My experiences at Mendel's have ranged from helpful and successful to frustrating and disappointing on a pretty regular basis. My first time in was the day before Halloween, and the place was /packed/ . I (and the rest of town) needed last-minute pieces for my Halloween costume and I braved the only craft store around because it HAD TO BE DONE. I wasn't expecting much success, but to my surprise they had everything I needed (round papier mache box, poster paint, hot pink ribbon, and most importantly -- a wig cap!) AND the employees were managing to be helpful and upbeat while still directing all the shopping traffic. I was very impressed. However, I once made another visit with a slightly odd craft in mind, but something I knew I could do. This time I had to really set out and find someone to help me, and when she did she pretty openly scoffed at my idea for what I wanted to work on. (I may or may not have been attempting to mend the toes of my pair of Toms shoes in the same fashion as dancers darn the boxes of their pointe shoes. I knew what I was doing! I just needed supplies) She didn't much try to hide that she thought the idea was silly and a waste of time, suggesting I just get new shoes. Well, tough luck, lady, because it worked and I've gotten a lot more life out of these shoes than I would have otherwise! I've made other visits since, because of what they have available, but I always have to go in knowing that it's the service I can't rely on. It makes for a pleasant surprise when the staff is good! So in conclusion, they have a fun stock of supplies for various sorts of crafts and some basic art supplies, and their fabric section looks promising though I haven't yet been able to put it to use. Their staff is incredibly hit-or-miss, however, so if you're headed in, just be ready to either be helped or to meet with a lot of attitude. read more

I have had pleasant experiences in this store, but mostly I long for a Michael's to open up nearby and put them out of business. This place is great if you need a costume for your Furry Sex Party or Bondage Theme Party or your Lesbian Sandwich Party. But not if you want art supplies, which are both limited and PRICEY (though, in fairness, on par with FLAX). Half the time customer service is really good, the other half the time, customer service is stoned-out-of-their-minds bad. The exception being at the counter, where it is *consistently* bad (also, often smelly). I know the owners don't give a shit about their customers or they wouldn't have such a lousy website. Check it out for yourself: http://www.mendels.com/ I haven't seen crap like that since I ate a bad burrito. read more

Review #1285. Came here to look for some ideas to get some fabrics, but ended up getting materials and made my first Victorian style laced hat. The people were helpful in terms of finding different fabrics and how to complete a project that I only have 6 hours to make the hat for an outdoors event. Because they close at 6pm, by 5:45pm they became impatient and irritated that I still had not paid. I definitely tried my best to grab everything needed. So definitely come here earlier to make it a more leisure shopping experience. read more

Pretty much the WORST customer service ever! I purchased the wrong item due to poorly labeled packaging... and when I returned 20 minutes later to exchange it, the OWNER came by and said in a nasty tone "how am I supposed to resell that?" when I asked to pay the difference and get the item I actually needed. I am an artist and I spend a LOT of money on my supplies. For a measly $4 that rude owner just lost all of my business and I will never recommend this store to anyone. PLUS Mendel's doesn't even really carry any professional artist supplies or quality fabrics. Basically the only customers they can help are 10 year olds with no actual artistic background (I'm talking rubber stamps and paint by numbers) who have money to burn. read more

So, I was looking through the other reviews & I honestly dont have issues with the staff. If I need something they help me & that's what they're there to do. Not be anyone's personal slave when it comes to service. YOU'RE IN THE HAIGHT, PEOPLE. I see it as being a super chill little store with super chill staff, yes some things are pricey, but if you dont like that move on to another store like Blick or Flax. Mendels is pricey because they're a local place & there isnt a chain store like Michael's around (luckily for them). If you're kind & courteous to them, they will be the same. I've even joked & had a chat with some of them and they were all pleasant with me. Not really sure what other people are expecting, but they live up to my expectations just fine. Maybe it's because I've worked retail & customer service before? I dont know, but either way I'd say they're doing fine. I'm usually going to Mendel's to pick up some of their faux fur as I make stuffed animals & things like that & they're always helpful when I'm trying to pick something out. I always get asked if I need any help with anything at least once while I'm there. If I do need help I ask someone & if they're doing something else I may have to wait for a couple minutes but they always come to help me & are friendly while doing it. Their faux fur is also FAR more reasonable than the faux fur at Fabric Outlet on Mission & has better quality & selection than both Fabric Outlet & Discount Fabrics here in SF. I will say that they dont have everything I need, but they are a small store & they can only cram so much into one small space, this is why other places exist. I'll definitely keep returning. read more

