mostly in the western states, I think.

edit: sorry, echo post!

i've never shopped at Hobby Lobby, not sure if we have them around here. We have Michael's but I don't think I've ever gone there for anything.

We don't have Hobby Lobby here, which is just as well - saves me from temptation to egg their windows. Michael's, Jo-Ann's, Dick Blick, and a very small handful of local specialty shops (beads, stained glass, one place that sells only scrapbooking stuff . . .).

A family member dragged me to a Hobby Lobby up in PA years ago and I was a bit overwhelmed by the volume of Cheap$hitFromChina, not to mention the feeling that I was being beaten over the head with religion. Spent about $8 on a candle and got the hell out... forever.

yours is, of course, an excellent idea. Help out your local businesses who know how to separate their business operations from religion and politics.

I know not everyone does, though.

I'll "buy blue," so have no trouble supporting businesses that get political. And religion factors in occasionally -- Halal markets, kosher delis, Buddhas at Thai restaurants, etc. I'll even shop at the locally-owned Jesus fish nursery, because they offer an outstanding selection and hire knowledgeable staff. If a business has a rainbow flag, I'm more inclined to stop in. A local bar has a no guns policy; I'm there because they took a stand against the winning combination of "responsible gun owners" and alcohol. I shop at a union grocery store, at least for the basics.

I'm just really sick of the Christian Taliban and the influence it wields on Idiot America. Sigh.

The general rules concerning political ideologies:

1. Most (but not all) Hollywood celebrities are liberal.
2. Most (but not all) large corporations are run by conservatives.

Exceptions abound in both cases, but you've got a 75% or so chance of making such an assumption and being correct.

are not being assholes and know how to separate business from religion and politics. I would, however, prefer a liberal-run business if there is that alternative and I know about them.

See: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/06/26/michaels-i-p-o-prices-at-17-at-low-end-of-range/

They used to have two very full aisles for needlework supplies, charts, and tools. Now less than one side of one aisle is devoted to needlework and often it is not fully stocked.

Joann's hasn't cut back, but their stock is haphazard - sometimes, they simply don't have all the colors of floss available and there will be many holes in the racks.

As much as possible I buy from local shops, but the only "local" shop is 40+ miles one way from me and is sketchy at best - odd hours, odd selection of items, really odd owner. So I end up buying online from local shops in other places, trying to stop at local shops when I travel, or buying at national or regional seminar boutiques (which are usually run by a local shop).

what to buy and not buy.

Does anyone know???? Should they disclose it to the Public, and Employees, now?

What they're willing to sell is what manufacturers produce. Ran into this issue with polymer clay, which is my favorite craft material. The primary manufacturer, which used to make a good range of artist's colors, now make whatever Michael's is willing to put on their shelves.

Pat Catan's is an independent chain in northeastern Ohio and western PA that I used to frequent when I lived in the area. Not as complete a selection as the big chains, but worth checking out for good prices if they have do what you want. They were good on supplies for kids' group crafts.