Joann to close about 500 fabric and craft stores nationwide. Here's where stores are closing.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: CBS News

LOCAL NEWS
Joann to close about 500 fabric and craft stores nationwide. Here's where stores are closing.

By Victoria D
Updated on: February 12, 2025 / 4:40 PM EST / CBS Boston

Fabric and crafts retailer Joann announced Wednesday it will be closing about 500 stores nationwide, almost a year after filing for bankruptcy.

The Hudson, Ohio-based company, which operates more than 800 stores, declared bankruptcy in March 2024 while reporting between $1 billion and $10 billion in debt. In court documents, the retailer blamed higher costs from shipping overseas products, as well as waning consumer demand.

At the time, they planned to keep stores open. But in January, the company began Chapter 11 proceedings to start a sale process.

"After carefully reviewing all available strategic paths to address our ongoing industry, economic and financial challenges, JOANN and its financial stakeholders determined that initiating a court-supervised sale process is the best course of action to maximize the value of the business," the company said in a statement. "Right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward for JOANN."

{snip}

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/boston/news/joann-fabric-store-closings/

[QED]

1. Whew! Mine isn't....

I do shop there on occasion.

[AmandaRuth]

14. both my stores are closing. Puyallup and Federal Way.

I wondered what was going on, patterns have been on sale for $1.99 for a while now, so I kind of thought something was up. This heartbreaking, you really do need to see most sewing supplies in person and touch.

[yellowdogintexas]

17. mine either. I do not shop there often but I don't want to see them close

Best place to buy notions around here. Sometimes I buy yarn but I actually order most of my yarn

[Alliepoo]

2. Dang! Doesn't look like there will be very many

Stores left open. They’re closing the ones close to me. This makes me sad. Joann has always been there. I don’t sew but I go there for crafts and to buy items for school projects for the grands and silk flowers and material to make fleece blankets and ribbons and other goodies. I can’t imagine Joann not being there. I refuse to go to hobby lobby. Won’t do it.

[PlanetBev]

8. I've never been to a Hobby Lobby

I also refuse. Maybe try Michael’s if there’s one near you.

[Alliepoo]

30. Good idea! There is a Michael's a few miles from my house.

I’ve been there a few times although it’s been a while. It’s a pretty nice store.

[yellowdogintexas]

18. No Hobby Lobby!!! I shop at Michael's or Joann's

otherwise I order yarn

[Rebl2]

26. The Michaels

I shop at started carrying fabric two or three years ago and seems like it has expanded in the last year. When I bought fabric many years ago, Joann’s was my go to.

[yellowdogintexas]

31. interestingly enough, all 3 of these stores are within rock throwing distance of one another

here in my section of FW.

[mwb970]

3. Once I discovered fabric.com, I never went to Joann again.

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. It's now owned by Amazon

But I agree. Brick and mortar stores just can't compete with what's offered online. COVID-19 was the final nail for in store shopping.

[Silver Gaia]

6. When was the last time you bought something there?

I tried to find it. Evidently, it doesn't exist anymore. Amazon bought it in 2022, so it has been moved there.

[mwb970]

9. It has been a few years, I must admit.

My point is that online shopping in general offers many advantages over driving to a store, parking, shopping, waiting in line, etc. Larger selection, customer reviews, liberal return policies, I think you know the list.

[Silver Gaia]

10. I buy MOST things online these days, but

fabric is different. See my post below for why.

[livetohike]

4. I sewed all of my own clothes back in the 60's.

Lots of good memories of going to Joann with friends to choose fabric. So many brick and mortar stores are gone now.

[LeftInTX]

24. I sewed my first outfit when I was 10

With the help of my mom. It was a simple a-line dress.
In HS, I sewed most of my clothes because I was so small and couldn't find anything my size. My mom even made a maxi coat for me.

I ditched my sewing machine years ago due to my bad back.

[Silver Gaia]

7. Damn. ALL the Sacramento area stores are closing.

And right when I was getting ready to start sewing for pleasure again!

