A Personal Reflection on Joann Fabrics and Its Legacy

Joann Fabrics is closing hundreds of locations after its second go-around with Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

At one point, it seemed Joann Fabrics would walk out quickly from bankruptcy quickly after being bought out by a private company, but then bankruptcy number two came a few short months later. But now, more than 500 locations in forty-nine states are being closed.

Joann Fabrics, like the closings of Red Lobster, hit home for all of us, including me. One of the locations they are closing, I used to visit every so often. The fact is, Joann Fabrics reminds me of my mom. In my case, I remember in 7^th grade Home Economics class, my teacher, Ms. Monet, required that we buy fabrics at Joann Fabrics. I forget what the project was for, but that’s when I first came across the company. So this dates back to 1985.

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My mom was a seamstress and worked from home. When things got tough financially, she went back to work. Since she could make anything, every so often I would visit Joanne Fabrics, pick some cool-looking fabrics and designs, and ask my mom to make me shorts or swim trunks. I remember one had sharks on them. I once asked her to make curtains for my bedroom.

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As I’ve gotten older, with 53 being two days away! Hold on, I have to stop and let that last statement sink in! Okay, I’m good now. But I guess it’s only natural to reflect with age, and Joann Fabrics is part of that natural process.

With the majority of my career in bankruptcy and related issues, I have seen the fast evolution of the business world we live in. Sometimes that makes me sit back and pause.

For example, Joann Fabrics was located near Dadeland Mall in Miami. It was located at a strip mall that also had Circuit City, where I had my car alarm installed for my 1990 Acura Integra. Down the street was the movie theater as a kid I always visited. For the record, while waiting to see Jaws on opening day, I was playing Asteroids and held the highest score for one month! Fast forward two decades, and that movie theater was torn down and surrounded by high-rise condominiums where I lived for a while.

But that just goes to show that things change, and sometimes faster than we are prepared for. So now, more than ever, as we get bombarded with misinformation, disinformation, and half-truths, it’s important to not only be informed but also be prepared financially.

Updated June 6, 2025

Michael’s has now purchased the intellectual property of Joann Fabrics.

Here is an updated list of which locations have been closed so far.

Updated Locations Subject to Closure:

1250 William D. Tate Ave., Grapevine, Texas 76051.

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Updated on June 26, 2025.