Should have read Yelp reviews first! I used to go to Mendels for odds and ends for my costumes. As others have said they have a good selection of furs, but the prices are better at Discount Fabrics (where the selection is pretty much the same if not better than Mendels). Just moved back to the city and went in for enamel gloss. Didn't really know what I wanted but new I did not want Modge Podge. I couldn't find any of the brands and products I had listed, so I decided to ask the person at the counter (the only person I could find in the store) for help. I should have read the reviews here so I would have expected extremely poor and rude service!!! The Elvis Costello-wanna-be sales clerk didn't look at the list I had brought or ask what I needed it for. He just said with a cold look on his face, "Across from the brushes." I had looked there and only see Modge Podge, so I told him I wasn't looking for Modge Podge. He looked me square in the face and sharply said in an exaggerated slow tone as if I was unable of understanding the simplistic order emanating from his thin lips, "ACROSS- from- the- brushes." He then simply returned to the magazine he was reading. I went back to the section across from the brushes, couldn't locate any of the products I needed except Modge Podge. I was sure that one of the products they carried would work for my project, but the last thing I wanted to do was to deal with the cashier grinch again! I was so angry with the rude service I left. I will never return again. There are plenty of other craft and art stores in SF with excellent service and friendly help, I will never deal with Mendel's again! read more

Won't shop here again after the icy treatment a manager gave us today. We'd just been rung up for the costume supplies our kids had chosen, plus a separate item that we hadn't realized cost as much as it did. When we apologetically tried to return it minutes later, the manager told us in the least-friendly way possible that it (a henna tattoo kit) was considered costumery and was therefore nonreturnable. Never mind that the cashier who had initially helped us had mentioned that a refund via a gift card might be possible. "Once you buy it, it's considered yours. No exceptions," the manager said, and walked off. Not a modicum of sympathy; in fact, he rather seemed to enjoy his little lecture. Hope it was worth the loss of four customers! read more

Desperately in need of peach felt to complete my impeachment costume for Halloween, Mendel's came to my rescue and had everything I could possibly need and everyone was very helpful & friendly. Thanks so much! read more

Dude I love mendels, it's great. the only thing that blows (and I've never taken to yelp for this before) is the staff. The staff, they suck. It would be nice in a fabric store/craft store to feel comfortable requesting assistance or opinions and in Mendel's they're NOT exactly approachable. Fabric and trim selection is fun and unique, they have cutesy holiday decorations for whichever holiday is coming up, and lots of other fun goodies. Haight street definitely wouldn't be the same for me without it :) read more

My neighborhood art store, I go here as often as the grocery store! I can usually find anything I need -- from fine art supplies (I pickup my prisma color color pencils here) to crafty things to make costumes. They have one of the best selections of trimmings I have seen in San Francisco. You'll notice that it has a bad rating on here: this is because in the past, the staff here *was* snarky and unfriendly. But the management has changed out the staff, and now it has a great vibe! I'm friends with a few of the people that work here, they're all really nice and helpful. read more

Two stars for simply being the nearest craft store.. PS: Who has 5:50pm as their closing time?! pps: how rude is it to not let people in the door at 5:45pm?! some people have jobs.. not me.. but word on the street is that they do exist . read more

This place is seriously nuts. It's ginormous and jammed pack full of anything you need from rubber stamps to fabric. I went in here looking for some black ribbon in a particular size to make a choker for an outfit I was going to wear. They had maybe 2 types of black ribbon. Not one that I was looking for which sucked since fabric stores should have a million types of black ribbon. They make an announcement for their closing time, which I think is not really fair. They blurt out that they will be closing in 10 mins....I can't hussle in 10 mins. They should close their store 10 mins after their closing time....but I guess people have things to do. read more

This place brought back the old sorority girl, arts and crafty type back into me. It scared me for a second and then I embraced it, thinking of all the endless possibilities this place has. This place has so much fun fabric from hundreds of different fuzzies to vinyls as well. I really wanted to get naked and roll around on all the furry fabrics. Really, this place did bring back the crazy sorority girl in me. They even sell "scraps" of fur for your smaller furry project. PS.... I don't recommend bringing a straight guy here. read more

This place has a pretty large supply of art items as well as fabrics and costume parts. It's nice that it's so spacious and I liked being able to just wander sections to look rows and rows of yarn (#grannyatheart), perler beads (!), and clay. I do have a few qualms, though. The prices are definitely higher than what you get online at Amazon or even places like Michael's, so while I like being able to actually SEE and HOLD the product, I imagine if I needed something, I would ideally end up ordering on Amazon...Also, I was surprised that they were missing some supplies that I feel like a lot of artists count as Super Serious Supplies, like Copics markers....instead they have Tombow brush pens??!?! NOOOOOOOOOO. That said, if you want to be settin' trends with your self-made Halloween costumes, or need something super last minute, this is ze place. read more

