For generations of fabric shoppers in the Delaware Valley and Tri-State areas, the only place to go for fabric was the famous "Fabric Row" located on South Philly's 4th Street. At the time, those shops must have seemed like the only game in town when it came to fabrics. Fabric Row isn't quite what it used to be and it might take hours of searching through small fabric shops to find what you are looking for. Where can you go for a family business environment that is at the same time convient?
With J&O Fabrics you get an ideal combination of family business values and modern ideas. One of the ways this can be seen is at our online fabric store: www.jandofabrics.com. Behind all of the technology that goes into running the web site, however, is a staff with many years of experience that is capable of helping you with virtually any fabric project you have in mind.
The convenience of our web site can't be beat, but if you prefer to see the fabrics in person feel free to pop into our store in South Jersey. We are minutes from the major bridges such as the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Betsy Ross and Tacony-Palmyra. We are also only about 45 minutes from the Commodore Barry Bridge.
Once you find your way here you will find a larger selection of fabrics than we have even on our web site.
Wal-Mart has initiated what it is calling a national pilot project by closing the fabric centers in many of its stores across the country. Many of Wal-Mart's fabric-buying customers are upset at the decision; the convenience and prices that attracted them to Wal-Mart are now gone for the foreseeable future.
The impact on the retail fabric industry
Nevertheless, there are those that stand to benefit from Wal-Mart's decision. Industry analysts estimate that up to $540 million in annual sales could be channeled to other fabric retailers. A portion of the sales that were formerly Wal-Mart's could find their way back to smaller fabric stores and encourage their resurgence. Consumers may rediscover the unquantifiable benefits often found at smaller shops, such as higher levels of customer service and knowledge.
Furthermore, the void left in the fabric retail market by Wal-Mart's withdrawal is certain to be filled with innovative online fabric retailers. This possibility seems very likely as an ever-growing number of consumers discovers the convenience of shopping online. In addition to convenience, online shopping opens up a much more extensive fabric inventory for the perusal of quilters and sewing enthusiasts.
Customer response to our earlier Wal-Mart post
When we first heard that Wal-Mart could potentially be eliminating their fabric departments, late last year, we issued a post detailing some of the questions both we and our customers had. Since that time, Wal-Mart has initiated said pilot project much to the chagrin of many quilters and sewing enthusiasts. Here is what some of them said in response to our earlier post:
One anonymous customer "wrote": "Since they are the only fabric store in my area I AM OUTRAGED!!!! (emphasis theirs).
Another reader vented: "The manager of the Wylie, Texas Wal-Mart told me today they are definitely closing the fabric department and that most other Wal-Mart stores in the area are closing their fabric dep[artments] too.
In response to this development many customers have taken to writing letters of protest or initiating petition drives, while others have begun to look for alternative retailers.
What J&O Fabrics is doing
In light of Wal-Mart's growing withdrawal from retailing fabric, many consumers have been left to look for a new resource from which to purchase their fabrics. What all too many consumers don't realize is that the most convenient alternative for all types of fabrics is J&O Fabric's online fabric store: www.jandofabrics.com.
At J&O Fabrics, we hope to be able to help fill the void left by Wal-Mart's vanishing fabric departments. Far from being an ancillary concern of ours, fabric is our primary business and we continually strive to have the widest possible selection of designer and discount fabrics in a variety of styles available to our customers.
In a recent post we detailed some of the measures we are taking to enhance the shopping experience of our customers. Within the next few months you will discover at J&O Fabrics a completely new way to shop for fabrics online. The innovations we are in the process of implementing will put more fabrics before you than ever before.
Moreover, our selection of such essential items as trim, notions, quilted fabrics, feather boas, sewing accessories and so on is increasing as well, so that with one online stop you will be able to take your project from beginning to finish.
The advantages of shopping with J&O
What are the advantages of shopping with J&O now? Our company began operating over 40 years ago and has established itself as an important part of the surrounding community. Therefore, we strive to maintain the hallmarks of family businesses, namely customer service and an extensive knowledge of our products.
Furthermore, as mentioned above J&O is constantly investigating new ways to improve your online shopping experience and expand your fabric horizons.
At J&O Fabrics, we combine the family business's emphasis on the customer with a keen eye for online innovation. In this way, we bring the tradition of the local fabric store right to your computer screen.
J&O Fabrics has loads of NEW FABRICS coming in this Spring. Many are already here. Indulge yourself in all of our new designer fabrics in everything from lightweight cotton, to patent leather vinyl.
Starting April 11-15, receive 10% off anything on our website by simply typing in coupon code: EN4915 during checkout.
Did you know that J&O has recently added two entirely new Novelty/ Quilting sections? Our new Farm and Flames sections are chockful of Technicolor Roosters and Flaming Red Skull Fabric. Furthermore, make sure to check out all the new prints in our Music, Batik, Calico, Oriental andDoctor/Nurse Scrub Fabric sections. Psst. . . J&O is now in the process of adding matching coordinate fabrics to our entire Novelty/ Quilting section. Everything from matching dots and stripes to exact color matched lightweight solid broadcloths, will now be included below each novelty/quilting print. Isn't that exciting?
