I know what you mean about fabric shops. There are some good ones that do mail order, but nothing beats walking through the shop, picking out and feeling the fabric...
I have two choices in my area..Hancock & Joann's. I'm looking for material to sew a dress for my daughter for Christmas..neither one have anything appropriate. As for yarn shops it's not much better. My sister works for a yarn store in RI. I have to call her for yarn because of the poor selection here.