They are closing all the stores in Michigan by June.
Hancock Fabrics sells its last stitch Friday, March 23, 2007 By Mary Radigan The Grand Rapids Press
Mary Walenga knew Hancock Fabrics was struggling, but as manager of the store at 2855 29th St. SE, she never expected the retailer to close its doors.
But Walenga and her 12 employees got the word a week ago that Hancock Fabrics Inc. corporate officials in Baldwyn, Miss., would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and close 104 stores. ...
Well, that explains the 3 stores closing in Houston. I was at a liquidation sale on Friday, picked up a nice (mostly) cotton knit for $1.20/yd and some other stuff. They are only giving 20% on most fabrics at this time. It is a shame that the fabric business is declining. Everyone needs to go out and buy more fabric! (Just kidding, I know we are all doing our fair share...)
*Sigh* Let's see; WalMart ran out our really-super-awesome local fabric store. WalMart got rid of it's fabric section. We were finally left with a crappy Hancock's, and a quilting cotton section at Hobby Lobby. Now, Hancock's is closing because they aren't getting enough business. Where exactly am I supposed to buy fabric again?
well...looks like I'm going ot have to call my local (not really) Hancock's and check the status of their store...may have to make a road trip down there after all .
Larisa, who has always been used to JoAnns...though briefly, I had a Minnesota Fabrics store that I frequented and loved...then we moved
My Hancock's closed last summer. They rarely had coupons such as JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby and had very few craft items. Some sewers often do a bit of crafting, too, and travelling to two stores can be a waste of time. Why not make one stop and get it all? I enjoyed my Hancock's as it was five miles closer than JoAnn's but they were rather skimpy on hired help.
The Hancock store in Clearwater FL is closing, too. The sign says you can still shop at the one in Tampa but it is much too far for me to travel. The Walmart still has fabric but they have been cutting down on their selection and the saleswoman told me that the manager had been told they would soon discontinue fabric by the yard. That leaves us with one Joan's...and it is more crafts than fabric.
The latest Hancock ad circular arrived in the mail, and did not impress me. They are all over the map with product lines. RTW crinkle skirts and T-shirts, and scrubs. (Yes, scrubs.)
At today's outing I looked at the store a bit more critically. The one on Plainfield in Grand Rapids (Mich) used to have a street sign out front, but when their neighbor Frank's (nursery and crafts) closed, a big traffic stream went away. Now there's a grocery (Sav-on) next door, but no Hancock sign out by the street. Plus it's across from a K- Mart (al;so struggling) and a shuttered movie theatre. (When they changed their closing hours to 8 pm weeknights, I knew it wouldn't be long.)
Inside there's a lot of furniture and decorative accessories product. Tons of fleece (and it's 75 degrees here today). Loads of yarn, bling- your-jeans, and Easter goods. The staff mentioned that the store is no longer owned by Hancock, but by the liquidation company. Some genius (probably the same one who wanted Wally World to sell nuthin' but pre- cut prepackaged fabric) decreed that you can buy a minimum of two yards. (This makes no sense; the staff is standing there measuring and cutting anyway.) All the home dec flatfolds have been measured and priced, with cheerful (not!) messages about how you can buy this piece or leave it there; no option for smaller amounts.
I might have mentioned I'm buddies with the Field's folks. (They are not the least bit sad.)
So what did I get? Found several yards of a heavyweight print with urban buildings and bright flowers on periwinkle. (Had about 1 yard, not enough to do much with.) SInce my next career move is going to be squarely in the realm of city planning (there, I said it), I have been collecting and wearing cityscapes as incentive. This might become an unstructured jacket (safari-like) and matching skirt, for casual evenings at planning conferences or dropping in on zoning hearings.
And some blush-colored sheer stuff that exactly matches the sewn-in slip of a GoodWill find. One of those lace overdresses with gussets. The lace was almost white with purple flowers & green leaves; I threw it into a dye bath and now it's lavender-periwinkle. The slip part is evidently from a size M and soon that will be remedies. I only needed about a yard; sorry, gotta take two.
And a bunch of buttons (30%) and big-headed pins (likewise). Their notions stock is complete, along with many items like foam forms and dyes and home dec trims. Patterns are only 50% off and you can do better at a 99 cent sale at TSWLTH.
I wondered what the thoughts would be on the Hancock situation. Now for some notes from inside. so far I sitll work at a store that is in liquidation ( fancy words for closing)
We got word on Friday a week ago, a call in the Am from the DM advising our store had not made the cut and would close. About 4:00 another call told of the liquidator arriving in the morning. He did show up on Sat. On sunday his signs went up and we were really a Hancock store in name only. All decisions are now in the hands of the liquidator. All previously discounted fabric ( and anything else) went back to regular price and most then went to 20 percent. Some of that had been in clearance for 50 and even 70 percent.
Now we get to work more hours, the expectation is that as the end nears we will be EXTREEMLY busy.
If anyone is intersted in shortterm parttime work, put in an app, most stores will be picking up help. Our store is estimated to last 12 weeks.
Anyway that is the only thing we get from the company on severence no nothing. I suggested to the manager when she voiced her concern in not being able to do anything for "HER GIRLS" that she write us all letters of recomendation. She said that was a really good idea, but I'm not holding my breath. By the way I've been there over 11 years, as are most at our store. Our manager has been with the company for 30 years, is 60 years old and is she wants to keep her insurance till she retires she has to pay for it. I overheard at over $900.00 a month.
If I sound a little bitter I am. We were given no notice. I'm in a little different situation that the rest of our crew. I'm a 56 year old widow and my sole support. So I'm pounding the pavement.
This round of closings takes 104 stores the last took 30 and there were another about 50 closed in the few years before that.
Same with the fabrics at Mt Dora. Yeah, the closest fabric dept with be in the Tamps area. The 2 - 3 hour drive is too much for me! At least I will have Joann's in Traveres! Barbara in Eustis, FL
Thank you for your post from your unique perspective. I am sorry that your store is closing, and hope you will be able to find a new position shortly.
I don't know yet if the Hancock's store in our town will close also, but will find out when I go to town later this week. I've shopped there for more than 30 years, have seen the store move to a new, larger location and upgrade its fabric line, as well as add the less desirable (IMO) non-sewing-related merchandise. Two of the clerks have been there all that time, and I worry about their employment.
Looks like they're closing the one in Newark, CA, but not in Hayward. Shoot. Newark is on my way home from work. I could stop by on my bicycle as well, when needed. And they all became used to this fella who makes his own shirts and backpacks, and griped about no Gutterman thread.
Now they're advertising 30-50% off. And they have big signs on the front door: "extra cash? Sign-holders needed." (Of course these stores are well off the beaten path for any day-workers who might be available or interested.)
The clerk I've known for umpteen years told me Wednesday that according to 'district' our local Hancock is not among the stores that are closing...made me very happy.
That is basically the same thing DD was told and also what she read on their website. She is in Memphis and as you may/may not know, TSWLTH is not in TN, SC or NC as far as I can determine, unless a couple have opened recently. Emily
I remember hearing somewhere they were opening in Nashville, but I haven't been there in several years, although I love the "OPRY". I don't know of any other city in TN that has JoAnn's, not in Memphis, for sure, and none in northern MS. Someone said there was one open on the Gulf Coast of MS some
10 years ago or so, but I never saw it all the times I've been back. I know there isn't one around Greenville/ Spartanburg SC since I go there often to see my DGD. She is 8 and would certainly tell me if she saw a new fabric store. She & I always visit the fabric dept at Wal-Mart when I'm there. Emily
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