Photo: Madison Rogers
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Joann, the fabric and craft store, is closing 500 stores nationwide, including 19 locations in Massachusetts, the company announced Wednesday.
“It definitely really sucks,” said a local crafter.
The closures come as part of Joann’s bankruptcy proceedings.
“JOANN and its financial stakeholders determined that initiating a court-supervised sale process is the best course of action to maximize the value of the business,” the company said in a statement.
The announcement puts a spotlight on small business craft stores hoping to see more clientele, like Stitch House in Dorchester.
“There’s gonna be some strain on people who do these wonderful things,” said Annissa Essaibi George, owner of Stitch House and former Boston city councilor. “It reminds me how important my work is here.”
George said it’s a significant blow to the crafting community, which she said is very tight knit.
“Whether it’s a knitting circle or crochet circle or a sewing group, a quilting group, it is about the community that is created around that craft,” George said.
The Milford location was not on the chopping block, and will be the only Joann’s left in the state. It’s unclear when the other locations will close their doors for good.
WBZ’s Madison Rogers (@MadisonWBZ) reports.