There is precision in every pattern, stitch and hem, yet the item that brings the final masterpiece to life is the fabric meticulously chosen to protagonize the design. However, this process of carefully handpicking materials has been interrupted, as all locations of JOANN Fabric and Crafts recently shut down due to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February, marking the end of a chapter.
What began as a single retail store founded in 1943 eventually stood as the nation’s largest fabric and craft retailer by 1998, running more than 850 stores around 49 states. The time-honored craft store had an all-time mission “to inspire the creative spirit in each of us — our customers and ourselves” by providing various fabrics where one’s imagination could become reality. It became everyone’s go-to store, where disappointment was not a word in their customers’ vocabulary.
The venerable Joann won a place in society as the ideal community for hobbyists, crafters and do-it-yourself fanatics. Customers did not solely shop; they connected with those who shared their same creative passions and methods of escaping the pressures of life. Even for people without that creative gene, Joann sparked inspiration and curiosity.
Joann’s bankruptcy speaks volumes of recent economic trends and shifts in consumer behavior. Every day, more and more shoppers purchase supplies from online stores due to convenience and accessibility, and in the process, they sabotage traditional stores’ chances to succeed. Joann began to face challenges with the rising number of online shoppers compared to in-person ones.
The company made efforts to incorporate e-commerce by introducing curbside pickup, but its competition was too advanced, with companies like Amazon offering the same products for cheaper and purchasable from the comfort of a couch. While the digital option seems more attainable, it lacks the sense of touch and feel when deciding what materials to purchase. This situation reflects the new truth of traditional in-person stores closing and being replaced by e-commerce. Joann simply wanted to keep the traditional beauty of making a day out of selecting the precise materials for a unique creation.
The upcoming closure will not just rid the world of wondrous shelves overflowing with vibrant supplies; it will vanish the aisles where people tended to their creative aspirations. A regular Joann customer and devoted crafter, Sarah Vincent, commented in her article, “I’m not just sad. I’m also not sure what the future holds for my hobbies — or for beginner crafters,” revealing the emotional toll crafters are experiencing due to this closure. It results in a tangible loss for current crafters and arising crafters.
