The Ben Franklins that are left are privately owned. We have one in our little town, but now carries too much foreign merchandise since it was recently bought by a foreign family that lives locally. Haven't been in there for 6 months or more. Guess they thought it would work because of it being a college town, but the college people aren't the supporters of local downtown shops.

QuilterPam - Ben Franklin reminds me of the old TG&Y stores. A little bit of everything!

The last one I was in even had some Thimbleberries in it. I imagine it's on the same level as Hobby Lobby when it comes to most of its fabric.

Ben Franklin is the only Craft store that I know of on the island.

Mudose, thats the one I go to!

We have 2 here in Michigan one in Tawas, and another in Gaylord.

Ours closed years ago too. I got some great fabs really cheap, still have some of them in my stash. For me, HL is the closest thing to a replacement store.

And one in Manistique
:wink:

Too bad...there are 2 close by....1 in Sparks, NV and one in Reno, NV. I frequent them often and the sales folks are helpful, especially in Reno.

Hi Sophie: I visited the one in Gaylord last summer. BFF and I were on a road trip. We both bought some neat panels to make earth friendly recycling bags. I use them for my cans and bottles. Wish I had gotten more of them. Did the blizzard hit you up north? Penny in Kalamazoo

I am in the UP of Michigan. The blizzard in south of us - mostly in the lower peninsula. We are having a bright sunny day. Kind breezy and cold. I heard Kalamazoo really got hit. Hope you are all safe and warm.

We got that snow here in AuGres DH just got us snow blown out

We got about 12", not nearly as bad as predicted. DH and I, with help from John Deere, got it all cleaned up. Sunny and clear now, but secondary roads still not opened. All schools and many businesses were closed, but imagine will be business as usual tomorrow.

Ours closed at least 8 yrs ago. I miss it. I could at that time try Walmart for fabric, Hobby Lobby, & Ben Franklin all in the same shopping center. Only have Hobby Lobby left.

Fayetteville, WV still has a Ben Franklin, that is the closest I have for quilting fabric.

There is still a Ben Franklin in Duncanville, Texas and it has some real pretty fabric and other crafts Sure hope it does not close am about 1 hour from but when visit my sister in Dallas I get to go out to the store.

I think that WM ran them out in most areas, them and Michaels and JoAnns. Too bad, they have been a good craft store

Ours is still open but they did away with fabric about 5 or 6 years ago.

We have two stores left in Louisville area. Thats my favorite place to run away to when I get cabin fever.

I love the Ben Franklin in Fayetteville, WV. They have lots of nice fabric. About an hour and 20 minutes from home.

Wow we have 2 with in a 1/2 hour drive. One in Clarkstown, PA and one in Militon, PA

Talking with friend in Traverse City, Mi. and he said 2 stores there.

Ours closed 20 years ago.

Good to know. Thanks

Ours closed years ago too. I used to buy fabric there.

there's 1 20miles from here in Oberlin(college town) still going strong, still has fabric!

Ah, the memories of shopping at Ben Franklin as a child when a nickel bought a lot of candy. I loved going there when I went to visit my American family. I'd forgotten, and now will spend some more nostalgic moments looking at old store pictures on the internet. Thanks.

The BF stores in Grass Valley CA and Reno NV are still open and thriving....great fabric selections too.

There is still a Ben Franklin store in Ojai, CA, and they have a GREAT fabric selection.

Cincinnati, Ohio lost theirs over 30 years ago. I hadn't seen one since until I went to Bethel, Ohio about 10 miles from where I live now. It's a small Ben Franklin but...better small than none.

Can't remember when our BF closed it has been so long. Fond memories of that store.

We still have a Ben franklin in Macon Mo (about 30 min. from here) I just bought over a hundred dollars worth of Designer fabric at 50% off a month or so ago!! It was awesome!

Winterset, Iowa store is still open. They have a large fabric dept. The store is owned by an elderly couple and I LOVE going in there. Fons and Porter are on the other end of the same block. Karen Sue from Iowa

Richmond, VA has Ben Franklin at the Willow Lawn mall. Their store was behind the main mall, and a little while ago, they moved it to a better location up front. My LQS is right next door, then the liquor store..., and Krogers is a couple of store fronts down. All very convenient... :wink:

I don't know if we ever had one near here.

There is one in Bonney Lake, WA that was open a few months ago. I rarely make it out that way but when I do, I always stop.

Ours is going out of business now too.

Ours closed years ago and was replaced by JoAnns.

So, have I! Our church quilting/sewing team makes the trip 1-2 times a year there. It is about a 2 hour drive but we make a day of it and enjoy each other's company.

There's still a Ben Franklin in Broadway, VA. That's about an hour's drive for you from Waynesboro.