JoAnn, We Love You

If you've not been living under a rock the past week, you'll know that as a result of the looming bankruptcy proceedings, JoAnn Fabric and Crafts has released a statement that they will be closing all 800 of its stores in 49 states.  The crafting community is reeling; Where will we shop for supplies? What brand will have as much variety as Joann's?  How will we continue crafting with the same fervor if we now need to source supplies from higher cost providers?  These questions and more have  in a lot of been surfacing rafter chatter forums.  But I'm not here to solve those problems right now reader, rather, I want to tell you what JoAnn means to me.  

As a person who's been crafty before crafting was cool, JoAnn has long been a place I've visited not only for craft supplies, but for inspiration.  Just walking down the aisles squeezing some hanks of yarn, running my hand through strings of colorful beads or satisfying my curiosity for what a unique fabric feels like -  is as close as it gets to a regular  spiritual experience for me.  When I've had a rough day, nothing is going right, and I'm just done with having to answer questions, JoAnn is the place I went to gain my sense of control back.  

The thought of losing JoAnn Fabrics feels like losing an old friend—one who has always been there, providing solace in the form of yards of fabric, jars of buttons, and shelves stacked high with colorful skeins of yarn. For many of us, it was more than just a store; it was a sanctuary where creativity flourished and where inspiration was always just an aisle away.

Walking through JoAnn’s doors was like stepping into a world where possibilities were endless. The smell of fresh fabric, the sight of bolts neatly lined up like books in a library, and the feel of textures between my fingers—it all created an experience that no online retailer could replicate. It wasn’t just about shopping; it was about imagining, planning, and creating. It was the place where the spark of an idea turned into a fully realized project.

For those of us who have relied on JoAnn for years, the news of its closure is not just inconvenient—it’s heartbreaking. While there are other places to buy fabric and craft supplies, none have quite the same blend of accessibility, affordability, and sheer variety that JoAnn offered. Big-box stores don’t have the depth of selection, and boutique craft shops, while wonderful, often come with higher prices that not everyone can afford.

So what now? The crafting community is resilient; we always have been. Maybe it means forming stronger connections with local craft shops, supporting small businesses, or finally diving into that fabric stash we've been hoarding for years. Perhaps it means more online ordering or finding new ways to swap supplies with fellow crafters. Whatever the solution, one thing is for certain—the spirit of crafting will live on, even if our beloved JoAnn Fabrics does not.

For now, though, I’ll take a slow walk through my local JoAnn, savoring every aisle, running my hands over every fabric bolt, and letting the nostalgia wash over me. Because when the doors finally close for good, I know that a piece of my crafting heart will close with them - but for now, What Happens at JoAnn Stays at JoAnn.