friend of mine owns a 1/2 acre (empty) lot on a road adjacent to the WM and he bought it for $10K back in the 80s - today it's worth $500K. The property values continue to skyrocket each year ...

But building costs here are also outrageous ... contractors for the average condos make a small fortune. The average contractor owner drives a two minute old H3 ... and that's usually his "run-around" car! So you can imagine what it cost for US to build that damn WM.

We've gone back to shoppin' there - though we've now (thanks to the TDB) got more than enough other stores to shop in (most REALLY upscale - in a town where the average person makes $30K a year. *snort*). But we went back after the manager was tarred and feathered - and after WM took out a full-page ad in the Sunday paper apologizin' and sayin' that kind of parsimony and callousness was not the "Wal*Mart way of doin' business." And they had to - after a month, they were talkin' about closin' the store cause it wasn't makin' any money 'cept for the tourists. And we support the store more'n they do ... they only support it for about 4 months - we support it for 12! :)

But our TDB is voracious in tryin' to attract the upscale and outrageous businesses. WM fallin' into the latter, not the former - though you wouldn't know it lookin' at their prices. We have a WM across the bridge (in Panama City - we're in Panama City Beach - not a huge difference except for the attitude and cost of livin') and their prices are usually 'bout 5-10% lower. Go figger.

Our TDB makes deals all the time that just make us scratch our heads and say "What the *&#@??!!" - we just recently swapped our marina (though it's still bein' litigated about by historic societies) to another condo developer ... the marina as it is is about 200 years old with original buildings. The property is WAY valuable and the property they're tradin' us is worth about a pittance of that - in actual value and convenience.

Our TDB is also tryin' to close the beaches proper to the public (AKA natives) and givin' the condos complete and utter access. We've already lost

There's more to tell ... plenty more. But if I tell you, you'll think we're even more stupid than half the planet already does!!

One of our funniest issues (and I use the term "funny" loosely) is our ex-mayor Lee Sullivan. We've been hollerin' for a stoplight in front of one of our schools. So many accidents have occurred there that we REALLY need a stoplight. So we complained, begged, threatened, etc. Each time, we were told "Not enough money, sorry. If we had access to the money, we'd do it for sure!" So, someone complained and pettitioned the DOT, and they reviewed the case and said "Yep. You need one here. It's state-maintained property, so we'll do it." Our ex-mayor, in his idiocy, SUED them!! Sayin' "It's my town and you can't put a stoplight there unless I say so!" How ridiculous is THAT???

He didn't win, BTW. But he's STILL litigatin' it - even though he's no longer mayor!! Can you imagine???

So, yep, on the screwed up scale, we rate about a million. Trouble is, very few people are willin' to run for office. The ones that DO are usually dipsticks. Go figger!!

I forgot to mention a couple of other goldies:

'Bout three years ago, our entire TDB ended up in a fistfight!! Three members were carted off to jail (though no charges were ever pressed, I don't think). It was all over the new airport they're puttin' in about 40 miles away (and closin' the one we have now). The fight? About whether or not a 40 mile drive to the airport would be convenient to locals!! LOL!!

Oooh!! This one's good, too! About a year ago, our County Commissoner, Gainor, tried to carry a loaded weapon (one security official at the airport said he smelled alcohol on him) onto a plane!! It was sittin' on top of his clothes (easy for the security officials to see, of course)! What was Gainor's excuse? It was there from a previous trip!! The man wasn't searched or anything - they said "okay, well you can't take this on the plane, Sir" and let him go!

Now, you KNOW that if it was you or me, we'd be strip-searched, & cavity-searched, six ways to Sunday!!! And then locked up for the rest of our lives as a terrorist! >:/

Maybe it's time to contact your local newspaper / tv station and let them know what's going on -- a little publicity (or a LOT) would help to get your point across. Several letters to the editorial page might get results (or at least have the situation looked into!) AND Voting! It's one way to let them know what you will / will not stand for.

Thankfully, we have open-to-the-public school board and town council meetings up my way.

I still can't figure out where you are. FYI, building costs everywhere are outrageous. No shortage of people driving vehicles they can't afford either. : (

I would say not much of anything that goes on in your town seems what anyone would call 'normal'. I don't even want to drive through. I can't imagine what the pd is like. TAria