Some Massachusetts shops look ordinary from the sidewalk and then turn out to hold a small universe inside. This is one of them, a multi-floor fabric destination where bolts run from floor to ceiling and a single errand can easily stretch into an afternoon.
Sewists who came for one cushion fabric often leave with plans for curtains, pillows, and a reupholstered chair. Keep reading to learn where it is, what fills each floor, and how to make the most of a visit.
A Fabric Landmark on Market Street
Tucked into downtown Lynn, Zimman’s Inc sits at 80 Market St, Lynn, MA 01901, just a short drive north of Boston. Longtime shoppers still call it the old Zimman’s Dept Store, and the name fits the building’s size.
Officially, the business is listed as an interior designer. In practice, it works as a full-service fabric store, home furnishings showroom, and upholstery shop under one roof.
Massachusetts sewists, decorators, and weekend DIYers come here when the usual craft aisles fall short. The draw is simple: an enormous stock of decorative fabrics, plus people who know how to turn those fabrics into finished pieces.
For North Shore locals, it is the kind of place friends recommend quietly, almost like passing along a family recipe. For everyone else in the state, it is a worthwhile reason to point the car toward Lynn for a day.
Decades of Loyal Shoppers
Thirty years. That is how long some regulars have been shopping these floors, and a few have homes filled with its fabrics and trims.
Lifelong sewists describe it as the most consistent source for decorative fabrics and trims in Massachusetts. They admit some days are hit or miss when hunting one exact pattern, yet they keep returning.
Part of the loyalty comes from the business’s long run serving the Boston area. Generations have bought yardage here for bedding, window treatments, and small pillow projects.
One shopper might pick up a velvet silk remnant for a single cushion. Another might order many yards for an entire bedroom.
Staff members also build relationships over time, and returning customers sometimes ask for specific people by name. That continuity is rare in modern retail, where stores and faces change constantly.
Here, history is less a plaque on the wall and more a habit passed between friends and family.
Thousands of Bolts, Floor to Ceiling
Count the rolls if you dare. Shoppers estimate a couple thousand bolts on display, stacked floor to ceiling and wall to wall.
That scale changes the whole shopping experience. Instead of flipping through tiny swatch books, customers can see full lengths of fabric and judge a pattern at real size.
The selection covers silk, velvet, linen, historic patterns, and plenty of upholstery and drapery options. Fabrics are arranged by color group and type, which helps narrow a search.
Even so, first-timers often feel overwhelmed. Some make an initial trip just to browse and take photos, then come back later ready to buy.
Many describe the layout as a maze that is fun to explore. A popular line among fans is that if a fabric cannot be found here, it may not exist at all.
Bring a phone for pictures and plenty of patience for wandering.
Textures and Weaves Worth a Closer Look
Patterns grab attention first, but texture and weave are where this collection earns its reputation.
Shoppers point out surprising patterns and colors alongside rich textures and well-made weaves. High-quality upholstery and drapery fabrics make up a large share of the stock.
Designer-level home textiles are part of the mix too. Many people mention finding great values on high-end fabrics meant for curtains, pillows, and furniture.
For quilters and garment makers, it helps to know the focus leans toward home decorating. Still, the sheer range means creative sewists often find pieces that suit other projects.
Historic patterns stand out as a specialty. The store has even supplied fabrics and furnishings for films such as Little Women, which says a lot about the depth of its period styles.
Costume makers, preservation fans, and anyone restoring an older home may find this corner of the store especially rewarding.
The Basement Treasure Hunt
Don’t skip the stairs going down. Regulars insist the basement is one of the best parts of any trip.
Down there, shoppers find tons of cut foam for cushions and seating. That alone saves DIYers a separate stop at another supplier.
Fabric remnants fill the space as well. These shorter pieces can work nicely for throw pillows, small quilting accents, or test projects before committing to full yardage.
The lower level is also home to the custom fabrication shop, where upholstery work takes place. Seeing that studio up close gives customers a sense of how their furniture projects get done.
Bargain hunters tend to linger here longest. Remnants change over time, so each visit may turn up something different.
A smart plan is to start upstairs with a project in mind, then finish below to grab foam and look for remnant surprises.
Two Floors of Home Decor Upstairs
Fabric gets top billing, yet the upper floors tell a different story.
Two upstairs levels are dedicated to furnishings, rugs, lighting, and accessories. Shoppers describe the displays as stylish and full of treasures.
Fine furniture fills much of the space. It offers a nice break from fabric hunting and can spark ideas for pairing a new textile with a finished room.
Rugs add another reason to climb the stairs. People decorating a living room can look at floor coverings and upholstery fabrics in a single trip.
Lighting and decorative accessories round out the showroom. The overall effect works like a design idea board you can walk through.
Plan time for these floors, since many visitors say a couple of hours is reasonable for the whole building. Rushing past the upstairs means missing half of what makes the place special.
Custom Upholstery and Cushions
Picking fabric is only half the job. Turning it into a finished chair or cushion is where the in-house team steps in.
The shop handles reupholstery, custom window treatments, pillows, and cushions. Customers have brought in window seats, inherited benches, chairs, and sofas.
Results often impress. One shopper said a reupholstered chair looked better than expected, and another saw new life brought to an old family bench.
Timing can beat estimates too. A window seat cushion quoted at 10 to 12 weeks was finished in about four.
Experiences are not always perfect, and one sofa project led to complaints about finishing details and webbing. The business responded that it offered free pickup, delivery, and repair.
Note that repair work is done at the shop, not onsite. Asking clear questions about materials and warranty before ordering is always wise.
What Fabric Here Tends to Cost
Money matters, especially on big decorating jobs. Good news: many shoppers call the prices fair or reasonable for the quality.
One customer shopping for a window seat found attractive fabrics averaging roughly $30 to $50 per yard. Another store had quoted options well over $100 per yard.
Prices do vary across the store, so some fabrics land higher or lower. Not everyone agrees on value either, and a few people find the prices steep.
Designer-level home fabrics at good values remain a common theme. The remnant area downstairs can stretch a budget further for smaller projects.
For those who cannot make the drive, online purchasing is available too. That said, seeing full bolts in person helps avoid costly mistakes on color and scale.
Setting a per-yard limit before arriving keeps the excitement in check.
Hours, Parking, and Downtown Extras
Timing a visit is easy. The store opens Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and stays closed on Sundays.
Arriving near opening gives the most time to explore all the floors without feeling rushed. Weekday mornings may suit anyone who wants a calmer browse.
Parking is generally described as easy. Accessible paid parking sits close by, which helps when hauling heavy bolts or foam.
Downtown Lynn adds a bonus. Shoppers mention good spots nearby for coffee or a meal, which turns a fabric errand into a relaxed outing.
Since the building is large, comfortable shoes are a smart choice. So is a tote for small purchases.
Check the website before heading out for any updates. A little planning makes the whole trip smoother from parking spot to checkout.
Worth the Drive from Anywhere in the State
Some shops serve a purpose. Others become part of how people decorate their lives, and this one leans firmly toward the second group.
The appeal is clear. Thousands of bolts, a basement full of foam and remnants, two floors of furniture and decor, and a workroom ready to finish projects.
It suits upholstery beginners, seasoned sewists, interior design fans, costume makers, and anyone restoring an older home. People who dislike fabric shopping have even found it enjoyable.
Expect to feel overwhelmed at first. Many shoppers treat the first trip as a scouting mission and return later with a clearer plan.
For Massachusetts residents, the real reward is knowing about it. Plenty of people drive past Lynn without realizing a textile wonderland waits on Market Street.
Bring measurements, an open mind, and a free afternoon, then let the bolts do the talking.
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