The good: It is a "one stop shop" sort of place. If you have an artsy project in mind, chances are you'll be able to find what you need without having to run around town making several stops. The cool: There is a cute selection of buttons and novelty fabrics. The not so cool: The staff can be aloof, not very helpful, right down rude. Bad experience anecdote: I came in with an (empty!) disposable soda cup - the kind you get at a fast food joint. The gray haired lady at the front counter gave me the stink eye. I asked if she had a garbage can where I could dispose of the offending cup. She answered me in the most condescending tone: "Go outside! Empty the contents and THEN I'll throw it away for you!!!". The cup was already empty!! There was nothing left to spill in your precious store/garbage can!!! I just left and didn't come back. read more

This is a fun crafty type art store. You wont find the materials you need for an art class at the Academy. You probably wont find what you are looking for if you come here with a purpose. But if you do show up here on a whim, chances are you will leave with something pretty cool. Last time, I left with 4 buttons i needed for a playa coat, and a almost left with a how to make fun stuff out of your thumbprint book. I am throwing a mardi-gras themed party, and realistically, it will probably be a safe bet that i can come in here and find the mask/feathers etc i need to get decked out for the party, but I'm not going to hold my breath. read more

Consistently the worst customer service I've ever seen. I'm a retail worker--I know it's a bad job--and for this I don't expect much! And yet I think their customer service is unacceptable! They have a sign at the register letting customers know that it's "RUDE" to use their cellphones--I agree--but I had to wait for the cashier to stop texting and help me! I once asked a worker if I could use a certain type of dye on cotton and she said in the bitchiest tone, "Well, I don't know why you would!" and she continued on making me feel retarded for asking for some advice. read more

I went in on Saturday to pick up the a few specific trims for my Halloween costume. Considering how crowded it was the staff moved people through the line quickly. They also have a relatively large selection of temporary tattoos, but they are kept in two different spots. Mendel's looses customer service stars at the cutting table. I purchased a few yards of various ribbon and they did not even attempt to roll them up. I was just handed a pile of ribbon to carry in my hand. The least they could do is put the ribbon pile in a small bag. Since there was no one waiting I took the time to neatly organize my ribbons before leaving the cutting table. read more

The fur selection is awesome and relatively inexpensive. Plus, since I bought 4 continuous yards they through in a 5th for free. AND everything in the store was 25% off. The staff was also friendly and helped me figure out how much material I needed and what would work best for my ideas. Thanks for the help! read more

It absolutely cannot be true that I haven't Yelped from the rooftops about how awesome Mendel's is. How could that possibly be? Family-owned, independent, and just how do they *fit* all that awesomeness in one place?! Naomi and her staff are extremely helpful, kind and courteous. Whatever you need, they can get it for you or order it and have it some time soon. And they're big supporters of other local organizations and businesses in the Haight. Short version: Keep it real by buying cool stuff here + keep it local while feeling good about supporting a small, family-owned, local business = 100% awesome. read more

Although Mendel's is located in a very trafficky area, I love it. They always seem to have whatever it is I'm looking for (painting supplies, feathers, glues, ribbons, fabrics, sewing supplies, etc). The prices aren't exactly modest, however - I understand it's a small shop and they're trying to make a buck like everyone else. Sometimes they have 15 % or 25 % sales on everything - and if you ask the clerks - they'll give you one of those stampy cards for discounts. It's pretty rad - also, they have great cotton - printed fabrics. Pro's: feathers and fabric/sewing section Con's: cost of paint and closing time at 6PM read more

Mendel's is great. I've been coming here since high school for any sort of art project I've set my mind to. If it's knitting, I know I can find a decent selection of yarns; sewing, fabric and all the accompanying supplies abound (and if you need shag or animal prints, this is a great place to get those); painting, I can get brushes, paints, and paper; collage, I've purchased a couple large bottles of Mod Podge for all of my collaging and decoupaging needs; covering tables or making bags out of oil cloth, they've got that too. This is not Blick or Pearl, so the selection for each kind of medium isn't huge, but there's plenty to get you going. If nothing else, Mendel's is just a really fun store with friendly people and thousands of items guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing. read more

What was once primarily a house-paint store has diversified over the years and evolved into a full art-supply outlet. They specialize in offbeat costume wear, eccentric fabrics, and accessories, as well as arts-and-crafts items like origami kits, stickers, oil paint and water colors, brushes, paper supplies, markers, and rubber stamps. read more

