I have a quilt shop 3 miles from me - the owner and I don't agree on several things, but I can live with it. I'm there to get fabric, not make a new best friend. She was horrified that I prewash fabric and one time she let me know my color choices weren't what she would pick. Such is life. Another one 12 miles out in the country. Friendly owners and great fabrics more to my taste. JoAnn's is 47 miles. Hobby Lobby is 3 1/2. So, I guess my preferred distance is 12 miles. That's not far in a rural area.