Joann Fabrics going out of business
Feb. 26th, 2025 01:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithJoann Fabrics closing all locations—including Illinois stores
Weeks after announcing the closure of 500 stores, Joann Fabrics announced it will be closing all of its 800+ locations.
I am upset because that's the last big fabric store around here. All that's left will be a few specialty shops that I don't bother with because they're so limited and expensive. And I can't buy fabric without touching it. So that drastically limits the possibility of making clothes should commercial options become untenable.
I'm so frustrated with capitalism nowadays. It can't seem to keep things going anymore -- and the sector of affordable goods is getting hit really hard, as with the loss of Big Lots. You can't DIY if you can't source the base materials. >_<
EDIT 2/27/25 --oracne offers this Bluesky thread listing some alternative places to buy fabric.
I also suggested that people get together and form a cooperative to purchase fabric and distribute it. This would work at a college fashion or theatre department, other schools, craft clubs, etc. It will be easiest to set up before the Joanns all close, because then you can talk with other crafters at the store and attempt to network solutions.
Also it's a great time to start your own fabric store if that has been a dream -- get in now while you can grab a massive amount of market share.
Weeks after announcing the closure of 500 stores, Joann Fabrics announced it will be closing all of its 800+ locations.
I am upset because that's the last big fabric store around here. All that's left will be a few specialty shops that I don't bother with because they're so limited and expensive. And I can't buy fabric without touching it. So that drastically limits the possibility of making clothes should commercial options become untenable.
I'm so frustrated with capitalism nowadays. It can't seem to keep things going anymore -- and the sector of affordable goods is getting hit really hard, as with the loss of Big Lots. You can't DIY if you can't source the base materials. >_<
EDIT 2/27/25 --
oracne offers this Bluesky thread listing some alternative places to buy fabric.I also suggested that people get together and form a cooperative to purchase fabric and distribute it. This would work at a college fashion or theatre department, other schools, craft clubs, etc. It will be easiest to set up before the Joanns all close, because then you can talk with other crafters at the store and attempt to network solutions.
Also it's a great time to start your own fabric store if that has been a dream -- get in now while you can grab a massive amount of market share.