Ordering fabric online is just not the same thing. If you know exactly what you want, like chintz or gabardine, that's different, but I like to FEEL the fabrics. The "hand" means a lot to me. How does it drape? How does it feel against my skin? I also love the remnant bins. I guess I will have to try to find somewhere else to shop for fabric. We have lots of ethnic stores in the area that also sell fabrics. That might be a place to start... but limited selection.

[sinkingfeeling]

13. I've only ordered fabric online one time. I was looking for a special blue ombre as

a background for an applique. When it arrived the colors weren't even close to what was shown online.

I agree, you have to touch fabric.

[Silver Gaia]

16. Yes, the eye is important, too.

Colors look different online than in real life. And if I am making a garment (I used to sew custom clothing), how am I supposed to match thread to fabric online? It can't be done, at least not to my satisfaction.

I guess the art of sewing is dying out. ☹️

[electric_blue68]

27. In my experience as an artist colors tend to be at least a bit more vivid when you view through a screen VS in person.

I notice it when looking at yarn on line, then sometimes seeing in the store.

It probably can apply at least somewhat to paints, and colored pencils when viewing them online like the art store Blick.

[Silver Gaia]

28. Yes. I agree!

A lot depends on the quality of the graphics card in your computer as well, and how good you are at adjusting its output.

[catchnrelease]

15. Same for SoCal

All of the stores down here appear to be closing too. And we just lost one of the larger independent stores---Piecemakers. They had tons of fabric, supplies, gave lots of craft/sewing classes etc. Unfortunately they were owned/run by a sort of religious group that got itself into legal trouble with some of it's followers, were sued and had to sell everything. So they're gone too.

We still have one independent that I know of M&L, but it's only one store and probably a half an hour drive from me. Like others here, I won't go into Hobby Lobby so I just wait for the bi annual sales at M&L.

[LeftInTX]

25. Wal-Mart has fabrics, but selection is limited.

They do have a pretty decent notions section.
Walmart is more "in a pinch" type source.

[IcyPeas]

11. Damnit.... Noooo

Just before covid the store near me closed their one story store and relocated to a new 2 story store. The timing was very unfortunate. It really competes with Michaels as far as their art and craft department. I'm really surprised this one is closing.

This makes me sad.

[TygrBright]

12. NOOooooo! We're losing ours, dammit! n/t

[radical noodle]

19. Ours is closing

I go there often, and will miss it. It is often cheaper to buy clothing that to make your own these days. The prices of patterns and fabrics is high, when there's a Beall's or an outlet store where you can get things at least as cheaply.

[Silver Gaia]

20. You know ... just search for "fabric stores in [your city, state]"... I came up with lots of them.

And the reviews on many of them said their prices were cheaper than JoAnn anyhow. I found a couple of stores I might check out this weekend. I want fabrics for clothing and costumes, not for crafts or quilting, and I may have found better sources for that than JoAnn anyway. I hope so!

[marigold20]

21. Mine is closing

It's a smaller store. It was always very clean and organized. We have a Hobby Lobby but I won't shop there. I'll be shopping from my stash, online, and the remaining Joann's which is 40 miles away. Very sad.

[Oopsie Daisy]

22. Awww. I hate buying fabric online.

There are six Joann stores within driving distance near me... Woodbridge, Falls Church, Fairfax, Greenbelt, Wheaton and Brandywine.

I think their "perpetual never ending sale" of overpriced junk (and cluttered stores) may have contributed to their downfall. There are a couple of independent fabric shops that may benefit from their departure from this area. I wonder if Michael's will benefit from this as well.

[area51]

23. My nearest Joann's is closing too.

I buy most of my yarn from them.

[artemisia1]

29. Last time I was in Joann's the inventory was so low or non-existent in some areas that it just as well as have been

closed. Sorry to see it go. Now the Hobby Lobby folks will have more money to spread their RW poison.