when i first started making quilts i had no idea you could buy fabric online. i didn't find out about that until i joined the board.
up til then i bought 99.99% of my fabric at walmart. the nearest anything else is 45 miles away.
i still buy fabric at walmart, but as their prices have gone higher and i've gotten better at hunting down bargains, i've had to rely less on walmart.
i'm not saying that to "diss" walmart fabs. i point it out for those who've lost their local fab departments. if you surf the net, you'll find lots available for just about the same price as walmarts priciest fabs. there are even a few places to find fabs for under $3 per yard before shipping.
WalMartians Unite! but don't lose all hope if you lose your fab dept. just grab a beverage and a snack and surf. ;-)