I look for fabric collections that would typically not be available from local sources. For example, I work with lots of metallic fabrics and my local sources are limited , so I am always on the "hunt" for spectacular metallic fabrics. I also hunt for batiks every chance I get. So as not to waste time and gas I will call ahead to see if they stock items that are of interest to me. I learned this the hard way ...once traveled quite a bit from my travel route only to find out they only carried about 10 bolts of batiks.