The Local Pennsylvania Fabric Shop That Families Have Visited For Generations

Over 7,000 trims and notions fill one family-run fabric shop, and the zippers are sold loose in a rainbow of colors and lengths.

Bolts of fabric climb all the way to the ceiling, stacked like a library of color.

The same family has run the business for three generations, starting in the 1920s as a men’s fabric wholesaler.

Today, glittery sequins and rhinestone fabric sit near the classic suit wool that made its name.

Pennsylvania has plenty of craft stores, but few can claim roots this deep on one historic street.

I like how this shop kept its old-school heart while happily chasing new trends.

I can’t imagine a better spot for a Halloween costume, a prom gown, or a very first sewing project. So, who’s ready to go browsing?

The Oldest Fabric Shop On The Row Still Has Its Doors Wide Open

A century is a long time to sell anything, let alone fabric on one famous street.

Fleishman Fabrics & Supplies traces its roots to 1923, and it’s known as the oldest continuously running fabric shop on Philadelphia’s Fabric Row.

Some sources place its start a bit later, in the late 1920s or early 1930s. Either way, this shop has been measuring and cutting cloth for many generations of Pennsylvania sewists.

The business didn’t start in its current spot. It began nearby at 5th and Monroe Streets as a men’s fabric wholesaler, also selling dry cleaning and tailoring supplies.

That background still shapes the store today. You’ll notice it in the serious tailoring tools and the strong lineup of suiting fabrics that pros come looking for.

Back in 1950, Fabric Row had about 25 fabric stores packed along the street. Only a handful of longtime shops remain now, which makes Fleishman’s survival pretty impressive.

Think of it as a living piece of city history that also happens to sell zippers.

You can browse the past and still leave with exactly what your project needs. Not many museums let you take the exhibits home, after all.

Three Generations Of One Family Keep The Scissors Busy

Family businesses usually fade after a generation or two.

The Fleishman family has kept going for three, and that’s no small feat in the fabric world.

The shop was founded by Stanley Fleishman’s father. Today, Stanley and his wife Tricia run the store alongside their son Joshua, the third-generation owner.

Joshua joined the business around 2015, right when the shop moved to its current 4th Street home. That move also marked a shift from mostly wholesale toward a friendlier retail setup.

Wholesale didn’t vanish, though. Shoppers can still buy either way, which helps both weekend crafters and working tailors.

I like how the family blends old habits with fresh ideas. The grandfather’s tailoring roots still show, yet the shelves now hold trendy fabrics he probably never pictured.

Shopping here feels a little like visiting relatives who really know their stuff. The difference is these relatives can match your thread color in seconds.

When people say families have visited for generations, the phrase works both ways here.

Customers bring their kids, and the owners pass the shop down to theirs. That kind of loop is rare, and honestly a little sweet.

Every Wall Is Stacked So High You Might Need To Look Up

Color hits you first. The interior is famously brimming floor to ceiling with material and trimmings, turning plain shelves into a giant patchwork wall.

Bolts of fabric stack high in every direction. Reds, blues, golds, and shiny metallics compete for your attention like kids raising their hands in class.

Don’t let the size worry you, either. The shop is organized, so things stay visible and easy to reach instead of buried in dusty piles.

The mood is straightforward and welcoming. Nobody rushes you, and browsing is part of the fun here.

Plan extra time if you can. It’s easy to come in for one spool of thread and suddenly find yourself petting velvet for twenty minutes.

Tip for first-timers: bring a small swatch or photo of your project. Holding it up against all those colors helps you narrow choices fast.

This kind of shop is getting harder to find in a world of online carts. Touching fabric in person tells you things a screen never can, like stretch, weight, and drape.

Your fingertips basically become your shopping assistant, and they work for free.

Sharp Suits Start With The Wool On These Shelves

Menswear suit fabric is the shop’s old claim to fame.

Given its start as a men’s fabric wholesaler, that specialty makes a lot of sense.

Tailors and serious sewists come for suiting and wool. These materials matter when you want a jacket that hangs well and holds its shape.

The everyday selection extends beyond suiting too. Cotton, denim, chiffon, knits, and decorative fabrics have all been among the materials shoppers have found here.

Specialty materials bring even more variety. The shop carries embellished fabrics, including sequins, glitter, and rhinestone fabrics for costumes and special occasions.

Bridal shoppers have choices as well. Lace and decorative trimmings give wedding projects that delicate, special-occasion feel.

Not sure which fabric fits your pattern? Ask before you buy, since stretch fabrics and woven fabrics behave very differently on a sewing machine.

Natural and synthetic materials share the shelves, so you can compare side by side. Feel a wool next to a polyester blend, and the difference jumps out.

That quick test can save a project, and maybe save your patience on a Sunday afternoon too.

Sequins, Spandex, And Enough Sparkle For A Stage Show

Grandmothers and drag queens shop the same aisles here.

