I also have about about a 45 mile drive to Joanne's. I've discovered that there is a vast difference in competence and desire to give excellent service from one employee to the next, even within the same location. Although the one girl who seemed to not give a care didn't stay long...guess they did have to let her work the 90 day trial period before they let her go???
However the only thing local is Wal-mart and we all know what a mixed blessing that can be, although ours usually has better selection than many of the larger ones, as we petitioned hq to let ours retain a good fabric dept because of there being nothing else within 30 - 45 mi.