House of Fabrics’ Loss Nearly Doubles in Quarter

House of Fabrics Inc., a Sherman Oaks-based chain of retail fabric stores, said its fiscal first-quarter loss about doubled from a year earlier, to $1.47 million, partially the effect of the weak economy in California and heavy competition.

For the three months ended April 30, sales skidded 10% from a year earlier, to $114.7 million from $128 million. House of Fabrics said the latest results excluded sales from its mall stores, which the company is discontinuing.

In the latest quarter, the company said, it lowered its operating expenses, including shaving nearly $1.3 million in general and administrative expenses compared with a year earlier. However, the company’s bottom line was hurt by sharply higher interest expenses from its large bank debt.