Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts

As a chain, all Jo-​Anns are just okay. I’ve been to some where the staff is heinous. This location is actually better than others. The staff is usually polite and helpful as much as they can be. The prices aren’t great but the staff doesn’t set them. If I’m on a time crunch I’ll go to Jo-​Ann, but if not I’d just as soon order online.

New to Chico so no idea how store was. Went with a friend and looked at some regular yarn and found some great prices with a special of 20% off total purchase. Loads of crafts though that is not what I was there for.
Store was not busy so I was helped right away.
A good surprise after reading other reviews.

Lots of fabric, lots of crafts. Make sure you bring a coupon or else you’ll be leaving with a bad taste in your mouth. The employees are mostly helpful but having fabric cut by the «piece» is weird as all hell.

Service is never fantastic. Most of the time borders on just acceptable. Today I called to find out the width of a fabric so I could plan the amount I need before driving across town and having to do it at the store. The person answering the phone says «it should be about 45 inches. Wait, really it could be more like 42 or 43 inches». Doesnt he know that 3 inches can make a big difference when determining what amount is needed?!

While I haven’t had any straight-​up awful experiences here over the years, they have almost all been extremely lackluster. On some occasions the gals at the fabric counter have become animated and personable, but the overall impression I get of the store is that their employees are overworked, understaffed, and completely unengaged. In all the years I’ve been shopping there I have literally never once been offered assistance. It’s not so much that they seem rude, but that they’re a bunch of shambling corpses, dead on the inside and numb to their jobs. I can only speculate, but I have to consider this a management issue.
The store itself feels run down, messy, and outdated. If there were better selections for fabric in town I would have gone there instead, so it was really out of necessity that I continued frequenting JoAnn’s and not because it was a desired destination.
I would love to see this place get an overhaul. I feel like there is potential for this store, but its present condition is just woeful.

I just walked out of Jo-​Anns for the fourth time in so many weeks for the line at the cash register. I need to knock myself to NOT go there anymore unless I’ve prepped for the 20 minute line to check out. ARGH.

I went into this place for the first time to get some lace ribbon I needed for my wedding. I quickly learned getting a little piece of ribbon there would turn into an all day event. I would have just bought the whole spool of the 1 in thick lace ribbon just to get out of there but learned it would need to be measured either way. I got in line with 2 people in front of me and decided I would just get a simple 1 yard length of the little ribbon. The employee at the fabric cutting station came and went many times from the desk to help other people so I didn’t get up to the front of the 2 person line until almost a half hour later. Once I was at the front of the line, the employee decided to start calling out numbers instead of taking who was next. Since it was my first time there, I was unfamiliar with this number system (and she hadn’t called #‘s with the people in front of me). When she called number «71» about 8 crazy fabric ladies came out of the woodwork with fabric in their hand and I was pushed from the front of the line even though I had my little piece of ribbon already laid across the table ready to be snipped. I found out where the number machine was and took my number (80). When I saw how long it took number «71» to get her fabric cut, I decided to go put my ribbon back and just leave. I started to seem a little silly to wait an hour for what I needed. I think this company needs a new system for cutting ribbon for people.

Terrible management and staff who are completely annoyed with you for asking questions. I called over the phone to confirm that they had an item before making the fifteen minute drive in the 105 degree summer heat. I was informed over the telephone that they did, indeed, have grapevine garlands. I was clear that I was referring to the organic garlands that are often seen in the form of grapevine wreaths. They insisted they had them. I drive all the way there only to find that the only grapevine garlands they have are synthetic grapevine leaves on a plastic string. Manager wasn’t apologetic, acted like it wasn’t his problem, despite the fact that he didn’t listen to my questions, and was the one to answer the phone and provide incorrect information to a customer. I will never give Jo-Anne’s my service again.

I give this two stars because I’ve typically encountered (unlike others it would seem) friendly staff. If it wasn’t for that it would be one star. I find the prices of their fabric to be a bit extreme and the coupons don’t help much. The selection for jewelry making leaves much to be desired. Overall their crafting supplies is very weak unless you crochet/​knit or so. I guess that’s why we also have a Michaels. I only go to Jo-​Anns if I can’t find what I want at Michaels. I have noticed though that yes they are usually understaffed and whenever I need to ask a question I’ve not once been able to get help.

