Joann Closing 500 Fabric and Craft Stores Across 49 States: Full List of Closures
Joann, the popular fabric and craft retailer, has announced plans to close approximately 500 of its stores in the United States, affecting crafters across 49 states. This decision comes after the company filed for bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year, following its initial filing and subsequent privatization in March 2024. The store closures are part of a larger effort by Joann to “right-size its store footprint,” as stated in an official company announcement.
Joann currently operates around 850 locations across the country, and the closures will impact more than half of these. While the company did not release an official public list of closures, court documents filed during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings revealed the specific locations. The documents indicate that 533 stores across the 49 affected states will be shut down, with the only state unaffected being Hawaii.
A Difficult Decision
In the company’s statement, fabrics expressed that the decision to close such a significant number of stores was not taken lightly. “This was a very difficult decision to make, given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members, our customers, and all of the communities we serve,” the statement reads. The closures are part of a strategic plan following a thorough analysis of store performance and each location’s long-term viability within the company’s future plans. The stores that will remain open are deemed to be better aligned with Joann’s future goals.
Major Impact Across Key States
The initial wave of closures will hit several states particularly hard, with some areas seeing a substantial number of store shutdowns. According to the court documents, California will lose 61 stores, followed by Florida with 36 closures. Other heavily affected states include Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, Washington, and Indiana. While some states will see only a few closures, others will lose dozens of stores, marking a significant reduction in Joann’s presence across the U.S.
The company did not release any specific details about the stores or regions that will be affected, but local customers are encouraged to keep an eye on further announcements and updates through official Joann channels and bankruptcy filings.
Future of Joann’s Store Footprint
The closures are part of Joann’s broader strategy to scale back its physical retail presence and focus more on its online operations. Like many other retailers, Joann has struggled with the challenges of maintaining a large brick-and-mortar network, especially amid changing shopping habits and the growing popularity of e-commerce. With the bankruptcy filing, the company hopes to reorganize and come out stronger, focusing on more profitable locations and growing its digital offerings.
Despite the closures, Joann assures customers that it is committed to maintaining service levels and supporting local communities where it operates. The company emphasized that the decision was made with careful consideration of each location’s future and its alignment with Joann’s long-term business goals.
A Shift in the Craft Retail Industry
The move by fabrics to close so many stores highlights a broader trend in the retail industry, where many chains are reevaluating their physical store footprints. Retailers are increasingly focusing on optimizing their operations to meet the demands of online shopping, a trend that has been accelerated by the pandemic. While this shift has helped some companies thrive, it has posed significant challenges for others, like Joann, which has a long history of serving crafters and hobbyists in person.
Despite the closures, Joann is not abandoning its loyal customer base. The company plans to continue providing craft supplies and fabrics through its remaining stores and its online platform, ensuring that crafters still have access to the materials they need. Whether shopping in-store or online, customers can expect a continued commitment to the high-quality products that Joann is known for.
What’s Next for Joann?
As Joann moves forward with its store closures, customers who have relied on the chain for their crafting needs will need to adapt. While some areas will see the loss of local Joann stores, the retailer will continue to serve customers through a reduced number of locations and its online platform. For those impacted by the closures, the remaining stores will still offer a wide range of fabrics, sewing supplies, and other craft materials.
Joann’s decision to close these stores marks a significant shift for the company, and it remains to be seen how this will impact its long-term future. However, with the increasing reliance on e-commerce and a more streamlined store network, fabrics is hoping to ensure its continued success and remain a key player in the fabric and craft retail space for years to come.
