Hancock Fabrics

Never a dull moment. Back in Puerto Rico, I used to throw big costume parties for my friends at my house or people hired me to create some costumes and the decorations. One of things I had missed since I moved was precisely that certain creativity… as well as the lunacy. During the summer, a friend of mine decided he wanted to teach the Green-​Eyed Foodie and the Finicky Eater how to make Puerto Rican pasteles (The masa is a mush of grated green plantain, eddoe (yautía), green bananas, potato, and calabazas (typical pumpkin.) It is seasoned with liquid from the meat mixture of bits of adobo stewed pork, evaporated milk, and lots of freshly infused annatto oil. My Finicky hates them, but the mess and the time consuming process appealed to him. Three days prior I came to the conclusion that we needed to make a «Minga and Petraca» party. Everybody was to dress in that particularly folkloric way and peculiar fashionism. A trend started. Since then, we have lived through three themed parties and two more are on their way.
Where to find inspiration and materials to decorate an eighties party when Party City sells no motifs of any kind other than the fluorescent sticks and an inflatable, cheap looking radio? I found fabrics that were quite shocking at Hancock Fabrics. I needed to create pillow covers and pizzazz the birthday girl’s uneighties tutu and bustier. I also needed fabric to create a look for the cake table as well as buy cake-​decorating possibilities. There is a lot of parking space. No, the store is understaffed and staffed with, huhhhhh, very experienced in years women. Unless you already know them (I did not), they are not the friendliest people. Personally I thought that they could tell I cheat.
I don’t sew anything. I can have a movie, «The Girl with Pink Hot-​Glue Gun,» about my life. You would never know the amazing stuff I can create with those sticks. So I figured I was not part of that secret sorority of Singer. Thus the indifference towards me and my very bright fluorescent yards of mesh and tulle and rayon. The good thing is that the two times I dared enter into the Sacred Temple of Cloth; I never encountered any staff through the labyrinths of fabric rolls. I did not even have my glue gun to defend myself with.
I did not like other ribbons, «jewels,» and trinkets as much as I can lose myself in Michael’s. I am safe when I visit Hancock. I know it will take me a second to choose the fabric, twenty minutes to get it measured, cut and paid for. No ransom.

I hate myself every time I set foot in this store, but due to its proximity, I end up there a lot for quickie runs to get supplies for projects. The crew here is a mix of octogenarians and disgruntled middle-​aged women who seem to hate their lives and the only enjoyment they get is being rude to customers. They’re slow as turtles (angry, spiteful turtles) and it regularly takes 15 – 20 minutes to get your fabric cut after you’ve selected it and taken a place in the line at the cutting desk. The associates spend a significant amount of time socializing with one another very loudly. I estimate I’ve been there at least a dozen times in the past 3 years and there’s not one instance I can recall in which I felt like they were happy to have a customer, glad to help me, or interested in my satisfaction.
Here’s a quick example: Yesterday, I went to pick up some 24“x1″ poly-​fil foam to make two headboards. This item comes in 8 yards to a box. I took the box to the cutting counter where I informed the attendant I needed 6.5 yards. She made an absolutely ridiculous show of pulling the foam out of the box, reminding me several times that I was «killing her» (apparently by attempting to make a purchase that required her to, you know, do her job). When she finally got the entire length out, there was just over 6 yards. I reminded her I needed 6.5 yards and she said «ok, I’ll give you 6 yards here and cut a half a yard off another roll.» I explained that wouldn’t work because I needed three lengths the size of the headboards (78″, 78″ and 72″) and she threw her hands up in exasperation and tossed the foam onto the floor. Then, as if this wasn’t enough drama, she instructed me to go find another box with the full 8 yards and she would just cut 2 yards off. I said «but I need 6.5 yards.» to which she replied «fine! I’ll cut off 2.5 yards.» I politely explained that 8 minus 6.5 was 1.5 and she said «fine, 1.5 yards. Just go get the other box.» REALLY? There was no other box, so I got 2 of the 3 lengths I needed, but I was seriously considering leaving without buying any of it simply because I knew she would have to stuff it back into the box.
Prices are not great, but the location can’t be beat. For this reason and this reason alone, it will remain my quickie supply stop, but for bigger purchases, I will make the trip to another fabric store, such as JoAnn’s or buy online. If you do end up here, make sure you have time to spare, don’t expect anyone to help you out, and don’t hope for a smile.

Just what does an average guy have to say about a fabric store… I have never been to this one, but can find my way around. But somehow suspect I am not getting the best deals. Just visited recently and got what I needed on a slow morning, but it is not a quick process, especially if some customers are needing a lot of measurements and cuts. Even the staff complain of understaffing but I suspect b usiness volume just does not justify more.
Home repair and DIY places like Home Depot may still be growth businesses, fewer people have the time, skills or desire to sew themselves… and are not as good as semi-​slave labor off-​shore. So inevitably fabric places are likely to fade, unless they find a hot new side line like crack cocaine.

Very helpful staff and a pretty decent selection. The employees don’t always seem to be in the best moods but I have found the more I try to be chatty the friendly they can be. Remember to always look for a coupon on your phone before checking out!

Hancock is kind of a moment in time — the inside hasn’t changed in decades, even as they tarted up the facades about 6 years ago when GrillSmith moved in…
In the past I’ve bought some decent upholstery fabrics here for chairs I had recovered — and a casual gander revealed some decent choices still. The place was hopping when we popped in the other day, perhaps a reflection of the rainy weather.
The staff was moving pretty well and the customers seemed generally happy. Fabric stores always seem like a time warp to me…
I sat at the back table (comfy chairs for guys!) and played Angry Birds whilst my shopping companion did her thing.

I got there just before they opened on a Saturday morning, and had to be somewhere in half an hour. I was just trying to fix a tear in the backseat hammock that keeps my dog from falling on the floor when I hit the brakes, and I’ll admit they might have been a little standoffish at first.
But once they realized that I really wasn’t sure how to fix it, one of them actually left and went outside to the car with me and checked it out. Then she was able to make a knowledgeable recommendation and pick out the right fabrics and bonding material and thread for me. That’s unusually good customer service in today’s world, and I was also able to fix it for about $ 7 instead of buying a new one.

Not the friendliest crew I’ve met in my lifetime. I have been there a few times. The first time, I was like «oh maybe they’re just having a bad day» but, after the next couple of times, I couldn’t agree with the 1^st reviewer more — «staff is made of suck». These people just hate life! The thing that most annoyed me, there was this little group of cute gay boys fluttering around the store and a couple of the staff members were outright discriminative! But those cuties made it LOUD & clear that they weren’t havin’ it — mm mm gurl (finger waggin’)! Gotta luv ‘em!
Anyhoo, the fabric selection is ok, prices are ok, so my review is meh, ok. I only go because it’s the cheapest place nearby. Sorry Hancock, you gotta get those haters outta there!

Yet another chain store that’s not worth anyone’s time. Ok selection but the staff is made of suck. The woman at the cutting table just sat there and had no personality. She didn’t smile, she didn’t say hi, she didn’t even ask what I wanted. The woman who checked me out took f-​o-​r-​e-​v-​e-​r. Ughhhh. That’ll teach me to stray from places I like.