Mendel's - Fabric Stores Near Me - San Francisco, California

Imagine an art supply store that closed in 1987 and re-opened today without changing a thing. Welcome to Mendel's. read more

Love this place. It was absolutely crazy just before Bay to Breakers, but I do love it. I get lost in all the possibilities. :)

One of the other reviewers complained about some of the weird, little-used supplies that they carry, but I think that's one of their advantages. If I'm looking for a common supply it'll be pretty easy to find somewhere else, but it's good to know where to go when I need something offbeat. Last time I was here I got buckram and a lovely oilcloth remnant. The prices for some things (like sewing machine needles) do seem rather steep. read more

Maybe this place is so overpriced because it's on Haight, but either way, I had a good time picking out crafts. We stumbled into it while checking out all that Haight street has to offer (food, vintage, books...you know...). I got cork boards, some little wooden frames, and card stock. If I knew how to sew, this place would have been even cooler, because the upper level has a bunch of fabrics. this is a really fun store, just try not to get carried away, because it may add up. read more

I had a bad a bad experience from start to finish. I only needed black pipe cleaners, which Target didn't sell in an assortment (or maybe they just sold out), so before making my way to Mendel's, I called to see if they sold it either individually or in an assortment. The lady who answered the phone was rude and said they were busy (which I understand since it's Halloween weekend) but she could have been nice about it. I work in retail, too, so I found that really offensive because I wouldn't want to treat a guest like that, too. I went into the store. Probably the only nice interaction I had with the Mendel's staff was the kind sir who directed me to the location I was looking for. I got my product and stood in a long line (which I didn't mind - again, it's Halloween weekend). By the time I got to the register, the one product I needed did not apparently fulfill the credit minimum since I had a card an absolutely no cash at all. They legit need to make it a sign right when you enter - not just at the register. The male cashier said he had to refuse my service because I had no cash. FINE, LOSE CUSTOMERS. Instead, I went around the store, wasted more time to find another item or two to make the minimum. Had to wait in the long line again and be rang up by the same cashier. Ended up spending 5x more than intended. I really like the abundance of products this store provides. However, I really wish that they made things more apparent. Oh, and they need to post price tags on either all the items or even in the section the product is located. That was a struggle trying to figure out as well. read more

The staff here has never been rude to me but Ive seen it happen a few times (in the same visit nonetheless) that the staff has yelled at customers not understanding their return policy (at one point when a woman tried to return some paper she bought they told her obviously if she lived in the Haight she could afford the $3 and should stop being a bitch about it) The prices do seem a bit high but what bothers me more is that they dont seem to stock things well. Granted they have a decent selection but there are a lot of things that seem like they should be available but just have empty spots on the shelves. All in all, if you need some paper or a few pens check it out but if youre looking to get a lot of new gear I would take your business somewhere else. read more

I like this place, I'm glad it is there. When I needed to add a blood stripe to a pair of goodwill navy blue pants to make my Han Solo Halloween costume, they just happened to have a black and red striped ribbon that was perfect for the look I was trying to create. I'm not sure what a good price on ribbon is, nor did I really care, since this was a specific item that made much less work for me than I expected to have to do...it was $1.35 per yard. This place has a large selection of fabrics with cute prints, furry fabrics for costumes, and unusual fabrics that I have no idea what people do with them, as well as a limited, but well thought out, selection of arts and crafts supplies. Makes for an interesting remnants bin that I will have to go back and dig through on a day with fewer customers. The store was pretty busy when I went in, primarily because it was on a weekend leading up to Halloween, but I found the overall experience to be pretty easy. There was a little bit of a line to get the ribbon measured and cut, and if I had needed to have multiple kinds of fabric cut or was in a hurry, that might be somewhat annoying, but I don't mind waiting in reasonable lines with reasonable people, so it was just fine. The people who work there are helpful when you ask for help, not overly friendly, though not in any way rude (Personally, I don't really want or expect a personal relationship with every sales clerk or cashier I come across). Overall, if you are working on some huge project, or are in an art school class with a long list of specific supplies, you probably will be more likely to find what you want for less at a larger store. But, if you live in the neighborhood and need a specialty fabric for a costume, or some supplies for your personal projects, this is the go-to spot. read more

Mendel's was always apart of my childhood: the cabinets of buttons and all sorts of bits and pieces for every project. Boxes and trays for storage and every pen and paint you could think to fill them with. I especially like the no cell phone policy inside the store. read more

