Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts

I really, really like Jo-​Anns. I like it far better than Michaels, which has higher prices and not as good of a selection in my opinion (plus no fabric!).
I will typically go to Jo-​Anns even though its slightly out of my way because I like that they have sales constantly (honestly, there has rarely been a time where I do not use coupons for discounts on my purchases) and because they carry fabric and fabric supplies. Since I sew (and also make jewelery, do knitting and embroidery) it makes no sense for me to have to go to Michaels, then go out of my way to Jo-Ann’s if I need fabric or shears or whatever. Here I can get everything I need all at once. This is also the only solitary crafting store in Simi Valley… which sucks.
The lighting could be better, I will agree with the other reviewers. So could the torn up floor spaces. The employees could also clean and organize a bit better. I went in this past weekend for the last two skeins of a specific yarn that the Jo-​Ann website stated this location had. I got in and had to dig and look for 15 minutes before I found the yarn, in a completely different section than it was supposed to be in. I had nearly given up and thought that they were just out of it and that the website was wrong, nope-​no one had bothered to put it back in it’s specific drawer. See, this is what I’m talking about. Also… can we talk about the falling shelves? No? I have had the experience of having shelves fall down when I take items off of them or touch them. There aren’t enough employees for such a huge store, and so sometimes I feel like I’m on a sinking ship when I come in here. Running around trying to catch whoever I can to give me a life vest.
Other reviewers have mentioned the silence. Looking back on my shopping experiences at Jo-Ann’s, this does stand out to me. There isn’t any music! Maybe that’s why I always feel strange walking in or a little uncomfortable. Music helps. People like to sing and hear songs on the radio.
Either way, I love the coupons and I usually spend way too much time buying far too many things I either don’t need (but will use eventually) or looking and lusting over things I don’t need and will never use.
Some of the employees are great (when I can catch them). There is a red-​haired girl who works at the fabric counter who is super nice and very helpful. Poor thing is usually overwhelmed with people though, so approach the fabric cutting counter at your own risk. Jo-​Ann Fabric and Craft could step up their game a bit. Actually they could step up their game a lot.

I absolutely love Jo-​Anns. There’s so much stuff here that you could easily walk around for an hour and probably rack up quite a bill… so many things to see. An extensive collection of art supplies for any category or moment. There are things here that I had no idea even existed and have no clue how to use… but i really wish I did. Oh my goodness i really want to make my own stickers! :(How do I do this? What do I even use? There’s so much here that I got confused and left after only grabbing a few cute Washi tapes. :) I will be back though. I want to make stuff.
I love craft stores but unfortunately, this one just feels a bit too dead… practically silent… and I have to whisper just so I don’t sound like a weirdo coming off as too loud when really, im talking at a normal person’s regular voice level. It’s THAT quiet in there. I can hear myself breathing. There are only a few employees there and it’s kind of hard to communicate with them. but they are helpful.
Maybe some more music could help with the awkward silence in the massive store?

I’d rather buy craft supplies from the back of a van with blacked out windows under a freeway overpass near skid row. The lighting would be better, the sales person would be more helpful and the area would be cleaner.

This store is dingy, hot and always looks to be in a state of disarray. No matter what time of year the seasonal area in front is in the process of being put together or taken down. It’s never completed.
The employees appear bored and unhelpful. And don’t seem to be empowered to make decisions. Today it was a customer who was trying to purchase something at regular price and use her coupon. But the item was in the system at the wrong price which the employees admitted, but they told the lady that they could not correct the price to what it should be and let her use her coupon. There was nothing that could be done they said, so «what do you want to do, use the coupon on the mismarked item, or we can change the price and you can’t use the coupon?»
Several of us who were waiting took in this «customer service». More than 1 customer lost today. Good job Joann!
I will gladly make the trip to Michaels in Moorpark rather then step foot in this store again

The only reason why I am rating this Joann’s a 5 star is because of Brandon who works there. For some reason everytime I go there he is the ONLY employee who is extremely sweet but he is also very helpful. He goes out of his way to satisfy customers. Again this is the only reason why I am rating this Joann a five star. Great job Brandon and I will be back to this location because of you.

WHAT UP WITH THIS STORE! This store is in need of a makeover if they want to up their sales. When you first walk in you feel like backing right out. Kinda depressing and uninspiring. Very dim lighting and uninspiring like this store is going out of business. The unfriendly and unprofessional employees seem to be depressed as well. I prefer to shop at the Thousand Oaks location even if it’s further away. It has a much nicer layout, better lighting and easier to find things. I was actually approached three times and asked if I needed any help… WOW!
I know the stores are going to be different depending on the location. So for now I’ll stay away from the Simi store…

The day before Mothers Day and they have ONE checker. She’s called for backup more than once, and nothing. Whoever the manager is at this store, they MIGHT want to get it together. Unsatisfactory.

I’m not a huge fan of this JoAnn’s which sucks because it’s the closest one to where I live. It looks run down and old, they don’t carry many scrapping booking materials such as stickers and the staff isn’t very friendly. The only reason I gave it a 2-​star is because they have a decent selection of fabrics.

