The US craft retailer Joann announced in February that all 800 stores will be closing by the end of May. The news has left many customers, including small business owners and charity organizers, feeling frustrated and worried.
For Kelly Atchison and her mom, who own a handmade craft shop in rural Kansas, the closure of Joann’s local store is a significant blow. They rely on Joann for fabric and supplies, which are essential to their business. “It’s going to affect a lot of people, especially where we are in rural America,” Atchison said.
Joann was more than just a craft store – it was a community hub that sparked creativity and imagination. Carol Clemens, a retired graphic designer, remembered Joann as a place where people came together to share their love of crafting. “It is how we come together in a creative solidarity. It is a true loss,” she said.
The closure will also impact charity organizations and events that rely on Joann’s donations. Darlene Dresch, a real estate agent in Michigan, has been volunteering with an organization that makes comfort blankets for families who have lost loved ones. “Joann was the best place to get fabric at affordable prices,” she said.
The store’s closure is part of a larger trend towards online shopping and brick-and-mortar closures. While some customers may adapt to buying supplies online, many prefer the tactile experience of in-person shopping. As Katherine Mejia, a mother of toddlers, put it, “You need to feel it” when choosing fabrics or materials.
For small business owners like Atchison, the closure of Joann’s will have a ripple effect on their customers’ budgets and purchasing power. The shift towards online shopping is changing the way people shop for craft supplies, and some are lamenting the loss of this traditional experience.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/03/02/joann-fabric-closures-impacts-american-crafters/80690707007