The fabric shop nearest me 20 minutes away is in a not so nice neighborhood..high crime. The other is even further away in a nice neighborhood but I don't want to have to drive 30 minutes or more to buy a spool of quilting thread or a half a yard of fabric for binding. I go to Hobby Lobby the fartherest away shop only when they have batting half price....3-4 times a year.
I was also told this by a Walmart craft section employee. Frustrating and silly, as sewing is apparently the new, hot hobby for younger women. There is a chain fabric store near us but it is located in a run-down strip mall. The last time we shopped there I said no more, not worth our lives.