Joann Fabrics Is Closing 500 Stores. How Many Are Left?
Joann, a national chain of craft and fabric stores where crafters can find any project their heart desires, has announced plans to close over 500 locations across 49 states. This decision comes as part of a broader restructuring effort following the company’s bankruptcy filing. Over 800 Joann stores are currently open, so with these closures, there will be around 300 stores left.
“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,” Joann said in a statement. “A careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the company determined which stores should remain operating as usual at this time.” The closures are part of an effort to “right-size its store footprint,” allowing the company to focus on its stronger-performing locations.
Which locations are closing?
Court documents list 533 locations across the country that are set to close. Some states will be hit harder than others, with California, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, Washington and Indiana seeing the largest number of closures. You can find a full listing of which stores will be closing here.
Why is Joann closing?
Joann has been a go-to destination for crafting supplies, holiday decorations and home projects for many longtime customers. But like many retailers, Joann has struggled to adapt to changing shopping habits, especially as online competitors continue to grow. The company initially went private in March 2024, only to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again in early 2025.
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The history of Joann
Joann’s story dates back to 1943, when two German immigrant families, the Reichs and the Rohrbachs, opened the Cleveland Fabric Shop in Cleveland, Ohio. As the business grew, the store eventually rebranded as Jo Ann Fabrics in 1963, a name inspired by a combination of the daughters’ names from the founding families, Joan and Jacqueline Ann.
The company continued to expand over the decades, becoming a publicly traded company in 1969 under the name Fabri Centers of America Inc. By 1994, Joann had acquired Cloth World, adding 342 stores to its growing empire. A few years later, in 1998, the company changed its name to Jo Ann Stores Inc. and acquired House of Fabrics, further cementing its place as a major player in the fabric and craft retail industry.
Joann saw leadership changes in the 2000s, with various CEOs guiding the company through acquisitions, market changes and financial struggles. The business shifted hands in 2010 when private equity firm Leonard Green and Partners acquired Joann for $1.6 billion, taking it off the stock market. It briefly returned as a public company in 2021 but continued to face financial challenges. Like many businesses, Joann saw a surge in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people took up crafting at home to pass the time. However, the company also faced criticism for keeping stores open and resisting paid sick leave policies for employees.
Despite efforts to modernize, including a rebranding to “Joann” in 2018 and investments in online sales, the company struggled to maintain a loyal customer base with all of its competition. A delisting from Nasdaq in 2024 was a significant financial blow, leading to the bankruptcy restructuring efforts now underway. After the closures, only around 300 stores will be left open around the country.
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