Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts

This was the smallest Jo-​Anns I’ve ever been to. The rating is solely based on the lack of variety and stock that the place has. If you’re looking for something very common, then you could probably find it here. But if you’re looking for something a little more specific than I suggest you go else where. The staff is friendly enough but no matter how friendly the staff, if they don’t have what you want, it’s difficult to give a 5 star review based on customer service alone. Especially if all they can say is «sorry we don’t carry it».

The ladies that work in this store are always friendly and helpful. A bright smile and «hello» greets you at the door. If you have questions they offer help or point you in the right direction with advice and well wishes. I love shopping here.

This is most definitely a neighborhood store. It is not one of the super gigantic stores that has more than anyone could ever want. I like this store better. The staff are all super nice and helpful. The selection is good, I always find whatever I go into get. The prices are reasonable and you can great deals on holiday merchandise. I rarely pay full price for anything. If you are a couponer than they always have something going on for you too. The parking lot is super big so that is never an issue. Go forth and craft!

Jo-​Ann Fabrics isn’t a bad store… But this particular one is AWFUL. It’s dirty and small, definitely smells like a hospital. The people working there are bitter, probably because they work there. I dare you to go to the one in Eastport Plaza, and then go to that one and see if you enjoy it at all.
They were out of stock on a color of fabric paint I needed, so I went to this Jo-​Ann at the Milwaukie Marketplace. They didn’t have my paint color either, so I went to look at beading materials. They were having a great sale on beads/​charms, and I had grabbed a handful. I was going to pick out a few more since the price was good, but then I heard an employee speaking to a customer as if he were an idiot.
The store was dead quiet because it’s not like many people shop in that rust bucket. I clearly heard the man say, «I need one that’ll stick on by itself. Is this one sticky?»
And in the rudest, most condescending voice, I heard her reply, «Well, I don’t know. Does it SAY it’s sticky? Look, does that right there say it’s sticky?» She read the label and kept with the tone, «Nope. Not sticky.»
Are you freakin’ kidding me?! I had to throw all my stuff down, go around the corner to look at this woman. She looked like a 40-​year-​old chain smoker that’s probably pissed she didn’t get her welfare check yet, so she has to be there working. And this old guy just looked like he was running into the fabric store as a favor, not like he really wanted to be belittled because he doesn’t know what he’s looking for. Not everyone knows exactly what they’re looking for when they walk into a freakin’ craft store, lady. I know when I go into one, I ask plenty of questions when I’m starting a new project (like, if a paint has different qualities like more vibrant colors or staying power or whatever I feel like asking).
Maybe she just didn’t want to help him… But honestly, this lady should be taught that other people will be put off by her, even if she was only directly rude to that man. Most crafts? Just crafts. Hobbies. And there are tons of locations or even other crafts stores that carry the exact same things, or even more, than Jo-​Ann Fabrics. I wouldn’t waste my time on the one in Milwaukie Marketplace unless you like feeling dirty just breathing and/​or enjoy being belittled.

Oh good lord, this place is a black hole. I’ve spent so much money in here over the last few years. They have a good selection of crafts and fabrics (not the best, but solid) and they always have good sales AND coupons.
I pretty much never pay full price for anything in here, so I always end up over spending because I’m getting such a good deal… I may or may not have a problem… don’t judge me!
I love this store. I love the way it smells, I love how when I walk in the girls always cheerfully greet me and flirt with my little boy, I love that I just feel inspired with the NEED to make something every time I go in. And I love that it’s like three blocks from my home and next to the grocery store I end up at most often… so I see it over there in the parking lot beckoning me to come in and ‘just look around… you don’t have to buy anything, just have a look-​see’ Yeah right. This store is my Venus fly trap. I fall for it almost every time. Sucker.

A lot smaller than the mega store at Eastport Plaza, but when I’m in Milwaukie I stop in. There’s something charming about the smaller, slightly dingy but mostly just older location. Not a bad selection for the size of store.
All the ladies working there are always friendly and helpful.

This is a pretty tiny Jo-​Ann Fabrics, but it is right on my way home from work, so I can’t knock it.
They still have a really good selection of fabrics and sewing notions, but if you are looking for a wide array of other crafting materials it can be a little touch and go. They generally have a seasonal area up towards the front, and while they DO carry other craft supplies, they won’t necessarily have multiple brands, or the same variety as larger stores.