Christie C. “The best time to support small businesses is always today.” —
Gisele Barreto Fetterman
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
On January 15th, 2025, Jo-Ann filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, sealing the nail in the coffin for the 80 year old retailer.
If you live in the United States, you’re familiar with Jo-Ann as our big box fabrics and crafts store. It was a major retailer first opened by German immigrants Hilda and Berthold Reich, Sigmund and Mathilda Rohrbach, and Justin and Alma Zimmerman in 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio. It was originally named The Cleveland Fabric Shop, but changed its name to Jo-Ann Fabrics in 1963, combining the names of the daughters from both families: Joan and Jacqueline Ann.
Jo-Ann arrived during a time when it was quite common for families to stitch their own clothes together. In the 1940s, it was a necessary practice due to material shortages and rationing. People had to become quite creative with their materials and supplies in order to survive. One of my favorite examples is the use of flour sacks as a source of fabric.
The Do-It-Yourself necessity extended into the following decades for various reasons from economical needs post war in the 50s, to keeping up with fashion trends in the 60s, to alternative living and uprisings against societal norms in the 70s.
Jo-Ann swept up the competition, becoming the leading fabric retailer in the United States. So much so, in fact, that it is often the only game in town. Its closure is a massive blow to the crafting and sewing community.
Cactus Lady Creation has an incredible video about the ripple effect of our new reality. Even though I usually prefer to purchase my fabrics from small businesses and specialty shops, I still relied on Jo-Ann for economical fabrics, thread, needles, tools, and other supplies. Despite my “No-Buy season” (and I was nearly at the end), I did go to use up my gift cards and take advantage of their liquidation sale.
I made a point to purchase snap pliers, tons of needles, thread, and an assortment of buttons. As I lingered through the worn down isles filled with glittering beads, buttons, and appliqués, I honestly felt melancholy. These would be my final days at the store, connecting with the workers and other customers. I am heartbroken that I can no longer walk rows of fabrics, feel the quality, and gaze at the arts and crafts goods.
I as well as many others relied on this only game in town, and it makes me angry that stores that have a monopoly on materials can shatter a community when they go out of business.
What Happens Next?
Living in the States can be frustrating with its emphasis on big box conglomerates wiping away competition, variety, and quality. I expect fabric and notions to become far more expensive, especially with my country’s chaotic and irresponsible implementation of tariffs. So, what do we do next?
We should be determined to try the following:
- shop at local or small businesses
- cut back on spending
- opt for discounted fabrics
- use up current stash
- repurpose older clothes
Since my liquidation spree (and the deregulation of America’s economy), I’ve been determined to branch out of big box stores for my crafts. Despite our massive loss, I am optimistic that small businesses will have an opportunity to swoop in and reclaim their rightful place in the market…. Fingers crossed that tariffs don’t wipe them out of the market first. Collectively, we should support our local businesses. If there aren’t any in your area, there are still many wonderful small businesses that ship from their online stores.
Cutting back on spending is also a must. Holding on to what little coin we have will be imperative at this point. There is no telling how expensive fabric will become, nor how available it will be. Discounted or thrifted fabrics will be part of our new normal. Sheets and tablecloths may become our new bolts of fabric.
Despite not shopping as much, we can be more successful in tackling our stashes. We can shop our collections and get creative with what is available. I shopped my bloated stash for fabrics, olivewood buttons, vintage Czech glass buttons, and mother of pearl shell buttons, and was able to sew three gorgeous shirts that I wear nearly every week. Rough times does wonders for creativity.
Finally, we can repurpose older clothes and projects. Just how people of the past picked apart the seams and hems of older styles, and reused the fabrics to create something new, we can do the same today.
