The national crafting chain Joann announced it would be closing its Anchorage and Juneau stores as part of a bankruptcy restructuring plan, leaving quilters and sewers in the city scrambling to stock up. About 300 locations will remain open, including Wasilla, Fairbanks, and Soldotna.
Longtime customers lamented the loss of their largest fabric store, citing affordability and quality as key factors. Fifty years ago, many Anchorage stores sold fabric, but options have dwindled since Sears, Wards, and Fred Meyer discontinued their fabric sections.
While Michaels Arts and Crafts and Walmart still carry fabric, shoppers say the supply is limited and of poorer quality compared to specialty stores like Seams Like Home in South Anchorage. Local quilters expressed concerns about losing a one-stop-shop for raw materials, leading some to shop online for more expensive alternatives.
Joann’s going-out-of-business sale began on Feb. 15, with returns and gift card purchases accepted until March 1. The company’s closure marks the end of an era in Anchorage, leaving quilters and sewers to adapt to a changing retail landscape.
Source: https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2025/02/15/joann-closure-deals-a-blow-to-anchorage-sewers-quilters-crafters-and-more