If you’ve lived in the Wyoming Valley long enough, you know the drill with the shopping centers along Route 11. It’s a mix of nostalgia and new development. Tucked into the Gateway Shopping Center, the Joann Fabrics Edwardsville PA store stays busy. Honestly, it’s one of those anchor spots that people from Kingston, Wilkes-Barre, and even up toward Pittston rely on when they need a specific shade of DMC embroidery floss or a yard of anti-pill fleece for a last-minute tie blanket.
It isn't just about the shelves. It’s about the community that gathers there. You’ll see local quilters debating the merits of longarm quilting versus hand-stitching in the aisles. You’ll see parents scrambling through the seasonal decor section during the back-to-school rush.
The store sits at 18 Gateway Center. It’s right there in the heart of Edwardsville, a town that has seen its fair share of retail shifts over the decades. While many big-box craft stores have struggled to keep their doors open in the age of rapid-fire e-commerce, this particular location keeps chugging along. Why? Because you can’t exactly feel the drape of a heavy velvet or the "hand" of a pima cotton through a smartphone screen.
What to Expect at the Edwardsville Store
Walking into the Joann Fabrics Edwardsville PA location feels familiar if you've been to any of their suburban hubs, but it has a specific layout that locals have memorized. To the right, you’re usually hitting the seasonal items—think hay bales and plastic pumpkins in September or those oversized lawn ornaments in May.
The fabric department is the heart of the operation. It's huge.
They carry everything from basic quilting cottons and licensed character prints to the more "special occasion" stuff like bridal satins and sequins. If you're looking for upholstery fabric to fix that thrifted armchair you found in Forty Fort, they have a decent selection of home decor weights toward the back.
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The Cutting Counter Experience
The cutting counter is where the real action happens. It’s the nerve center. Sometimes there’s a wait. Okay, usually there’s a wait. You grab your little paper number from the dispenser and wander the nearby aisles of thread and zippers while you wait for your turn. The staff here—many of whom have been around for years—know their stuff. If you’re half a yard short on a bolt, they’ll often check the "remnant" bin for you or see if another bolt is hiding in the overstock.
- Pro Tip: Download the Joann app before you get to the register. The cell service inside the back of the store can be notoriously spotty, and there is nothing worse than standing at the front of the line trying to load a 40% off coupon while a line of five people stares at the back of your head.
- Hours: Generally, they open at 9:00 AM and close around 8:00 or 9:00 PM, but Sundays usually have shorter hours, often 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Always check the local listing if it’s a holiday; Gateway Center can get ghost-town quiet on Easter or Christmas.
Beyond Just Sewing
A lot of people think Joann is just for "the sewing crowd." That’s a mistake. The Joann Fabrics Edwardsville PA store has expanded its footprint in the "hard crafts" world over the last few years.
There is an entire section dedicated to Cricut and Silhouette machines. Vinyl cutters are huge right now. Whether you're making custom t-shirts for a family reunion at Kirby Park or etching glass for a wedding gift, they stock the rolls of Oracal and Siser vinyl you need.
Then there’s the yarn.
Rows and rows of acrylics, wool blends, and those giant "cake" yarns that are popular for one-skein scarves. During the winter months, this aisle gets packed. The Northeast PA climate basically demands that everyone owns at least three chunky knit hats, and half the town seems to be making them. You'll find brands like Lion Brand, Bernat, and Red Heart consistently stocked here.
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Navigating the Gateway Shopping Center
Parking is usually a breeze, which is a relief. The Gateway Shopping Center is sprawling. Unlike the chaos of the Wyoming Valley Mall area on a Saturday afternoon, Edwardsville’s main hub is a bit more laid back. You can park right in front of the Joann entrance.
If you're making a day of it, you’ve got options. You can hit the Petco nearby or grab a coffee. It makes the "chore" of running out for extra bias tape a lot more palatable.
One thing to keep in mind is the traffic on Route 11 (Wyoming Avenue). During rush hour, turning left out of the complex can be a nightmare. Local drivers know to use the back exits or the signaled intersections to avoid getting stuck in a permanent loop of "will they let me out?"
The "Real" Advice for Savvy Shoppers
Let’s talk money. Joann is famous—or maybe infamous—for its pricing model. You should almost never pay full price for anything there. If it isn't on sale, there's a coupon.
Joann Fabrics Edwardsville PA honors the "coupon stacking" rules that the corporate office sets, but you have to be smart about it. They usually allow one "regular priced item" coupon per transaction, plus whatever "total purchase" coupons are floating around in the mailers.
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- Check the Remnants: At the end of the cutting counter, there’s a bin of fabric pieces that are less than a yard. These are usually 50% to 75% off the current price. It’s a goldmine for crafters who do "scrappy" quilts or small doll clothes.
- Teacher and Military Discounts: They offer 15% off for teachers, healthcare workers, and military members. You have to sign up through their app or website to get the digital discount card, but it saves a ton over time.
- The "Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store" (BOPIS) Hack: If you’re in a rush and don't want to wander the aisles, use the website. The Edwardsville staff is pretty quick about pulling orders. You just walk to the designated area near the front, show your ID, and leave. It’s perfect for when you know exactly what you need and don't want to get distracted by the "New Arrivals" bin.
Common Misconceptions
People often confuse this location with smaller hobby shops or the big-box competitors over in Wilkes-Barre Township. While Michael's is great for framing and fine art supplies, Joann Fabrics Edwardsville PA is the undisputed king of textiles in the immediate area. If you're looking for heavy-duty foam for a couch cushion or specific patterns from Simplicity or Vogue, this is where you go.
Also, don't assume the staff are just "cashiers." Many of them are incredibly talented makers. I've overheard employees giving detailed advice on how to tension a sewing machine or which stabilizer to use for machine embroidery on stretchy knits. They are a resource. Use them.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip to the Edwardsville Joann, follow this workflow:
- Audit your stash first. Nothing is worse than buying a spool of thread only to realize you had three at home.
- Synchronize your app. Open the Joann app while you have good Wi-Fi at home and "clip" all the coupons. They stay in your "wallet" even if the store's data connection is slow.
- Measure twice. If you are buying fabric for curtains or a specific furniture project, bring your actual measurements on a piece of paper. Don't rely on your memory.
- Check the flyers at the door. Sometimes there are "in-store only" doorbusters that aren't advertised heavily online.
By the time you head back out onto Wyoming Avenue, you’ll have everything you need for that next project. Whether it’s a Halloween costume for a kid at State Street Elementary or a new set of outdoor cushions for the porch, this store remains a staple of the local creative economy. It's reliable, it's stocked, and it's a hell of a lot better than waiting five days for a shipping box to show up on your doorstep.