Fabric Stores Say Closeness Will Be A Plus

To many, it might seem odd for a fabric store to move into a strip mall that’s already home to one. But managers of the Valley’s Northwest Fabrics & Crafts and Jo-Ann Fabrics, they say the situation is ideal.

“They shop us both anyway,” says Northwest Fabrics manager Kathy Ball. “It’s going to make it more convenient for the customers and it’s going to be a win-win situation.”

Sue Thompson, manager of Jo-Ann Fabrics, said while the two store will definitely remain competitive, the move does nothing but help both stores.

Northwest Fabrics, currently at 9616 E. Sprague, will move April 1 into the Opportunity Center at the corner of Pines and Sprague.

Jo-Ann Fabrics has been in Opportunity Center since 1992.

The new Northwest Fabrics store will be 15,500 square feet - about the same size as its current location, said Ball. All 23 employees from the current location will be transferred to the new store. Ball said she expects to add 10 to 15 employees during the fall and winter when the store is the busiest.

The move comes, in part, because Northwest’s current location is on two levels with the upper level only accessible by stairs.

“A lot of our crafts are upstairs and many are done with mothers with small children, older people, people in wheelchairs,” said Ball, adding that she wanted all areas of the store to be available to all customers.

, DataTimes