Joann is closing
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Joann to shutter all 800 fabric stores after failing to find a buyer to save its locations
The craft retailer is shutting down after more than eight decades in business.
I should probably stay out of my local store. I have way more stuff in my yarn stash than I can reasonably use up. But I so love a bargain....
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Sharon is not happy about this. She’s taken up knitting and found a small local place for yarn, but doesn’t know where she’ll buy fabric when she sews.
Hobby Lobby is about the only place left and I’d rather not trade with them.
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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.