That mix tells you a lot about how wide this store’s appeal really is.

The Fleishman family added trendy fashion fabrics over the years. Spandex, sequins, glitter, and rhinestone fabrics now sit proudly beside the classic stuff.

Costume makers get special love at this shop. It’s known for materials that costume designers need, from shiny stretch fabric to bold trims.

Halloween, theater, cosplay, dance recitals, and pageants all start somewhere. Sparkly fabric this close to home makes those projects much easier to pull off.

Working with sequins takes a little care, though. Use a fresh needle and sew slowly so the little discs don’t jam your machine.

The customer list goes far beyond costume fans. Local makers, home sewists, crafters, teachers, and art students all come through the door too.

I believe that variety keeps the shop feeling lively. One person might need plain lining while the next wants enough glitter to blind a disco ball.

Both leave happy, and that’s a pretty good sign of a shop doing things right.

Over 7,000 Tiny Treasures Wait In The Notions Aisle

Zippers sold loose sound like a small thing.

Here, they come unpackaged in loads of colors and lengths, so you grab exactly what fits.

The shop stocks more than 7,000 notions, trims, and tailoring supplies. That’s a staggering number for anyone who’s ever hunted all over town for one odd button.

The list gets wonderfully specific. Buttons, binding tape, strap cord, interfacings, elastics, and shoulder pads all have a home here.

Bag makers will appreciate the pocketbook hardware. Studs and spikes are available too, for anyone giving a jacket some attitude.

Thread fans have options like Gutermann and serger threads such as Maxi-lock. Matching thread color matters more than people think, so check it in good light.

Dry cleaning supplies remain on hand, a nod to the shop’s earliest days. Many items can be tough to track down elsewhere in the city.

Here’s a practical tip: make a list before you go. With this much choice, it’s easy to forget the one small piece that holds your whole project together.

Ask me how I know zippers love to hide from memory.

A Street Once Called Der Ferder Still Hums With Thread

Long ago, this stretch was known in Yiddish as Der Ferder, meaning the fourth.

It served as a Jewish Quarter and a busy hub for textile and garment trades.

Today, Fabric Row runs along South 4th Street between Bainbridge and Catharine Streets. It sits in Philadelphia’s charming Queen Village neighborhood.

You’ll find Fleishman Fabrics & Supplies at 737 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147. It’s right in the heart of the Row’s long sewing story.

The neighborhood has changed with the times. Vintage boutiques and restaurants now mix with traditional fabric shops, blending history with modern city life.

That mix makes for an easy afternoon out. Shop for fabric, then wander the block and enjoy one of Pennsylvania’s most character-filled shopping streets.

Street parking is the usual city routine, so give yourself a few spare minutes. Comfortable shoes help too, especially if you plan to explore beyond one store.

Knowing the street’s past makes buying a simple spool of thread feel bigger.

You’re adding your own small chapter to a story that’s been stitched together for generations. Pretty good value for a quick errand.

Beginners Get Patient Help Instead Of Blank Stares

New to sewing and feeling lost? The staff here are known for being knowledgeable and genuinely helpful, which makes a big difference.

They’ll help with color matching and fabric pairing. They can also suggest the right fabric type for your project, so you don’t waste money on the wrong material.

That’s a huge relief for first-timers. Picking knit when you needed woven can turn a fun weekend into a frustrating one.

Pros benefit too. Tailors and designers can get help locating specific items in a store that holds thousands of choices.

The shop’s extensive selection of notions and tailoring supplies helps beginners find the materials needed for their first projects.

Shoppers have also reported finding discounted cotton fabrics, although prices and inventory can change.

Practice fabric is smart for beginners. Sew a test version first, then cut into the nicer stuff once you’ve worked out the tricky parts.

Bring your questions, your pattern, or even a sketch on a napkin. Clear details help the team point you toward the right supplies faster.

Good help turns a confusing project into one you’ll actually finish, and maybe even brag about.

Reinventing Itself Is Basically The Family Business Too

Staying open for about a century takes more than good fabric.

It takes a willingness to change, and this family has shown that again and again.

During the pandemic, the store was deemed an essential business. It supplied materials for mask-making when people across the city needed them most.

The shift from wholesale to retail was another smart move. Opening up to everyday shoppers helped the store reach crafters, students, and hobbyists.

Adding sparkly fashion fabrics kept things fresh as well. Trends come and go, and Fleishman Fabrics & Supplies keeps finding ways to ride them.

That flexibility helps explain why it outlasted so many neighbors on Fabric Row. Plenty of shops closed, while this one kept adjusting its stock and style.

Planning a trip? Check current hours before heading out, since schedules can shift by season and day.

I believe shops like this deserve a spot on any Pennsylvania maker’s list. You get history, expert help, and a mountain of choices under one roof.

Leave a little room in your bag, because walking out with just one item seems wildly unlikely.