Daisygirl

My go to place for fabric was always the Old Country Store but now they are closed. I am going shopping for fabric this weekend, and I am looking for opinions about Burkholders or Obie's. I have never been to either of these stores and was wondering if one is better than the other if I had to choose.

JoyceHoopes

I haven't been to Obie's as far as I remember. I do like Burkholders, remember it as set up like the LQS. I also like Sauders which is a type unto itself. Is this the weekend for Lancaster or just after? When the show is on, these shops often look as though they have been plundered and may be very crowded; afterward it may take a little time to get back to regular stock. Joyce in DE

just_the_scraps_m'am

obie's---OMG, a place you'll never forget---and it's very cramped---aisles are jam packed with bolts. if something doesn't fall on you consider yourself lucky! do you have an address for burkholders? i'm sure I've been in it, but don't recall location....

Daisygirl

Burkholders is in Denver, pa

sew watts quilter

As for the shopping experience, Burkholders and Obie's are the exact opposite ends of the spectrum. Burkholders is big, light, airy and organized. It's easy to find everything and the staff is very helpful. Their fabrics are beautiful. The prices are typical of any LQS.

Obie's is a tiny, cramped, dark and totally unorganized place, but it's an experience you shouldn't pass up. The staff is nice (not overly friendly) but they know where to find what you are looking for, which is a miracle in itself. There are piles and piles and piles of bolts of fabric. It is claustrophobic and when you leave you will feel like you need a shower - it's dusty. One good thing about Obie's is that some of the fabric has been there for a while, and the don't change the prices on the bolt, so the prices are reasonable.

I enjoy both when I'm in the Lancaster area. Happy shopping!!!!

charsuewilson

Burkholders looks like a normal LQS with prices a little lower but similar to an LQS. They had an upstairs, apparently with some sale fabric, but I can't do stairs, so I haven't seen it. Sauders is all in a basement, piles of stuff on tables, some on bolts on shelves, decent prices, but I can't do the stairs any more.

There's Zooks near where the Old Country store was. They and Sauders are owned by the same people. They have piles of fabric 3-5 yards on tables, plus bolts on shelves. Decent prices.

I want to see Obies some time, although I don't know if I could go in there.

just_the_scraps_m'am

I googled burkholder's and wow it has changed since I've been there last. used to be a giant red barn. you can see inside the shop if you look online--looks spacious--as though it's been upgraded since I was there last.

just_the_scraps_m'am

all their fabric in obie's is on the lower level, there's no stairs--but I won't say there's anything EZ about getting thru their aisles......

ragamuffin

Near Shady Maple Smorgasbord, 1324 Main St., East Earl, Pa. there is a store called Goods in their complex. It has very nice fabric on the bolts as well as flat folds. The flat folds run about $3.59 a yd. and are brand name fabrics.
If you leave there on Rt 23, Obies is to the right (east) a little ways, 1585 Main St., Goodville, Pa. If you go the other way (west on 23) at the stop light 23 &Rt. 322, there is a new shop right at the light. I know they carry Stonehenge
and other nice fabrics because I am going back there myself. I have bought a lot of fabric at Zooks at Intercourse. They have a good sale during the Lancaster Quilt Show. Also, they sell bolts off the truck at different times of the year. Be sure to pick up the little yellow "Free Map of Amish Farmlands" because it has most quilt places listed. I am
going to the quilt show on Wed. or Thurs. and have my list and money ready, as well as a good driver. Have fun.

ragamuffin

I just found the address for Family Farm Fabrics at the cross roads of 23 & 322. It is 1121 Main St., East Earl, Pa.
They have the Stonehenge. I had picked up a new brochure for the Pa Fabric Outlet, 2460 New Holland Pike, (Rt. 23)
Lancaster, Pa. Calico prints are listed for $4.98 and under. They list 2 other places, one in Lemoyne, Pa. and one in
Philadelphia. I have never been to this one yet. Another card I picked up - The Quilt & Fabric Shack is at 3137 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-hand, Pa. I am giving addresses for you to put in your GPS. I keep a folder for that area. I am only an hour away but hubby has to go eat at Shady Maple. Its the place to eat.