My favorite fabric store closed this past week in Louisville. There was nothing like shopping at Baer Fabrics. After 103 years, the business closed. The building will be torn down to make room for the new bridge, if my sources are correct.
So, now I am in search for another fabric store that is within a decent driving distance for me to indulge my creative appetite. I want quality fabrics and I love unique buttons. Does anyone know the Nashville or Knoxville areas? Is there anything in Cinncinnati? I’ve been in the Hancock and Jo Ann stores and some things are okay in their stores, but not for everything. When I want a good quality garment that will last, I want to shop in places where I can touch the fabric and see what I’m purchasing.
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I am shocked! They had great mail order service and I've made referrals to them in the past. Do you know what happened to all their inventory?
According to the newspaper (Louisville), the owner was told he could not tell his employees until the day before the final day that the bank was calling in the loan and he was closing the store. They held a huge sale that final week. The closing day, the 19th of July was a big day. Over 1000 people came to the store to purchase goods for the final time. Anything left over, the bank planned to auction. The owner would sell the building. The new bridge that is planned will be going through that building so it will be torn down.
I hope that what stores we have here will realize that people want more than just quilting fabrics. Since I live in Paducah, that is all I can really find. I have traveled to Louisville for years and now I don't have that store. So, if you find a treasure, let me know. I can go to OH, ILL, TN, IN, or MO. Some places take some planning to get there if its a days drive, but I find long week-ends useful for that. I have friends that will go along with me.
Maybe local sewing groups could put pressure on Joanns and Hancocks to buy the leftover inventory at the auction, or go to the auction themselves. Is there another dry goods store in the area that could buy out the inventory at auction?
I don't think so. I was just so heartbroken when I learned they were closing. I had hoped that they would be moving. Maybe the owner and his wife will start over under a new name.
I too am shocked that Baer's is now part of our past. This business of selling fabric is really taking it's toll and I'm afraid it will not get better for us here in America until the price of clothing goes up again. There just aren't enough of us out here sewing our own clothes to keep these stores in business. My favorite on line site: Timmel's Fabrics in Nova Scotia, Canada just closed. It was strictly an on line business but the owner closed a few years earlier than planned (retiring) because the profits were just not there to make it worthwhile. There doesn't seem to be anyone willing to buy these stores and continue with the selling of fabric. My daughter who lives in the Chicago area has mentioned a few fabric store closings on her blog http://sewingforlife.wordpress.com/ When one of them is Hancock's that is disturbing. I was looking forward to visiting that Finn's again!
Depending on the fabric you are looking for, in Cincinnati there are:
Banasch on Madison Road (Norwood/Hyde Park) - Better Fashion fabrics.
Calico Corners on Kenwood Road (Kenwood) - Home Dec.
St Theresa Textile Trove on Hamilton Avenue (College Hill) - Cottons and lots of goodies.
The areas indicated are located in the suburbs and not in the downtown area of Cincinnati.
In addition, there are several JoAnn and Hancock Fabric stores throughout the suburbs.
You can find addresses and phone numbers under "fabric" "Cincinnati OH" at Switchboard.com.
Edited 8/2/2008 12:18 pm ET by spicegirl1
I checked out some of the fabric stores last night that have web sites for the Cinncinnati area. I found some that are interesting and would love to make a trip. Thank-you for the information.
I did not list all that have sites as I believe some of the locations may be a little dicey, at least for my comfort level.
I could see that. There is one that I would love to go to just to see if I could find some things for my daughter's dance. I'll have to make some plans to see my nephew, then drive on into Cinncinnati for the day. His daughter and wife would probably go with me and they would know the area better than I would.
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