PERFECT! I can spend hours in here. Crafts, fabric, professional supplies. Pretty much the one stop shop for the multifaceted artist. Not necessarily a specialty store a certain type of art. Distracted by all of the pretty, playful pieces and couldn't stop shopping. It's like Michaels meets Plaza Art or Utrecht...if you get what I'm talking about. Oh, and most of the staff is helpful. read more

Upon entering this unassuming storefront, which you could almost miss for the heavy splash of color along most of Haight St, are long aisles giving equal space both to art and crafts alike. It looks like a well-tended art supply store. But the real treat is to the very back and up a short climb of stairs. The destination being: the fabric department! It's difficult to not be taken with some simmering project ideas when looking over several hundred bolts of various plain fantastic prints. No. This isn't your more garden variety Joann Fabrics. Running the gamut are Day of the Dead prints, reproduction barkcloth, Asian, African and Caribbean patterns, and on and on.. Also worth mention are floor bins that contain dozens of rolls of fruit and flower patterned oilcloth and another with sparkle and textured vinyl. And definitely be sure to check out the corridor of fake fur. I certainly never imagined so many patterns, colors, animals existed for the choosing and in it's very own aisle! I had been tipped off to this place by a friend and in turn told another who was going to be visiting San Francisco shortly thereafter. And I actually was compelled to return a second time to be sure i hadn't missed anything before boarding a plane for home the following day. All around a winner for the creative set! read more

Pricey, but here out in the Richmond, I seem to have very few options. Plus, Mendel's carries a pretty freakin' huge selection of cotton fabrics with skulls and skeletons on them. Not that I need that particular pattern of fabric, but it's kinda neat that they have that. That and the fur! All kinds of fake, fuzzies. All kinds of colors, textures and lengths of fake, fuzzies to be exact. If you ever need bright neon-red fur, this is the place. But Mendel's also carries buttons, craploads of em' in all kinds of shapes and colors as well. And can't forget to mention the mosaic tile cave in the corner, the costuming section, the yarns, the tassels, ribbons, fringe, sketch books, watercolor pads, paints, paper and beads. Sheesh. They have everything, for not having much of a choice out in the Richmond, I guess I got one pretty freakin' awesome craft shop to go to. Next time I need to make a Chewbacca suit, I'll know where to go. read more

Arts and Crafts in the Haight? Perfect location! They have art supplies, writing supplies, sewing supplies, crafting supplies, hats and costumes! If you've got a creative streak (or have kids who do), then this is the right place to find something for home crafting. Bolts of fabrics in the back (up the stairs), writing and art supplies throughout the middle of the store, and a bit of everything in between (books, stickers, stamps, greeting cards) throughout the store. Prices = reasonable to moderate. It depends on what you are looking for. Service = seemed friendly. read more

I love Mendel's. As I walk down Haight Street it's one of few stores I look forward to, where I know I'll discover some quirky type of craft or tool. By my review clearly I was lucky in only having someone who couldn't count change but wasn't rude to me. I found a great stocking stuffer in the Moleskin department: a 4x6 220 page sketch book, black hardcover, embossed with "Mendels, 4 generations." or something like that. It's old school. The book is $5. It'll make me want to draw, sketch, and think creatively when making a to do list. Mendel's has beads, fabric, random costumes, stamps, tattoos, paint stuff, lots of great things for a quick cheap present for an adult or kid. Maybe it's because to me craft stores are like hardware stores are for guys (gross generalization...I love hardware stores too!) but I love it. Not a lot of indi craft places around so check it out if you need a cheap fun gift! read more

Imagine that., laryngitis has put me on a yelping spree. Mendel's was great to me. I was surprised by the level of service. I went in with a short list for a small project and got eager, friendly service. For arts and crafts in a pinch, Mendel's seems to cover all bases (for fabric however, I would go elsewhere for better prices). read more

The staff at Mendel's is generally very helpful and friendly. They have a pretty good selection for being a smaller city art supply store. I always try to support the local businesses in my neighborhood instead of shopping at any big box stores. read more

Pretty decent selection of faux furs, more than discount fabrics. Not the best prices, but the best I could find in the city. Sewing my faux fur coat for the playa this year. read more

Why is it that all arts & crafts stores in the city open at 10am, and close at 5:30? They are losing my business because of this. ARGH. That being said, I managed to get over there when they were open and they helped me select a needle to hand-sew some PVC. The store definitely has a little bit of everything, and its focus is definitely not on sewing. Think of it more like an expanded glue, scissors, and beads store. Various arts & crafts stuff can be found here, but none of it is particularly competitively priced. Wish there were other options but it'll do for the moment. read more