By Aliza Flug, Layout Editor and Social Media Manager
JOANN, formerly known as Joann Fabric and Crafts, was the largest fabric retailer in the United States at one point in time. That is why this winter, crafters, quilters and seamstresses across the US were saddened to learn that JOANN, which was founded in 1943, would be closing all of its almost 850 stores across 49 states. Although disappointing, the closing news wasn’t a surprise, as it had been obvious to many that JOANN struggled financially for quite some time.
In March 2024, JOANN filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which allows companies to remain in business while creating a plan to pay off their debts. The company tried to go private and continue to keep its stores open, but in January 2025, JOANN again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, this time with plans to auction off its remaining assets. The company later announced it would be sold to GA Group and the Prepetition Term Loan Agent. JOANN also said that these winning bidders would begin to shut down all operations and create closing sales in all store locations.
Sadly for consumers, JOANN’s competitors, Michael’s and Hobby Lobby, don’t carry the same extensive fabric collection as JOANN. Further, JOANN has provided a wide range of good quality, affordable fabrics, catering to those learning to sew in addition to advanced dressmakers, tailors and quilters. Additionally, many JOANN employees have sewing or art experience themselves and are able to assist customers in choosing the right fabric for their project, an attribute unique to JOANN.
Their frequent sales, coupons and ‘last chance’ fabric made sewing more accessible for everyone, especially beginners, who don’t want to invest lots of money into fabric used for practicing. Additionally, many small businesses rely on fabric from JOANN. A Good Housekeeping article noted that, unlike most other craft supplies, people prefer to purchase fabric in person, so they can feel its texture and see the true colors. This will be a lot harder to do after JOANN’s closure.
JOANN has been struggling financially for years, despite seeing a brief increase in business during the pandemic. The bankruptcy, however, resulted from “lasting challenges in the retail environment” in addition to the financial issues it had been dealing with previously. These included significant debt, a decrease in sales and slowed production, which further delayed sales and ultimately put the company $615 million in debt.
According to CNN Business, this post-pandemic shutdown was not uncommon, especially for businesses that hadn’t been doing well before the pandemic. A ‘shopping boom’ in 2020 helped companies get back on their feet, but it wasn’t enough to render them all debt free.
What is perhaps most disappointing is the large number of JOANN employees that will be put out of work. The company’s bankruptcy file listed approximately 19,000 employees to be laid off
On March 13, JOANN released a social media statement warning customers of scam websites. Websites with similar names and appearances such as joann-us.com (which has since been flagged for phishing) offered products at significant discounts. Despite JOANN’s website stating that after March 5, purchases could no longer be made online, customers unfortunately fell for these scams advertised on social media platforms.
As JOANN stores are closing across the United States, customers are stocking up on fabric, yarn and sewing supplies. Being a devoted JOANN customer myself, I know I will miss spending summer afternoons amongst its rainbow of fabric filled aisles. Without JOANN, I and many others probably would have never picked up a needle, sewed a button or hemmed a pair of pants.