Joann Fabrics closing 500 of its 850 US stores

[wgmiller]

If you have a Joann Fabrics near you and it's on the list of closing stores, it may be worth a look around. I know I've found items like Sulky thread at Joann in the past. They also have other items that may be of interest to a fly tyer such as storage, etc. Not sure what the sales look like, as the Joann near me isn't closing (yet).

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/12/joann-fabric-store-closings/78469056007/

 

[PennKev]

The last time I was in a Joann store around Halloween, it looked like they were on their last leg.

Maybe load up on foam sheets?

 

[dryflyguy]

I've bought a few Ott lights there, which have been great for tying

 

[Kms]

If you need sectioned plastic boxes (one, five or ten sections) Joann has these stackable, sturdy Everything Mary boxes for only $1.50 or less each.

 

[nfrechet]

oh my

 

[Bamboozle]

While I didn't really buy much fly tying related stuff, I do make things like rod tube covers, rod socks and other assorted pouches and bags and for that I will really miss Joann since the store I have been frequenting for decades is closing.

 

[wgmiller]

While I didn't really buy much fly tying related stuff, I do make things like rod tube covers, rod socks and other assorted pouches and bags and for that I will really miss Joann since the store I have been frequenting for decades is closing.

Looks like it was purchased by a private equity firm back in 2011 through a leveraged buyout. That usually spells the end for most businesses, but they seemed to hang on longer than most. It appears as though they did well through the pandemic, as people were looking for things to do at home. Once the dust settled after the pandemic was over, it appears inflation, reduced sales, debt, etc., all appeared to be too much. It's hard to believe that a smaller, leaner, more efficient company can't be created from the ashes of a once powerful one, but evidently that's not how business works.

https://www.privitas.com/leonard-greens-twice-bankrupt-joann-a-cautionary-tale

 

[salmo]

If you have a Joann Fabrics near you and it's on the list of closing stores, it may be worth a look around. I know I've found items like Sulky thread at Joann in the past. They also have other items that may be of interest to a fly tyer such as storage, etc. Not sure what the sales look like, as the Joann near me isn't closing (yet).

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/12/joann-fabric-store-closings/78469056007/

Holoshimmer is great. Bought a bunch in lots of colors over the years.

 

[dryflyguy]

Probably too much competition doomed them.
Besides Michaels craft store chain, Hobby Lobby came on the scene rather recently around here too

 

[wgmiller]

Probably too much competition doomed them.
Besides Michaels craft store chain, Hobby Lobby came on the scene rather recently around here too

Yeah, the craft store market definitely became competitive. AC Moore dropped out after Michaels started to grab market share. I'm sure the retail market for fabrics and the like is fairly limited, as in many ways I'm not sure how many people sew or work with fabrics anymore. To that end, I've even seen fabric departments in some Walmart stores.

 

[Bamboozle]

Probably too much competition doomed them.
Besides Michaels craft store chain, Hobby Lobby came on the scene rather recently around here too

Absolutely and like wgmiiler said, most Walmart stores have a "fabric" department that sells a lot of stuff a hack (like me) who makes things on a sewing machine can find for much less than Joann.

It's not the same, but the same goes for stationary. I haven't walked into or needed to walk into a Staples in years. I just go one aisle over from the fabrics/craft area in Walmart and buy my copy paper & other supplies on the same shopping trip.

 

[41FanForLife]

If you have a Joann Fabrics near you and it's on the list of closing stores, it may be worth a look around. I know I've found items like Sulky thread at Joann in the past. They also have other items that may be of interest to a fly tyer such as storage, etc. Not sure what the sales look like, as the Joann near me isn't closing (yet).

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/12/joann-fabric-store-closings/78469056007/

Mine is closing. Cranberry township PA. I went yesterday morning and bought a new pair of small scissors and some purple fine wire. 20 to 40 percent off there
Lots of people there buying

 

[wgmiller]

They definitely have Sulky thread, so if you can find that on sale, it makes nice ribbing and has other uses as well.

https://flyfishsd.com/products/sulk...L0hlRIeOUb9DvScWo-OYzESxsG5vWiCYaAu4xEALw_wcB

 

[salmo]

Mine is closing. Cranberry township PA. I went yesterday morning and bought a new pair of small scissors and some purple fine wire. 20 to 40 percent off there
Lots of people there buying

Don’t forget a wheeled cutting tool to make perfect strips of foam.

 

[Solitariolupo]

Just some stuff I have found in the past. Foam, yarns for dubbing, feathers, threads, Swiss straw, wire, fake fur, glo in the dark paint (can mix with uv), and if I can think of the others will post.

 

[Kms]

I went yesterday and discovered that for the items I wanted not only were the in store prices higher than the online prices, but that because the store was scheduled to close the store couldn’t price match the online prices. E.g the little storage boxes I posted above are $1.50 online, but $2.40 in the store. I passed on general principal.

Before the declared store closings, I could buy stuff online and pick up in the store. Now, even though the store has the items in stock, one can only purchase them in store at higher prices.

In short, I found no great bargains, but rather higher prices than one week ago.

 

[PennKev]

Don’t forget a wheeled cutting tool to make perfect strips of foam.

And/or get a cutting mat which can also be found at craft stores like Joann.

Actually, it's a great buy for anyone who is crafty or handy in any way. I use mine for all sorts of stuff, including cutting foam. A steel ruler and sharp, replaceable blade knife does a great job on foam.

 

[Bamboozle]

And/or get a cutting mat which can also be found at craft stores like Joann.

Actually, it's a great buy for anyone who is crafty or handy in any way. I use mine for all sorts of stuff, including cutting foam. A steel ruler and sharp, replaceable blade knife does a great job on foam.

Get yourself an AlumiCutter Ruler.

It beats the band versus a plain flat metal ruler for cutting.

 

[salmo]

And/or get a cutting mat which can also be found at craft stores like Joann.

Actually, it's a great buy for anyone who is crafty or handy in any way. I use mine for all sorts of stuff, including cutting foam. A steel ruler and sharp, replaceable blade knife does a great job on foam.

I have a cutting board and TSquare for nice long straight cuts.

 

[Kms]

I went again with my daughter yesterday to get her a crochet kit, and found that the Sulky metallic/metallized thread is actually priced ok at under $4 a spool, so if you need that it may be worth a visit. But other thread (Coats & Clark, etc) and glass seed beads and such are still cheaper elsewhere.