Can you believe it’s mid-July already? Wasn’t it just the Fourth? Now it’s time to get ready for Halloween. (I’m not kidding!)
It just does no good to grieve the passing of what we once valued, whether it’s a loved one, a loved retailer, a season, or just a change in life’s routine. I guess every passing constitutes a change in life’s routine. In the end, life isn’t about what we want. Sometimes we must just accept and move on, and that's the way we grow our characters.
I speak at this time about JoAnn Fabrics, the passing of which is the end of an era. My store was located next to Albertsons, so I could just pop in before I shopped for groceries. Honestly, I miss it.
Also passing at this time are the "Big Four" paper pattern companies -- Simplicity, McCall, Butterick, and Vogue, and they say this is related to the demise of JoAnn. My mother made most of my clothes as I grew up, and I loved watching for new styles and new patterns. It's hard to realize it was so long ago and that things could change so much. As an adult, I lost interest in sewing for myself, but I do love craft patterns -- dolls, doll clothes, stuffed animals, etc.
As if on cue with the passing of JoAnn, Hobby Lobby opened a store here in the former Penney’s location. It seems huge – a well-lit, inviting store with lots of junky bric-a-brac as well as housewares, hobby supplies, and home dec. On my first and only visit so far, all of the employees were outgoing and friendly. A saxophone rendition of the old hymn, “Trust and Obey,” played in the background.
I found just one aisle of yarn, all of it Hobby Lobby’s own brand, “Yarn Bee,” made in Turkey of American fibers. How does that work? I bought one skein to make a doll sweater. I’m on a fabric diet, so I didn’t enter the fabric department, but it doesn’t come near to replacing the volume of JoAnn’s stock, even at our small store. My shopping companion was happy to have found some acrylic paint in a color she wanted.
I predict that I won’t visit Hobby Lobby much. It just isn’t located on my regular route and – well, its offerings are way more diverse than JoAnn’s. The fabric / yarn inspiration isn’t there, and I don’t need the junk. But the community needs this shopping option, and I wish Hobby Lobby well. KW