Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts

I have been visiting fabric stores since I was a little kid. My mother was an avid crafter including having booths in some of the largest craft fairs in the Portland Oregon area. I have been to fantastic establishments with excellent customer service. I have also been to places where one would think that he or she was offending the core values of the workers simply by walking through the door.
Jo Ann’s fabric is an establishment that had its pluses and minuses. On the one hand, this store has the best selection of fabrics and supplies in Reno. On the other hand the service is unbearably slow except for Black Friday. And that is the only exception.
If you need good prints on your fabric go to Jo Ann’s. If you want speedy friendly service, this may not be the store for you.

I don’t know, maybe it deserves 3 stars — but maybe not. I’m judging JoAnn’s based on its role as a fabric store. The craft stuff leaves me cold.
The problem is that the store is so badly organized — or at least the books are. Really awful. There is a big long display case for books in the back of the store and the books in it are all mixed up, not really sorted as to subject, and crammed so full of books that are jammed in there anyway they can be force-​fit that you have to empty entire sections just to look at what’s been squeezed so tightly in there. I was trying to find a particular book which the store database said was in stock — but who knows where. There’s no way of telling where anything is the way that display case is (not) organized, and on top of it they have books scattered higgledy-​piggledy throughout the store.
When I stopped an employee to get some help finding this book, she just smirked, shrugged, and walked off. This happened probably last year and I’ve not been back to the store except to use the odd 60% off coupon since. I’ve been shopping at the Sparks Hancock instead. THAT is a real fabric store, and most everybody there knows how to sew and knows something about fabrics, knowledge that seems to be in short supply at JoAnn’s.
The only thing I ever stop in for at JoAnn’s anymore is the odd bit of yarn. Mostly I buy my yarn online now, and most of my textile books as well. There’s a REASON why so many people shop Amazon instead of local brick-​and-​mortars, and stuff like this is why. Why should I sort through a display case about 15′ long and 5′ high overstuffed with books for the one I want when a 5 second Amazon search will find it FOR me — and cheaper to boot?
I honestly prefer shopping brick and mortar for most things, but not if it means doing without what I want or need simply because store personnel don’t bother to keep things organized and won’t bother to help a customer find something in the mess that results from lack of maintenance.

Great place for craft supplies as well as fabric and sewing needs. I’ve found great «throws» of fleece/​polar-​tec material in the remnant section. They have tons of lace and other accessories limited only to one’s imagination. You can sign up to get discount coupons that really make a difference in what you can purchase.

Staff is really friendly and went out of the way to try to find what I was looking for.
Seeing as how I don’t frequent craft stores and was running an errand for my wife, that was really helpful.

Yes, this is primarily a fabric store, but they do have other craft supplies. I stopped in to kill time while the guys were in Harbor Freight. They have a pretty decent selection of fabric, at least from my perspective (I don’t sew or own a sewing machine). But it’s fun to look at the patterns.
Once I wore myself out on fabrics, I went on the search for markers. I found kids markers, but I was looking for something more like Copics — nice, fine-​tipped markers. I never found anything like that and wandered the whole store. I figured they be with scrap booking supplies, but no such luck.
I ended up in the fake flower section. I wished they had a little more selection, especially with their vases. But I did find a few flowers plus some greenery to make a nice bouquet. It’s been a long time since I bought flowers from a craft store, so I don’t know how their prices compare, but for a vase, 3 flowers, and 1 greenery/​filler, I spent $ 60. I had to convince myself that I really liked those flowers!

I went into this store for the first time and at first was excited, I was building a seat and needed a cushion. They had some extremely dirty cushions that were way over priced!!! I asked if they could be discounted due to the filth built up on them and was told no by two employees. I will not go back.

Craft stores are a second home to me!
I love to just come in here and wander. Sometimes I have a project in mind, sometimes I’m needing something for a project in the works, and sometime I come in hoping to come up with a project to dive into. This store is good for all of that.
On this visit I was in looking for some fabric. There was so much on sale and I loved wandering the aisles. I couldn’t find exactly what I had in mind but that wasn’t their fault. Us crafters have these vision boards in our heads that we often can’t find in real life.
I wandered to the scrapbooking section to find my favorite albums on sale for 50% off, a fantastic deal! I got two. I also got a mini kit for 50% off. It is rare to come in here and not buy things on sale or be able to use a coupon to get a good deal! That’s why I shop here.
This place is a heaven for crafters and a bit dangerous to the wallet.

I came in here looking for darning thread or yarn (some of my expensive Thorlo socks need darning) and each clerk I asked looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. I assumed so because no one darns anymore? I searched the store myself, but could find nothing suitable.

I like to sew so I find myself coming to Jo-Ann’s frequently for a wide variety of fabrics. They have a decent selection; especially if you are looking for pretty basic materials. I was most recently buying drapery lining here, and with a coupon or sale, the prices are pretty reasonable. I tend to dread my visits because it can be a Jekyll and Hyde store. At least half the time, it seems to take forever. I’ve learned to grab a cut-​counter ticket first, then find what I’ll need cut because inevitably there will be at least 5 to 10 people waiting before me. I understand cutting fabric takes time as to insure accuracy, but then when you are finally done, you get to go stand in line for at least 30 minutes to check-​out at the front. I don’t think the phase «back-​up to main» is used here, but they always have two or three registers just sitting there while the ridiculously long line starts to wrap around the store. I’m not talking about black Friday shopping either, just your regular Sunday afternoon. When I can, I try to shop at the Carson store. For some reason, that store is never busy and always quick enough to get finished during my lunch.

