Crafters across 49 states might want to stock up on supplies as Joann, the popular fabric and craft retailer, plans to shut down more than half of its U.S. stores.
The company confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday that it will be closing around 500 locations out of its approximately 850 stores nationwide. This announcement follows Joann's second bankruptcy filing in under a year, after initially filing and transitioning to a private company in March 2024.
In its statement, Joann emphasized its goal of optimizing its store presence:
"This was an incredibly tough decision, as we understand the significant impact it will have on our employees, loyal customers, and the communities we serve," the statement read. "Following a detailed evaluation of store performance and the company's long-term strategy, we have identified the locations that will continue to operate as usual."
Although Joann has not publicly shared an official list of store closures, court filings related to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy include 533 stores across 49 states slated for shutdown.
According to these legal documents, Hawaii is the only state unaffected by the closures.
Among the hardest-hit states in this first round of shutdowns are California, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, Washington, and Indiana.