Fabric shops near Minneapolis?
 

I have the opportunity to go to the Minneapolis area. We'll have access to a car so I want to go to some fabric stores in the area. (Surprise Surprise!)
I did a google search for fabric stores. Most of them that came up in the area we're staying are chain stores but a couple were not and I was intrigued by a store in Burnsville named SR Harris Fabric.
Anyone been to that store? What was your experience? Is the area safe enough for 3 old(er) ladies to go?
Any other fabric stores you would recommend?
Thanks in advance!

Eagle Creek Quilt shop in Shakopee is a nice shop it is in an old railroad depot.

Quilt Cove in Eagan is a fun shop,... tons of samples and the ladies are very nice.

It's a big area - you can take several hours to drive from one end of the "Twin Cities" to the other. I lived there, and after moving discovered many people use the term "Minneapolis" to mean somewhere in the metro area, but not the actual City of Minneapolis.

So if you are going to be on the south side, Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley are doable. SR Harris main store is on the north side, but the one in Burnsville is easier to deal with as it is smaller and in a more accessible location.

I just spent last Sat. afternoon at SR Harris and came home with some great bargains. I have done business with them for 20 years and if they don't have it, I would be surprised. SR Harris is a warehouse store with two locations. One in Burnsville (their second and more traditional fabric store) and the other in Brooklyn Park is their original warehouse. They carry all kind of fabrics including silk, cotton, fur, upholstery and decorator, and all fabric is priced at 50% off the marked price. Most of their quilting cottons are regular price of 11.99 and 12.99, batiks run 16.99. The warehouse has thousands of bolts of batik and quilting cottons. Including 103" wide batik. Both locations also sell trims and buttons of all kinds by the piece. You cut your own fabric, if less than a 5-yard cut, at the warehouse and are expected to replace it where you found it, but their staff will help you if you need it. The owner is a real hoot and knows very yard of fabric that he carries and where it is located in the warehouse. I have to disagree with Macybaby, as I prefer the Brooklyn Park warehouse because it has so much more fabric, and the staff is generally much more helpful and pleasant. Both stores are in safe neighborhoods, and the warehouse is just off of hwy 169, on an off street. While you are on the north end, check out Millie P's in Anoka. (It is only a few minutes from Harris.) It is well organized, has hundreds of patterns sorted by type so they are easy to look thru and their staff is super. Wherever part of the Twin Cities you decide to go to, I am sure you will find shops to browse and goodies to take home. Have fun!!

Thanks LindaJane and QuiltnNan, I will put those shops on my list!
Thanks Macybaby, I think we are going to be more on the south side, so thanks for the recommendations.
Thanks SueZQ for the great info on SR Harris. I didn't know any stores had you cut your own fabric anymore! I love the sound of that warehouse! I also make stuffed animals and other sewing items so having a store that carries that great a variety is wonderful. And thanks for the info on safety and about Millie P's.
Sounds like I better push a bit to make this trip happen! :)

You will love SR Harris! I have been to both stores several times. The Burnsville store is indeed much smaller, better lit, and more organized. The Brooklyn Park store is my absolute favorite. It is huge, and is truly my happy place! I literally can spend hours wandering there, and never come away disappointed. The prices are 50% off the $$ marked on the bolt. They also have a clearance section, with good mark down prices. The last time I was there I met two ladies who had come up from southern Iowa, and were actually looking for the Burnsville location, and got lost so they wound up at Brooklyn Park location and were in 7th heaven. Don't let the distances fool you. Our freeways are wonderful, (unless under construction). As SueZQ said, Millie P's is a must also. Parking is right out front at both Harris locations, and Anoka, where Millie P's is located has a free parking ramp a block away. I live on the Northern end of town, and getting to Burnsville takes me about 40 minutes. If you get over to St. Paul, and happen to visit anywhere near Como Park, there is a tiny, lovely shop near there called Twin Cities Quilting. Also well worth the trip. Enjoy your visit!

Check quiltinghub

You can drive to St Cloud and go to Gruber's. It is amazing!!

As Anniedeb mentioned, Twin Cities Quilting in the St. Paul suburb of Roseville, is a delightful shop. It has a wonderful selection of modern fabrics. It's a small shop, but it's well worth the trip if you love bright, beautiful modern fabrics.

Four Seasons Quilt Shop at the intersection of Highway 169 and 63rd Avenue North in the Minneapolis suburb of Maple Grove specializes in Civil War, or reproduction, fabrics, but also carries the typical quilting fabrics.

The Quilted Treasures shop in Rogers, about 40 minutes north of Minneapolis, is also a great shop.

Unfortunately, we lost two local quilt shops within the past two years. Blue Bamboo in Plymouth had the best Asian fabrics. Glad Creations at 3400 Bloomington Avenue South, to my knowledge, was the only true quilt shop in the city limits of Minneapolis. Former employees of Glad Creations are trying to establish a quilting co-op in the same location. I hope it succeeds.