Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft

In all Earthly pleasures, some things aren’t quite as cathartic as walking around a Jo-​Ann Fabrics and Crafts! This store, on par with most, is an extravaganza of the senses! From chiffon by the bolt to potpourri fragrance packets, JoAnn’s stock assails! Vivid colors and ultra lux textures are status quo, and any project (even the craftiest!) can benefit from a trip!
While the Champaign location is a behemoth in size, assistance from its impeccable staff makes shopping slightly less of a chore. The only downside, I’ve found, is that sometimes the overhead lighting can irritate (think grade school buzzing fluorescent bulbs), and depending upon the season, the store can be a bit messy (with dust, melted snow muck, crushed leaves, etc.). These are small inconveniences, in the grand scheme, and never detract from the store’s overall usefulness!

Store is not at address on Neil street. It is near hhgregg on prospect. Someone should update the address/​location.

I tried to find Jo-​Ann Fabrics based on the Unilocal address, but they haven’t been on Neil Street for 2 years now. way to go, Unilocal

Great store for arts and crafts supplies, very helpful staff. While looking for things around the store, the staff helped me find exactly where to go. I was purchasing some arts & crafts materials and the friendly staff helped me scan a bunch of coupons for my purchase I did not know existed! Saved me a bunch of money!

I have only been here a couple of times. My last visit was for some material for a table cloth. I don’t know my way around a fabric store and the staff here were very helpful. I knew what I wanted when I went in and they pointed me in the right direction. The person cutting the fabric was very nice and the check out was fast. I was in and out in less than 10 minutes.

Of all of the hobby/​craft stores you can go to in the Champaign area, I am not a fan of Jo-​Ann Fabrics & Crafts. The store is too small: their cross-​stitch/​needle-​point section is especially lacking in comparison to their general selection that is also lacking.
I guess it’s hard to compete given the nearby Hobby Lobby (that has quilting fabric), Michael’s (great crafts in general, especially if you’re into jewelry), and WalMart’s small selection of fabrics, knitting supplies and crafts.
At least Jo-Ann’s matches competitor coupons.

It depends who is working if you get a person who is nice. They are rude on the phone and sometimes rude in the store. I hate going to this store.

I love this store, this was my first time there on a Sunday.
Happy that they are open on a Sunday.
I like to knit so I got me some yarn and knitting needles for some really good price.
They got a big variety on yarn and Fabric and everything you need for it.
The service was very friendly and quick and so was the check out .
Also bought some fabric for a very good price.
I know I will visit more often.

Sadly. I’ve tried so many times to find decent fabrics here but they are all just awful! Everything just looks really dated unless you’re trying to find some upholstery then you might have luck. I will say that for the basics, it’ll do just fine.
Also, the service is always lacked. Like Rachel said, I feel like everyone there is working hard but the line gets pretty lengthy and the store doesn’t even that busy. It’s strange.

Pros: the selections are pretty good, the prices are reasonable and there are many, many sales.
Cons: completely underemployed. Usually have to stand in a long line to get your fabric cut and then another long line to pay for everything. On the Labor Day sale weekend, there were only 2 employees there the day I went. And about 30 plus customers. These poor girls were running back and forth from cutting fabric to the cash register. I asked one of them when the last time she had a break and she told me «hours ago. I haven’t even been able to get a drink in the last few hours.» This strikes me as pretty inhumane. Not only do they probably pay these workers minimum wage, but they are so overworked and understaffed that they can’t even get a break to take a drink of water or go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, I have noticed this problem with major underemployment at several other JoAnns fabric stores, too. And they were various places all over the country. Not fair to the employees, and also not fair to the customers. It’s a bad deal.