Walk down Amador Plaza Road these days and things feel a little different. If you were looking for that familiar green sign, you might have noticed the parking lot at 7177 Amador Plaza Road looks a lot emptier than it used to. For years, the Joann Fabric in Dublin CA was the absolute heartbeat of the local Tri-Valley crafting scene. It wasn’t just a store; it was where you went when your sewing machine jammed at 8:00 PM or when you realized you were exactly four yards short of tulle for a last-minute prom dress.
But things changed fast.
Honestly, the retail landscape shifted under our feet. After a rocky couple of years involving multiple bankruptcy filings and a massive corporate restructuring, the Dublin location—along with hundreds of others across the country—faced a reality that no amount of glitter or discounted fleece could fix. By mid-2025, the "Going Out of Business" signs weren't just a rumor. They were the real deal.
Why the Joann Fabric in Dublin CA Finally Closed
It’s kinda wild to think about how a giant like Joann could just vanish from a busy hub like Dublin. Most people point to the pandemic-era boom that couldn't last. Remember when everyone was sewing masks and suddenly every suburban dad was a DIY expert? Sales spiked, sure. But once the world opened back up, the overhead of those massive "big box" stores became a nightmare.
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Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice in less than a year. The first time, in early 2024, they tried to keep the lights on. They told us everything was fine. "Business as usual," they said. But by January 2025, the debt was just too heavy. The Dublin store was officially added to the closure lists that spring. By May 31, 2025, the doors at the Amador Plaza location were locked for good.
You’ve probably heard that Michaels ended up buying a lot of Joann's private brands. That’s true. Brands like Pop! and some of their exclusive fabric lines are now sitting on Michaels' shelves. But for the regulars who frequented the Dublin shop, a new brand of yarn at a different store doesn't really replace the community vibe of the old classroom space.
Life After the Closure: Where Dublin Crafters Go Now
If you’re standing in the middle of Dublin right now with a half-finished quilt and a sense of dread, you aren't totally out of luck. The East Bay still has some pockets of creativity, even if the "big green giant" is gone.
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Basically, the community has split up. Some people have migrated over to the Michaels in the Retail Center on Dublin Blvd. It’s fine for basics—glue, frames, some yarn—but if you’re a serious garment sewist, it can feel a bit thin. Michaels has tried to beef up their fabric section to catch the "Joann refugees," but it’s not quite the same 10,000-square-foot textile heaven we used to have.
For the real-deal fabric junkies, the drive has gotten a bit longer:
- In Between Stitches in Livermore is a local favorite for quilters. It’s boutique, it’s friendly, and they actually know what they’re talking about when it comes to thread tension.
- Discount Fabrics in Berkeley is the "wild card" option. It’s a trek, but if you need high-end upholstery or weird remnants, it's worth the bridge traffic.
- The Lucky Garden right here in Dublin is great for hydroponics and specific craft-adjacent hobbies, though they won't help you hem a pair of pants.
The Loss of the "Creator’s Studio"
One of the biggest bummers about the Joann Fabric in Dublin CA shutting down was the loss of the classes. That store had a dedicated classroom space. You could sign up for a "Sewing 101" class for about $40 and actually have a human being show you how to thread a bobbin without crying.
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There was a lot of drama behind the scenes with those classes, though. I’ve talked to former instructors who mentioned that Joann started capping pay at around $25 for a two-and-a-half-hour session. That’s barely minimum wage when you factor in prep time. It’s no wonder the quality of classes started to dip before the store even closed. Now, most of that "hands-on" learning has moved to YouTube or private studios in Pleasanton and San Ramon.
What’s Next for the 7177 Amador Plaza Road Space?
As of early 2026, the building that housed Joann is in that weird "retail limbo." Because it’s a large footprint in a prime spot near the 580/680 interchange, it won't stay empty forever. Rumors have been flying about everything from a new gym to a furniture showroom.
The reality of 2026 retail is that these massive hobby stores are becoming a rarity. We’re seeing a shift toward smaller, specialized boutiques or total reliance on online giants. It's efficient, sure, but you can't exactly "feel the hand" of a fabric through a MacBook screen.
Actionable Insights for Local Crafters:
If you’re still mourning the loss of your local hub, here is how to navigate the new landscape:
- Check Michaels for Rewards: Since Michaels bought Joann’s IP, your old Joann habits might actually earn you points there now.
- Join the Tri-Valley Quilt Guild: This is the best way to find out where the "secret" fabric stashes are. These women know every independent shop within a 50-mile radius.
- Support Small in Livermore: Take the 15-minute drive to Livermore’s independent shops. They need the foot traffic more than ever now that the big-box competition is gone.
- Use Digital Swatch Services: If you have to shop online, use sites that offer $1 or $2 swatches. Don't guess on the color of a "navy" linen; it’s never what it looks like on the screen.
The era of the Joann Fabric in Dublin CA might be over, but the community hasn't stopped making things. We just have to be a little more intentional about where we find our inspiration.