I gave 2 stars because Joann’s is one of the very few places in Chico where I can go to purchase fabric and notions. My first complaint is directed at the staff. During my last two visits (which were at least a month apart) I heard sales clerks in the fabric section of the store complaining openly about how understaffed the store is and how overworked they are. I rarely see staff members smile or act like they appreciate customers. My second complaint is in regard to a lack of cleanliness and organization in the fabric section of the store. I cannot believe that the custodial crew or other staff members are not required to dust around the file cabinets where the patterns are stored. There was dust and grime everywhere. I felt like washing my hands after opening the files and looking through the patterns. My third complaint is in regard to the fact that employees allow the fabric bolts to stack up for what appears to be hours before restocking the shelves. It’s too bad this place is such a mess. It makes me think that a lack of management may be to blame.

I started a Unilocal account just to review this place.
This used to be a wonderful place about 5 years ago, but now it is just aweful!!! I was in there last week to pick up some fabric to re-​upholster my couch and found a somewhat good deal. When my number was called to get the fabric cut, the lady asks very rudely «how many?». I thought she meant how many yards, so I said «4». She said «no» in a disgruntled voice and said «how many pieces». And so I said «Oh, I’m sorry I thought you were asking how many yards, and 1 piece please»
Never in my life have I been asked how many pieces! lol.
Oh well I will never be going back until I hear otherwise on here first.

I have had mixed experiences with Joanne’s. Sometimes the employees are very friendly and helpful. However, I too have experienced indifference and a lack of assistance and lack of knowledge with some other employees, with a dose of rudeness.

thanks joann’s for helping me get through sorority themed socials and making my littles basket! everything in stock. lots of parking. very organized and coupons accepted!

Ugh! This place desperately needs a management/​ownership overhaul. It is severely under-​staffed and the staff they do have are bitter and know nothing of their products or how to find them within their own store. Someone train these lame ducks! You’d think if you work in the same setting day in and day out you’d begin to learn your surroundings. Yet, every time I’ve come here the items I’m looking for are always «out of stock» (I bet they were never re-​ordered) and I get attitude from employees when I have a question.
I asked a clerk at the fabric counter if she could help me find decorative nails for upholstery. There was no one else in line and only 2 other customers in the store. She pointed and said, «Anything we have for upholstery is over there» pointing to a general area of the store and stayed put chatting away to another clerk. Hmmm… oooook?! So I was pretty much on my own. I come here several times a month for my DIY decorating projects. I wish there was a better place to go for these types of things in Chico. Alas, I am forced to surf the internet for my needs instead of depending on the incompetent staff and lack of product on the shelves at Jo-​Ann Fabrics.

Jo-Anne’s is like the DMV for fabric stores. I wish I did not have to give a star. I went there for a ¾ inch buckle and a small piece of webbing. I am not savy with these types of errands so I asked for help. I walked around for at least five minutes before I found someone working at the fabric counter. She told me to look in the aisle behind the sewing machines and pointed at the main part of the store. Not helpful. I walked around for another ten minutes and then chased down a clerk dashing to the front of the store. She took me to the aisle and pointed to the buckles. I asked her what would be appropriate for the swim vest needing repair. She said «I am not sure and we are really busy. I have to go the the register. Excuse me I need to get by.» I moved my sons stroller and she darted off in the other direction. Then I realized the webbing needed to be cut. Unsure of what to do I waited in line for a cashier to inform me that you take it to the fabric counter. Great. I got there to find out you have to take a number. There were six ladies in line and two behind the counter. One of the employees was complaining about not taking her lunch or getting a break and clocked out leaving the long line. I felt as if I were in the DMV with my number. Finally, I got the small piece of webbing I needed and headed to the front of the store. I checked out and got home where my mom informed me they sold me two pieces that did not match. I am calling this a Martha Stewart rendition of Mission Impossible. As for being wheelchair accesible there are double doors but I would suggest having someone with you as there absent minded employees would not notice you.