In addition to our popular lightweight cotton designer prints, J&O Fabrics has Two New Vinyl sections;Patent Leather and Clear Plastic Vinyl, including a variety of new additions in our Textured Vinyl section. _______________________________________________
You don't even have to be interested in Novelty/Quilting or Vinyl to save. We have lots more to choose from! Log onto our website atjofabrics.com
Upholstery Tapestry Decorative Flannel Prints Satin Drapery Fabric Fleece Fur Sheers Felt Denim Dress Goods And much more!
Place your order today! Type in coupon code: EN4915 to save 10% off your entire order now!
Will you be in the area? Don't forget to visit our store, J&O Fabrics in Pennsauken, New Jersey, right outside of Philadelphia. One of New Jersey's LARGEST selection of fabrics, at J&O Fabrics, we havesewmany possibilities.
J&O Fabric Center 9401 Rt. 130 South Pennsauken, NJ 08110 Where Rt. 130 Meets Rt. 73 info@jandofabrics.com 856-663-2121
The tip of an iceberg might only represent one ninth of its total mass, the rest being submerged. With J&O Fabrics, our fabulous online fabric store is similarly just the tip of the iceberg. Our store in Pennsauken, New Jersey has an even more extensive amount of fabrics than that which we carry online.
For a store that exclusively sells online it is easy to loose focus on the customer. However, at J&O Fabrics the customer is our primary concern. In fact, a considerable portion of our customers are simply walk-ins who want to browse and feel the fabrics for themselves.
Our longtime customers know - and our new customers soon find out - the benefits of being tended to in person by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. If you need help figuring out the yardage for drapes, valances, seat cushions or any other item, you can find a helping hand in our store.
We are conveniently located off less than 5 miles of off such major thoroughfares as the New Jersey Turnpike and I-295. Off of the N.J. Turnpike take Exit 4 towards onto Route 73 West towards Philadelphia. From I-295 North take Exit 36-A onto Route 73 West.
In about 30 minutes time or less (depending on traffic) we can be reached from Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Mt. Laurel, Berlin, Gloucester Township, Delran, Deptford, Voorhees, Camden, Burlington, Philadelphia (Philly) etc. In only about 45 minutes or less, you can also reach us from Hammonton, Ewing, Mount Holly, Trenton, Pitman and other points in Burlington, Camden, Cumberland and Pitman counties. In about an hour and fifteen minutes customers from Princeton, Atlantic City, New Brunswick, Lakewood, Toms River, etc.
Once you get here you will find an incredible range of fabrics of every type. We carry drapery, dress, upholstery, quilting, craft and novelty fabrics. Our huge stock includes some of the most prominent names in the fabric industry as we carry the wares of such companies as Michael Miller, Timeless Treasures, Alexander Henry, Peachtree, Covington, Waverly, P. Kaufmann, Robert Allen and Maharam. Here is a selection:
First Walmart starts phasing out their fabric departments. Now, Hancock fabrics said its six subsidiaries - including their website, HF Enterprises Inc and HF Merchandising filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday April 28th 2007. Hancock has defaulted on a $115 million credit line. The company has stated that they are going to close at a minimum of 100 of their 400 stores.
Today, it seems like fabric stores are a dying breed. Putting the kids into the car and going to the local fabric stores, is something of a quaint notion as today you can purchase anything pre-made from curtains to tablecloths. Is it the case that Americans are too busy to sit down with their sewing machine and create with their own hands. Is that the case?
We believe that there is a slight resurgence of sewers and crafters. HGTV and other design shows maintain interest in the fabric industry. These shows are not enough to support a fabric store in each community. Also, community and school sewing classes will help insure that sewing and other fabric arts do not fade into hobbies of the past. By stressing both fun and practical sides of sewing, both sewing classes and network design shows demonstrate that there are still plenty of uses for sewing abilities, abilities that almost anyone can develop. In reality, the only limits will be those imposed by your imagination. We still need sewing classes from grade school to high school. Sewing is not a hobby of the past but a ability that anyone can achieve. Sewing can help you make anything you want with any fabric you can find. One is not limited on what they can do or make.
Furthermore, because of the internet new fabric stores have emerged. The selection of fabric is bigger than the sewer of 30 years ago could have imagined. If you need a floral tapestry just go to a search engine and type in floral tapestry and there will be a vast selection of fabric stores and fabric patterns to choose from. If you need a dog fabric just go to Google and type in dog fabric and you will see 50 or more sites with all different kinds of dog fabrics to choose from.
Do the Hancock store closings and Walmart scaling down their fabric department affect you as a sewer, quilter, seamstress or designer? Will you even notice they are gone?
J & O Fabrics is a leader in online fabric stores with hundreds of discount fabrics including: upholstery, quilt, quilting, drapery fabric, fleece, decorator, felt, retro, upholstery fabrics and more!
Counterpoint Bark Cloth: Maize
Butterfly Collection Decorative
Cher Tropical Decorative Fabric: White
Verner Panton Geometri Fabric Lilac/Blue
