You know that specific smell when you walk into a craft store? It’s a mix of vinegary screen-printing ink, dusty polyester batting, and that sweet, woody scent of unpainted birdhouses. For anyone living in the Inland Northwest, Joann Fabrics Spokane Valley WA has been that sensory home base for years. It’s located right on East Indiana Avenue, practically a stone's throw from the Spokane Valley Mall.
But honestly, things have been a bit weird lately.
If you’ve driven by the 15110 E Indiana Ave location recently, you might have noticed the vibe is different. It’s not just your imagination. The retail world for crafters has been a total roller coaster over the last year. With the company navigating a massive Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring—the second one in a short window—the Spokane Valley spot has been caught in the middle of some pretty heavy corporate drama.
What’s Actually Happening on Indiana Avenue?
Let's get the elephant out of the room. There was a huge scare in early 2025 when a list of store closures started circulating. The Spokane Valley location was actually on a "to-be-closed" list at one point, which sent local quilters and cosplayers into a minor tailspin.
The reality? It’s complicated.
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While some Joann locations across the country were shuttered almost overnight, the Spokane Valley store has been fighting to stay relevant. You've probably seen the "Liquidation" signs at various points. But here is the thing: liquidation doesn't always mean the building is being demolished tomorrow. Sometimes it’s a tactic to clear out old "freight" that has been sitting in the backroom for literal years.
Staffing has been the biggest hurdle. Local Reddit threads are full of stories from employees at the Spokane locations—both the Valley and the one on North Francis—talking about "skeleton crews." Basically, you have three people trying to run a 25,000-square-foot store. One person is stuck at the cutting counter with a line of twelve people holding bolts of flannel, while the other is trying to manage the registers. It’s a mess, but the people working there are usually doing their absolute best with zero backup.
Why People Still Choose This Location
Despite the corporate chaos, Joann Fabrics Spokane Valley WA still holds a weirdly specific power over the local DIY community. Why? Because sometimes you just need to feel the fabric. You can’t tell if a "performance knit" is actually scratchy by looking at a thumbnail on Amazon.
The Cutting Counter Culture
There is a specific etiquette at the Indiana Ave store. You grab your ticket, you wait, and you chat. It’s where you find out who is making costumes for the upcoming Lilac Festival or who is struggling with a tension issue on their vintage Singer.
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The "Hidden" Clearance
Because the store has struggled with organization—you’ll often see boxes stacked in aisles—there are legitimate treasures buried in the back. If you’re willing to dig through the disorganized "Remnant" bin near the cutting counter, you can find high-end upholstery scraps for like three bucks. It's basically a scavenger hunt for people who sew.
The Competition
Spokane Valley isn't exactly a desert for crafters. You’ve got Hobby Lobby nearby and local gems like The Quilting Bee. But Joann holds the monopoly on specific "apparel" needs. If you need a very specific invisible zipper or a pattern from Vogue or McCall's, the local quilt shops usually won't have it. They focus on the "quilting life," whereas Joann is for the weird stuff—foam for couch cushions, faux fur for mascots, and Cricut vinyl in fifty shades of "Glitter Rose Gold."
Survival Tips for Your Next Visit
If you're heading down to the Valley store this week, don't just wing it. You’ll leave frustrated.
- The App is Non-Negotiable. Never, ever pay full price at Joann. The store is designed around a high-low pricing model. If you don't have a 40% or 50% off coupon pulled up on your phone, you are effectively paying a "tax" for not being prepared.
- Check the Hours. Don't trust Google Maps blindly. Because of the staffing issues mentioned earlier, some stores have been opening late or closing early without updating their digital footprint.
- Curbside Pickup is a Wildcard. It’s a great idea in theory. In practice at the Spokane Valley location, if the store is slammed, your "ready in 2 hours" order might take 24. If you need it now, go inside.
The Future of Crafting in the Valley
Is it going away? Maybe. The long-term health of the brand is shaky. Retail experts point out that the company has struggled to compete with online giants and the "instant gratification" of places like Michael's.
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However, there is a core group of Spokane makers who refuse to let it go. There is something fundamentally human about wandering through aisles of yarn and imagining what a ball of wool could become. Even if the floors are a bit dusty and the shelves are half-empty, the Indiana Avenue store remains a landmark for people who still make things with their hands.
If you want to support the local crafting economy, the best thing you can do is actually show up. Buy the thread. Use the coupon. Be patient with the person at the cutting counter who hasn't had a break in six hours.
Actionable Next Steps for Spokane Crafters:
- Download the JOANN app before you leave your house to ensure you have the latest "Total Purchase" coupons, which often stack with individual item discounts.
- Call the store directly at (509) 928-1122 if you are looking for a specific high-ticket item like a sewing machine or a Cricut Venture, as inventory counts online are notoriously inaccurate for the Spokane Valley location.
- Visit during "off-peak" hours (typically Tuesday or Wednesday mornings) to avoid the 30-minute wait times at the cutting counter that usually plague the Saturday afternoon rush.