Who knew Kitsap County was such a haven for sewing? Hancock Fabrics and Jo-Ann Fabrics, that’s who. Up until now, there had only been a handful of small fabric stores scattered around the county. Not any more.

A new, 30,000-square-foot, Jo-Ann etc store opened on July 20, at Silverdale Plaza. It replaces a smaller, 13,000 square foot store previously located at Kitsap Mall. Although small, the mall store did a volume in excess of $2 million a year, ranking it the top 10 of all Jo-Anne stores.

The new Silverdale store is the third Jo-Ann etc store in the state. The first opened in 1999 in Federal Way, and the second in May 2000 in Tukwila. In addition, there are 35 traditional Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts stores of approximately 15,000 square feet each in Washington.

Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., the parent company, is the nation’s largest fabric and craft retailer. Jo-Ann etc is the company’s newest brand, with stores three times larger than traditional fabric and craft stores. It features expanded fabric and crafting products, a full schedule of educational programs and new custom services side by side in a creative setting.

Hancock Fabrics recently opened a 20,000 square foot store on Wheaton Way, across the street from K-Mart and another competitor, Pacific Fabrics. It is Hancock’s 13th sore in the state and its largest.

In addition to the usual variety of clothing materials, the store also has a quilting section and sells home decorating materials as well as fleece, foam for cushions, marine vinyl, headliner fabric for RVs, not to mention irons and sewing machines. It also has a full-time home decorator on staff.