Fine Fabrics — Local services in Riverdale

I wasn’t going to write a review because I was so torn between the great location, good prices and good customer service versus the new purse policy.

The first time I went in, I was allowed to bring my purse in. I had a lovely experience and I began telling everyone about the store.

The second time I went in, I was told to leave my purse in my car or put it in one of their lockers. As a victim of ID theft in the past, I was immediately uncomfortable with both options. One of the biggest flaws with the locker option is that, once you put your purse in the locker, THEY KEEP THE KEY. I couldn’t shop comfortably knowing the staff had the ability to go into the locker as soon as I was out of sight. The store is beautifully huge. I ran through that place so fast that I was short of breath. I bought much less than I had planned, which was disappointing because I do not live in that area.

I am writing only because I have looked at other reviews. The owner's response that “Just like a lot of places, we are adopting a baggage policy to minimize our losses. We are in the process of getting a locker so that all of our shoppers can safely store valuables while shopping in the store” is fatally flawed if the policy is not being used in all of THEIR locations. I am not sure if the purse policy is used in all their locations, but the other reviews imply it is not.

It is a great location. The prices are good. The customer service is good….until they state the purse policy, which can be insulting when customers feel profiled or targeted. The other reviews suggest customers feel profiled. If the purse policy is not used throughout your facilities, its use at this one location becomes problematic. Also, give the key to the customer if the locker is used. Why have the locker if you are going to keep the key? It is essentially no different from taking the purse and putting it behind the counter. Staff still have full access to it.

I hope the issue can be properly addressed. It clearly was a big investment on the part of the owners. It is a nice store. The selection is huge. However, the last time I needed fabric and supplies, I did not go back because I was not willing to deal with the current purse policy and process. The execution of the purse policy is very flawed, even when you say “I’m sorry” while...

A few years ago, a friend tipped me off to this fabric store, and let me tell you — walking in felt like stepping into a fabric wonderland. Buttons, zippers, thread, satin, silk, polyester, embroidered pieces, upholstery fabric, African prints — you name it, they’ve probably got it. And the place is huge — think a couple of football fields stacked with every textile under the sun. There’s even a whimsical section full of beaded knickknacks, fabric edgings, and commercial sewing machines (you know, just in case you suddenly decide to launch your own fashion empire). At the counter, they tempt you with beaded belts and buckles. One small critique: if you’re on the hunt for cotton gauze or natural fabrics, the pickings are a little slim. Also, fair warning — there’s a strict “no big handbags or backpacks” policy, presumably because getting lost in a sea of fabric is already risky enough without swinging luggage. The sheer amount of inventory is overwhelming — in a good way — but if you’re indecisive, prepare for a workout. Definitely grab a cart, because once you spot a fabric you like, you have to haul the roll to the center for a staff member to cut it. (Pro tip: some of those rolls are heavy, be careful) Service is fair; the staff knows their stuff and can usually point you in the right direction. Prices are reasonable, and there’s a treasure trove of remnants near the front if you’re looking for deals. Bottom line: This is a store you honestly have to see to believe. Come for the fabric, stay for...

The two old ladies at the front checkout were extremely disrespectful. Especially the one with the purple eyeshadow that claims to be the manager all because I asked for my tax exempt and normally get a discount for purchasing over 30 yards of the same fabric. I used a specific company debit card for expenses that I had previously calculated that amount I would spend at their store and because they didn’t honor my discount that I’ve been receiving for 10 years it declined. They thought it was funny and they laughed. I asked why they were laughing and purple shadows yelled “what we can’t laugh” and said I wasn’t normal. They yelled at me in a defensive way as if I was a problem to being with. Made me uncomfortable because I am a loyal customer. The owner himself told me to stop going to the Norcross location because he would always take care of me here. He lied and I felt humiliated by his staff. Not sure if my headscarf meant anything to the two ladies, but they were disrespectful from the beginning. When I asked to speak to the owner, they told me to go look for him in the back as if I knew where he would be. They were racist towards me and I want to speak to the owner to understand why...