This store is a hot mess. I love craft stores, and I know they’re all a bit chaotic, but here’s why this location doesn’t cut it.
1) it’s usually dark. I feel like most other Joan’s have great lighting
2) it feels dirty. Right when you walk in you want to walk out. It feels cramped and old and there’s nothing «inspiring» about it. I feel like when you walk into most other Joanns you instantly want to craft your heart out. This Joanns make me question why I have Pinterest boards.
3) are there even employees here?! There is never anyone on the floor to help you find things. And the checkout lines, forget it. Takes longer to checkout than your shopping trip did. Zero stars customer service.
But– there is a JoAnn’s. Even though I dread going. There is a craft store located less than a mile away from my home. Sigh.

this place is just god awful. i use to love it, that was before they re-​did the place and took out basically everything i used from there, they never have enough stuff in stock, there is never enough people working, the lines at the register get RIDICUOUS. not to mention the prices. EVERYTHING is way over priced. i dont even both with this place anymore, i just drive out to michaels in moorpark, way better staff and prices. not to mention WAY more stuff to chose from.

Can’t rate this store low enough! The place is flithy dirty and employees are rude and even though you «reorganized» the store it is still a complete disaster! I contacted the corporate office and was passed on to some «regional» person who was so excited to tell me that they were re-​organizing the store and that is would be better soon… well no go! I will go anyplace other than joann’s…

Just went to this store for the third time to get black anti pill fleece, which they apparently have none of. I searched their store, which has no rhyme or reason as to how they organize it and didnt find any. I waited in line to ask the person at the fabric counter if they had any and if they could help me find some. Her response to me was to look to find it. When I tod her i already had she said then we dont have any. I explained to her this is my third time trying to get this fabric she told me to go to thousand oaks or northridge and I told her I didnt want to drive out there and would rather for it to come in to the simi location and be called when it came in, to which she argued with me to call every monday until it does… finally she told me I could call and have the other locations send it in. I said I will wait until Monday to hear from them.
Overall poor customer service, the store is a complete mess. Im not sure that I will be coming back to this location…

The staff is nice and always can help me find something if they have it but the store looks like it should be in South Central rather than a suburb. It has been missing flooring and has had horrible 70s lighting for a year or so. It used to have the radio on which was fun but evidently some jerk from 101.1 complained saying that they couldn’t play the station so it was shut off. Theoretically the store is going to be upgraded and the flooring replaced etc. but they never seem to actually do it and just move the shelving units around on the floor. The cell phone signal is also at 0 – 2 bars in the store. If it was actually upgraded I’d like it since the staff is nice and friendly and they are organized despite the ugly half torn up store but gets a shopping experience F right now in my book.

I shop here for all my craft needs for two reasons: 1. It’s the only craft store in Simi and 2. I like the selection. Yes, I do realize that when I become better at sewing, the selection of fabric isn’t going to cut it. But so far, I have been always able to find what I’m looking for, plus more. The cashiers always seem friendly. I never had any bad experiences with them.

I love going to Jo-​Ann fabrics but this one was horrible! The store was a mess. Shelves were falling down with product filling on the floor. My cashier Bryan was not friendly and I do not appreciate him texting while I am checking out!

Want to give a shout out to Brandon who was very helpful to me when I was trying to cash out. I was having problems getting my coupons on my cellphone and he helped me to get them and also to find some other ones to use for my purchase. Plus he always has a smile on his face.

First time I went here there really wasn’t anyone on the floor to answer any questions and the staff behind the fabric counter were totally unfriendly. I’m not a demanding customer at all, but I simply needed to know where the machine embroidery thread was and I practically had to force my question onto the «way too busy to help me» lady cutting fabric. She didn’t know what embroidery thread is because she directed me to the wrong section. I woulda appreciated an honest answer rather than bullshit, its not like I ain’t gonna figure it out eventually.
On another occassion I needed some fabric cut and just as I walked towards the counter the lady magically disappeared. I waited around like 5 minutes and felt like an idiot. Nobody on the floor at all, so I went straight to the counter. The strung out trailer trash lookin lady behind the counter had an attitude and was like «you need to go to the fabric counter» as if I was a complete newbie to the situation. I informed her I was there for 5 minutes and nobody was there. She changed her tune a little and said «oh she’s over there now» (didn’t hear any apology btw). So I go back over there and guess what? Nobody there! Trailer trash lady comes scampering up from behind the counter to help me. I’m a little confused but just happy to get my stuff cut so I can pay.
I go here because it is conveniently located, but not once has anyone been friendly or asked if I need any help until I got to the counter, which makes no sense because at that point you’ve already waited in line. Its kinda like asking someone if they want bread after they ate their soup already. Ok that’s a bit mellow dramatic, but really they just suck here and I don’t mean to take cheap shots at the way they look, but when you get shitty service and the staff is ugly on top of it its hard not to feel like you are the star in some hidden camera tv show where I’m being made the ass. The only reason it gets any stars is because I know what I want and they do happen to have it so now that I know where shit is I can ignore the completely unhelpful staff and get in and out quick, which I’m sure is how they prefer it anyway.

I shop here. But not because I want to. Sometimes they are just the only place that will have «it.» But if I have the time I will drive out to JoAnns in Porter Ranch instead. Way better organization, way more stuff and just altogether better experience.
Sorry Simi, I still love you but you will still have to work for my love.

I look for coupons in both my Sunday newspapers. The Los Angeles Times, and the Simi Valley Starr. Most of the time I never find a coupon for Jo-​ann Fabrics&Crafts. I went on line and was asked to sign up to get cupons from Jo Ann. i did sign up but after putting in all my information I was told they had to text me a pin number for which I had to text them back. I don’t do texing. I think they have a very poor way of distributing their coupons. I would rather find a place to shop where at least if they know the coupons don’t get in every paper, they can supply you with one in the store. I called the store regarding this matter, their reply was they are aware that every paper does not get a coupon. They did not offer to give me one in the store.