Joann Fabrics is closing down 545 stores in just days, marking one of the most heartbreaking moments for the crafting world.
After serving creative minds for more than 80 years, the beloved crafts and fabric chain is now in its final stretch of going-out-of-business sales. The decision comes after the company filed for bankruptcy twice in less than a year, unable to recover from the massive debt and decline in retail foot traffic. The focus keyphrase, Joann Fabrics closing down, has quickly become a sad reality for crafters across the country.
Founded in 1942 by German immigrants Hilda and Berthold Reich, Joann grew to be a household name in the fabric and DIY scene. It thrived through the 1980s with more than 800 locations and millions of loyal customers. But its downfall began gradually in the mid-2000s. With rising competition, weak sales, and growing debt, the company started to slip. Although Joann experienced a brief revival during the pandemic, that bump didn’t last. By March 2024, it filed for Chapter 11 and eliminated over $500 million in debt. The restructuring gave it a brief new life as a private company owned by creditors, but the struggle wasn’t over.
In January 2025, Joann filed for bankruptcy again. A month later, it announced that it would shut down 500 out of its 800 remaining stores. It was a last-ditch effort to reorganize and hopefully attract a buyer. That buyer never came. Now, Joann is liquidating completely. With 255 stores already closed in April, the final 545 locations will shutter by the end of May. All remaining stock is being sold off at discounts ranging from 20% to 50%, depending on the store and available inventory.
The emotional fallout has been real. Joann wasn’t just a store, it was a sanctuary for artists, hobbyists, and DIY fanatics. Research from Mintel shows that more than 25% of Americans who did any craft projects in the past year bought their supplies from Joann. That’s a huge portion of the population suddenly losing their go-to resource.
For shoppers like 73-year-old retired nurse Pat Cernansky, the closure feels personal. She told the Wall Street Journal that she’s not interested in switching to online shopping. “Am I going to go on Amazon? It’s a good thing I’m getting old because I don’t think I’m liking this new world,” she said. Others, like 57-year-old retired teacher Greg Alvino, echoed the sentiment. “You’ll be buying stuff and returning it unless you know what you want and you’ve seen it,” he said. For him, Joann was simply “easy” and had everything he needed in one place.
As Joann Fabrics prepares to close its doors for good, it joins a long list of iconic retail names that couldn’t keep up with the shifting landscape. Other brands that have struggled or gone bankrupt recently include Hooters, Forever 21, Quiksilver, Billabong, Volcom, Macy’s, and even WeightWatchers. The post-COVID retail space has been brutal, and legacy brands like Joann haven’t been able to keep up with changing habits, e-commerce dominance, and rising operating costs.
The process Joann is undergoing is part of a legal pathway designed to help companies offload debt. Through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, businesses like Joann can reorganize, cut losses, and attempt to stay open. But if the turnaround fails, like it did here, full liquidation becomes inevitable. Joann is now shutting down not as part of a plan to restart, but because there’s no other way forward.
It’s more than just a business story. This is the end of a cultural mainstay that empowered millions to create, design, sew, and decorate. As shoppers rush to snag final deals before their local Joann stores disappear, the grief is real. Whether it was the aisles of seasonal décor or the familiar feel of their fabric bolts, Joann Fabrics closing down is more than just the loss of a retailer, it’s the loss of a creative community space.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
