Joann is closing
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I've never been a great fan of the stores, but that's my sentiment about most national chains. The ones up here were understaffed almost every time I was in store, and it was very difficult to get help. Not a store for quality quilting fabric (local quilt shops carry much better) I never had much reason to visit them.
I checked last week and all the stores in NH are closing.
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@Bernard - Last week they thought they still might find a buyer and were planning to close only about half the stores. Today they announced that they are closing down completely.
The only thing I buy there is yarn, and quite often I bought it online. The store inventory was usually pretty awful, and as you mentioned, it was always hard to find someone to help.
Michaels doesn't carry the yarns I like. But there are a number of online outlets where I can get some of my favorites.
Somehow I will survive!
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Joann’s is the only real craft store in town (though I still order most of my good art supplies through Dick Blick or Amazon).Walmart has some lower quality things, and Staples has a few things. It’s an hour plus drive over mountains or Amazon to get to another craft store now.
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Fall-out. Horrible news. Maybe more diehard sewers will learn pattern drafting.
It's angering that the FTC could not (would not?) see the ownership of all four companies as a monopoly.
Parent Company of the Big 4 Sewing Pattern Brands Sold to a Liquidator
(emphasis mine):
The legacy sewing pattern brands Simplicity, Butterick, McCalls, and Vogue, commonly referred to as the Big 4, have been sold to a liquidator.
The brands were owned by IG Design Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of stationery, crafts, party, and gift products based in the UK. On Friday, the company announced it had sold its US division, IG Design Group Americas (DGA), which owns the sewing pattern brands, to Hilco Capital, a liquidation firm. DGA also owns other craft brands, including Boye needles, Wrights trim, and Perler fusible beads, among others. Hilco has also been involved with liquidating Joann’s assets after it filed for bankruptcy in January.
IG Design Group cited the impact of tariffs imposed by the US as a factor. Over 50% of DGA’s products are manufactured in China, although the sewing patterns are made in the US. The company also mentioned a softening market over the last several years, as well as the bankruptcy of Joann, as factors in the sale.
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That's sad.
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I wonder how many people are sewing their own clothes. Most people seem to be doing non-clothes sewing, like quilts, drapes, even upholstery. We sewed almost all of our clothes when I was a kid, as did many other families. It was a creative outlet as much as a money saver.
I'm not sure if the change has to do with the rise of cheap clothing, fast fashion, or just lack of time. My kids would struggle to sew on a button.
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There is however a boom in making cosplay costumes.
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There is however a boom in making cosplay costumes.
@rustyfingers said in Joann is closing:
There is however a boom in making cosplay costumes.
That's true! One of my daughter's friends does that.
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I wonder how many people are sewing their own clothes. Most people seem to be doing non-clothes sewing, like quilts, drapes, even upholstery. We sewed almost all of our clothes when I was a kid, as did many other families. It was a creative outlet as much as a money saver.
I'm not sure if the change has to do with the rise of cheap clothing, fast fashion, or just lack of time. My kids would struggle to sew on a button.@Nina said in Joann is closing:
I'm not sure if the change has to do with the rise of cheap clothing, fast fashion, or just lack of time.
All the above, I suspect. And more... I wonder if it's still taught in high school? When I was in high school girls and boys could take home-ec class where sewing and cooking were taught. There was shop, which boys and girls could take that taught basic woodworking and metalworking. We even had drafting classes. In elementary school we were taught how to write cursive.
Having experienced these classes growing up it makes me sad to think that some young people don't have the opportunity. I made Christmas stockings for my siblings and a neck tie (70s bright colors) for myself. It was fun and extended school learning beyond the boundaries of solitary studying.
