I also would like to bring a little balance to the JoAnn-hating. I've lived in various parts of Michigan all my life, and have shopped at JoAnn's in Battle Creek, Midland, Lansing area (several JA stores there), Ann Arbor, Plymouth-Canton area, and Marquette. I have to honestly say that I don't ever recall being treated rudely by any clerk, nor have I witnessed any rude treatment toward someone else. (Not to say it never happens, just that it's never happened to me.)
The clerks are just ordinary people: some are friendly and chatty, others are just all business. I've been a full-time mom for many years and so do most (but certainly not all!) of my shopping during school hours, when stores are less busy.
On the other hand, I do get frustrated with JoAnn's limited selection and sometimes poor quality of fabric. I am also irritated by the amount of "junk" that they sell, like cheap kitchen gadgets or plastic beach toys, or even park benches! Who would go to a fabric store to buy a park bench?!? For these reasons, I wish I had some alternative physical (not on-line) place to shop. But they do have good selection and sales on things like patterns and notions.
So in summary, there are some things I like about JoAnn's, and some things that truly frustrate me. But around here, it's about the only fabric store we have.
D> Pat, I have a similar experience with the store near me. It has been