I said she USED to be a shop owner. That was many years ago. I don't think she'd have an axe to grind any longer. And she's really a very ethical and lovely older lady who has been around a quilt shop or two. I've never heard her say a bad word about anyone. This was just a remark in passing that she made. In the days when I was learning from her, I couldn't afford an LQS and bought from other sources. She never said anything about my choices of fabrics.
And here's another news flash, most quilt shops I've been in DO have good quality fabric. Although one shop I visited on a hop DID carry a few panels from a lower quality line. So, one out of a few dozen ain't bad. It goes back to what everyone here has been saying all along, buy the best you can afford and to heck with what everyone else does!

We have a Hancocks here in town, but the attitude of the sales women was so bad that I only went there if I just had to. One day it was so bad that I called the corporate office. They have a new regional manager now and the store is a delight to shop in. Their fabrics are along the same lines as JoAnn's. No matter where you go, you get what you pay for. I've had good and bad at LQS and the same at the chain stores.

We have 2 stores, 1 was just remodeled. I too prefer them to JoAnn b/c of the good service I get and have found some good quality fabrics. They have better sales than JoAnn as well.

If I were to pick between the personnel at Hancocks or Joanne's in my area, Hancocks would win hands down. I go to my LQS (when I have to, they have really bad taste, too many Civil War fabrics for me), my not so close LQS whom I love, Hancocks, Joanne's... I'm an equal opportunity shopper. I think you're going to find good and bad in any store (although fat quarters are definitely better at my not so close LQS).

Walmarts in my area are discontinuing fabric. The one near me in Pooler still has it

We have a Hancocks and it is great nice and neat and nice fabric. I don't get the fabric that is real cheap and looks like it. But most of their fabric is good.
cassiemae :-)

There are only a few Hancock's left here in Houston, our local store closed several years ago. NO surprise -
Our store was just 5 yrs old in a fast growing suburb, but you'd swear it was 40 yrs old ! Same old outdated design, decor & fixtures. Unfriendly staff, always a mess. Very little to offer for quilters. Then half the store was taken over with overpriced furniture & lamps!!
Don't understand why these chains CAN'T GET IT RIGHT??? It can't be THAT HARD to offer a modern, pleasant, bright FABRIC store - with CURRENT market fabrics, notions, patterns & books - & staff that knows HOW to sew/quilt and actually trained in customer SERVICE???

Oh, I LOVE the Quilt Haus, I visit whenever we are up that way!

That is Hancock's of Paducah, Kentucky - they are NOT related in any way to Hancock's fabric store chain

We have a fantastic Hancock by me! I shop there all the time.