I find the fabric cutters extra cautious and careful when cutting my fabric. I’m always asked if the end is not even if I’d like it straightened first then cut. The cashiers are great about helping you find the best coupon for your purchase. The store could be kept a little neater.

The store was in complete disarray, understaffed and by the time I got anyone to help me they were rude and completely unhelpful. I was amazed by the lack of concern for customers and completely turned of by having to wait, while the girls working exclaimed that they needed their smoking break. I only came here because Mill End is closed on Sunday but I will always wait for Mill End to open rather than ever returning to this store. So disappointed.

Nothing like getting home and starting my project, only to find that I was shorted on my fabric piece. I called and talked to the manager, and she assured me that she would re-​train her employees. However, I think if you work at a fabric store, you should understand the properties of fabric. The reason I was shorted was that the guy measured the fold only, with no allowance given for the possibility that the selvage edge wasn’t straight.

The prices are fair. The store is usually in various states of disarray but if you know what you are looking for you’ll do okay. The cashiers are pretty good at finding a coupon for you if you don’t have one.

Basically my review is don’t ask… about presser feet, notions, dress forms, quilting, anything. Everytime I’ve needed help in here the person I ask gets on their little mic thingy and asks all the other sales people my question and no one can answer it. Sometimes I’m lucky and another customer will overhear me and help me out with some info but I’ve stopped going here due to the staff’s complete lack of knowledge of anything sewing related.

I really like coming to this JoAnn’s, as the staff is friendly and helpful, and they have a pretty good selection of fabric and crafty stuff.
The fabric is typical JoAnn’s: Few natural fibers except cottons, lots of glitzy stuff for prom dresses, and quilting and baby fabric. If you’re looking for luxe fabric, this is not the place. But if what you seek is material to make a prom dress, a quilt for baby, or some other low-​commitment type of garment, this is a good source for everything you need.
They also have an extensive section of trims in the rear of the store, which is something you don’t see in the smaller JoAnn’s stores, like the one in Carson City. JoAnn’s has frequent specials and coupons, so you’ll rarely pay full price for anything.
I’ll agree that the service, while friendly, is not always the speediest. I waited quite a while at the unattended cutting table this evening. It would be nice if they put a call button there so customers didn’t have to stand waiting for someone to take notice of them.
Fabric stores selling nice fabric in Reno are basically non-​existent, so let’s all be thankful that at least we have a JoAnn’s.

This store needs a make over!!! The staff for the most part are great! They will help you find it if they have it. However they are slow at ringing people up. They seem to never have enough people cutting or ringing. There are alot of times that the store is just a mess and I have come to live with it… but it doesnt mean I have to like it! I do like how it has alot more fabric and yarn then going to Carson City.

Good place for fabic, but very high prices. I will go back only with my coupons…

Where do I start…
I hate having to write a bad review for a place, but I feel Jo-​Anns really deserves it. I’ve been sewing for over 6 years, and since Joann’s is one of three fabric stores in town, I’m forced to shop here on occasion.
First off their customer service ⁹⁄₁₀ times is rather lousy. The people there seem to be just doing a job and could care less if you are there or not. Any time I’ve had to get floral paints out of the spray paint cabinet I have to ask about 3 people and wait 15mins before I can get someone to open it. On the rare visit I’ll get good customer service and get someone that goes distance to see if they have what I need in stock (this happens maybe once a year, yet I’m in there at least 3 – 4 times a month).
The selection on fabrics is great for apparel and quilting, but anything else is rather lack luster. They have your basic craft supplies but nothing unique or that you can’t find at Micheals (in fact if you need craft supplies go their instead). They tend to always be low or out of what I need when it comes to trims or beading supplies.
As for prices, they are the highest in town. I have a rule that I NEVER walk into that store without being armed to the teeth with coupons. However, they do like to put a lot of their popular fabrics slightly on sale (say 10% off) just so you can’t use your 40% off coupon. Very annoying! They do allow you to use multiple coupons and I advise to use that to your advantage whenever you shop here, otherwise you will be paying way too much.
Also word to the wise, you can’t return patterns even for store credit or exchange. Even if you just bought it a few minutes prior!
In short, shop here if you must. Use coupons always. Be mentally prepared for a shitty experience.

I like Jo-​Ann so much better now that they have reorganized their store. It used to be a nightmare navigating this place – trying to find somebody to cut your fabric, wondering which line to stand in – but now everything is very streamlined and better organized. With all of these improvements, along with their excellent sales and coupons, Jo-​Ann is becoming my go-​to crafting store in town.

Ya know I guess this store is ok, the people were nice and the prices were right.
But… I don’t know
Reno seens to have an over abundance of dollar stores along with discount grocery stores.
This store feels like one of these stores with the name of Jo-​Ann attached. It really needs to be spiffed up a bit.