Faribault Woolen Mill

Went to the Fairbault ‘outlet’ expecting some discounted blankets, or at least a pillow– something, anything! WRONG. Unless you are ready to spend $ 190+ on a blanket (and they are beautiful, I will give you that!)… don’t make the special trip to this place. It’s a RIP OFF.

BUYER BEWARE! Make sure you purchase exactly what you want, because unless your item is from their «first quality» line of products, you cannot exchange it for a better fit. Not even if you are willing to pay more money to get just the right thing.
When I complained that I was not advised of this policy when I made my purchase, nor is it posted anywhere, the cashier moved some knick knacks that obstructed the fine print on one of their signs. Joke’s on me, I guess. My request for them to call the manager was flatly refused, even though it was during business hours. Their suggestion; email the manager, and I should get a response later in the week. Purportedly so that I could make the drive to Faribault again…
In 30+ years of shopping, I’ve never felt more swindled, compelling me to download Unilocal and warn the world. Hopefully.
Good luck.

Last weekend I joined the Cult of Wool Sales and I am not sorry. $ 15 throws? $ 30 blankets? Thanks FWM! We also stopped by the store which is often open and OMG if I’m now craving the designs and sizes that probably never make it next door to the sales. I bought 11 Christmas presents and several blankets for my own home for about $ 300. I need to wrap and send them out ASAP before I put them all on my bed and climb in and won’t come back out until spring. Or another sale.

Full disclosure, I went here for the Anniversary Sale this past weekend (which is a great decision, seriously, do it next year), so my experience is pretty unique to that. We got there about 10 minutes before the sale opened and everyone was standing in a calm, orderly line waiting for the sale to open. There were two main sections: seconds along the outer wall and the discounts in the middle. The baby blankets were a great deal for gifts: $ 25 for the softest things I have ever felt. $ 20 for second scarves that I could not find a flaw with when I was looking, and blankets that the hem were off a bit, but dang, they are pretty and warm. I am looking forward to going back next year!

Quality woolen blankets and other goods. Top notch customer service. Made in the USA! Also a great section of discounted blankets due to minor mistakes in crafting. Be prepared to spend some money– and know that the quality is worth it!!!

This review is for a visit near the end of September 2014 when they had a tent sale occuring, which if I understand correctly, is only the second time they have done this but will plan to do it again next September 2015, and each subsequent September going forward.
The Faribult Woolen Mill has a rich history and today is the only wool mill left in the United States that takes raw wool and produces a finished retail product. I am a big advocate of buying high quality products that are «Made in the USA», so I was hooked before I even arrived. The Faribault Mill did not disappoint… they had boxes upon boxes of wool blankets, scarves, throws, shaws, etc. all marked down something like 40%-80%. Some products were seconds, but most were not, though seconds were all marked down the most at 80% and you rarely could see the imperfection. (some of these blankets normally retail for as much as $ 325, so you can see where the sale really impacts how many you can buy).
We actually arrived about 4 hours before the FINAL hour of the sale and yet they still had LOTS of products remaining such that we were able to get all our Christmas shopping done for our entire extended family before we left, and bought and equal number of items for ourselves. And what a deal! We didn’t buy any seconds, and compared with the prices for the equivalent product online, we saved a total of about 65%.
Ever since that dayy in Septmeber, we have been using our blankets and throws in our home and they are both very attractive and vevry functional. We love them. And the quallity is of a level where with limited care, they willl still be as vibrant and functional 50+ years from now. This is almost a shame because now I don’t actually NEED another wool blanket but I garauntee I will be at the sale next year buying another 4 or 5, though this time with a little more guilt. I guess I can say I’m investing in my children’s inheritance, and heck, with prices this good, how can you pass it up?
(FYI: they DO take credit cards at the tent sale and this sale is popular with the locals, so I’d advise getting there as early on the first day that you can if you want a shot at the most premium items and/​or the most marked down. The afternoon of the second day is very busy, but you can look around a little more leisurely without what I suspect is otherwise chaos reminiscent of Black Friday from year’s past where people are pushing and shoving and buying everything they can put their hands on — that latter part is pure speculation, but I could easily see how it would happen.)

Gah, this place is so dreamy. My friends and I were recently having a conversation about how it makes much more sense to buy quality goods that will last a long time than buying cheap stuff that falls apart. The Faribault Woolen Mill is a perfect example of this; American-​sourced, American-​made products that contribute to our economy and last forever. The staff was so helpful– I found a factory second that I wanted and, without my prompting, she went upstairs to see if there was a less-​flawed version, which there was. I am so happy it has stayed in business for the last 150 years!

Its a bit expensive but if you find a good deal its well worth it for a Wool Blanket or similar sized item. This is the type of place where you drop big money on time tested woolen items and come out happy (but albeit with a much lighter wallet).
Long running tradition since 1865, located little ol’ Faribault, Minnesota.