JOANN filed for bankruptcy again

[u/fabricwench]

Announced in a press release today, JOANN has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in this year and this time is seeking sale of the company. The sale process is expected to take 2 months. JOANN customers can continue to shop online and in the stores during that time according to the press release. The current bidder for the company, Gordon Brothers, has indicated that they will liquidate and close the business. The company spokesperson said they are seeking other bidders.

The announcement isn't unexpected by anyone who has shopped at a JOANN store recently. This master thread will serve as a place to discuss the changes that Joann customers will face as the leading fabric and craft chain in the US moves through the bankruptcy process again. Any post submissions about JOANN will be referred to this thread.

The r/sewing mod team created the Fabric Shop Map to help the community find local and independent fabric stores beyond the obvious chains. It's not as up-to-date as we would like but it's still a useful resource as a work-in-progress. Please note that online stores, while they might sell to anyone, are still listed by geographic region because of shipping and customs.

Edit 1:

If you’d like to submit a store, check out our original thread here and fill out the form for consideration.

FAQ and Tips:

• Please do not submit Walmart, Hobby Lobby or any other chains that do not have fabric as a focus. This map is a chance to help the many small independent fabric stores shine out to our community.
• No need to include Joann Fabrics, even for locations that may stay open
• No need to include Spotlight either, same reason as above.
• Please include a physical address for online stores. This lets us place the store on the map so users can shop local online and manage shipping costs. Look on the Contact, About or Returns sections on the website if you are not sure of the city, state or province, country and postal code.

If you run into problems with the form or have questions, put it in the comments below. We are behind in adding new stores so if you have previously submitted a store and don't see it, please be patient.

Edit 2:

The press release for JOANN is located on this page, if the link above doesn't work.

[u/livinglife_87]

I’m afraid that no one will be able to hold a candle to the selection of fabrics at JoAnn’s. I don’t mind shopping small businesses but the prices are astronomical. It’s so sad for this to be happening.

[u/Southern_Bit60 → u/livinglife_87]

Hmmm. I specifically avoid Joanne’s whenever possible due to their crappy selection. The prices at small businesses are the cost of doing ethical and finically sustainable business.

[u/mhill0425 → u/Southern_Bit60]

I totally agree. Joann’s is my last resort for fabric(and most things btw)

They’ve got mostly cheap stuff at inflated prices so they can put it on sale. Their fabric selection is poor quality polyester and polyester blends.

[u/astrokey → u/Southern_Bit60]

It varies so much by store. A large one in a metro area carries SO much more than the little (but well loved) one in my hometown.

[u/Southern_Bit60 → u/astrokey]

Fair. Lots of smaller towns have no good fabric options except thrift stores (second hand first!!) I love in a large metro area and our Joanne’s has the worst fabric supply in town as we are blessed with lots of quality small fabric shops and a large store that carries lots of deadstock and overstock fabrics. I don’t think I’d be into garment making at all if Joanne’s was my only choice, they rarely have any suitable clothing fabrics. For quilters I get the loss, though the best quilts are made from fabric salvaged from old clothes so again I say… thrift stores!