If you’ve driven past the Eastchase Market Center lately, you’ve probably noticed a massive, quiet void where the bolts of flannel and aisles of multi-colored yarn used to live. It’s weird. For years, the Joann Fabrics Montgomery Alabama location at 7951 Eastchase Parkway was the "old reliable" for every local quilter, cosplayer, and last-minute school project parent.
Then, everything changed.
The signs went up, the discounts hit 90%, and by late April 2025, the doors locked for good. Honestly, it wasn't just a local thing—it was part of a massive, messy corporate collapse that saw the 80-year-old retailer vanish from the map entirely.
The Sudden Exit from Eastchase Parkway
The Montgomery store didn't just fade away; it was part of the "first wave" of closures after the company's second bankruptcy filing. While some stores in Hoover and Huntsville held on until the final May 31, 2025 deadline, Montgomery's liquidation moved fast.
People were shocked.
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One day you're using a 40% off coupon for some upholstery foam, and the next, GA Global Partners is selling off the actual metal shelving units. By the time 2026 rolled around, the space at 7951 Eastchase Pkwy was a ghost of its former self.
Why Joann Fabrics Montgomery Alabama Actually Closed
It’s easy to blame the internet, but the reality is way more complicated. It was a "perfect storm" of debt and bad timing.
- The Debt Mountain: The company was carrying over $600 million in debt.
- Supply Chain Messes: Remember when the shelves looked thin back in 2024? That wasn't just you—the company was struggling to pay suppliers, which led to inventory shortages.
- The "Second" Bankruptcy: They actually exited a bankruptcy in 2024 and thought they were fine. They weren't. High inflation and rising rents—especially in high-traffic areas like Eastchase—made the overhead impossible.
A lot of folks in Montgomery felt the sting specifically because our options for garment fabric are... well, slim. If you aren't looking for quilting cotton, your choices locally just plummeted.
Where Everyone is Shopping Now
Since the Joann Fabrics Montgomery Alabama shutdown, the "sewing circle" in town has fractured. Most people have migrated to a few specific spots, depending on what they're making.
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The Big Box Alternatives
For basic thread, zippers, and a limited selection of fabric, Hobby Lobby on Eastern Blvd and Michaels have picked up some of the slack. Michaels actually bought Joann's digital assets (like the customer list and website data), so if you're getting emails from Michaels now, that’s why.
Local Specialty Shops
If you need high-end stuff or actual expertise, you have to look a bit harder:
- The Sewing Room: Still a go-to for many.
- The Smocking Bird: Great for specific, high-quality projects.
- Wawak (Online): Ask any pro in Montgomery where they get their notions now, and they’ll probably say Wawak. It’s online-only, but the prices are basically what Joann’s used to be before the price hikes.
The Scams You Need to Avoid
Here is something nobody talks about: the "Ghost" websites.
Ever since the Montgomery store closed, there have been these weird Facebook ads and websites that look exactly like Joann. They promise "90% off clearance" or "warehouse closing sales" even though the stores are long gone. Do not click them. The real Joann.com is basically a redirect to Michaels now. Any site claiming to be a "Joann Liquidation Center" in 2026 is almost certainly a phishing scam. They’ll take your $30 for a sewing machine that doesn't exist and you'll never see that money again.
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What’s Next for the Eastchase Space?
Retail moves fast in Montgomery. While the Joann footprint was large, rumors have been swirling about what takes over. Burlington has already snapped up dozens of former Joann locations across the country, and other "discount-chic" retailers like Boot Barn or even expanded Five Below concepts have been eyeing these types of suburban footprints.
Moving Forward: Your Crafting Checklist
If you're still mourning the loss of the cutting counter, here’s how to pivot:
- Check your stash: Seriously, most of us bought enough during the liquidation to last through 2027.
- Support the locals: The smaller shops in Montgomery and the surrounding areas (like Prattville) need the foot traffic more than ever.
- Verify the URL: If you’re shopping for fabric online, stick to known entities like Mood, https://www.google.com/search?q=Fabric.com (through Amazon), or Spoonflower.
The era of big-box fabric in Montgomery might be over for now, but the community is still very much alive—it’s just moved to smaller shops and kitchen tables.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your old Joann gift cards—unfortunately, since the liquidation is complete, these are likely zero-value collectors' items now. If you're looking for specific garment fabrics you can no longer find in Montgomery, your best bet is to order "swatch sets" from online retailers like Mood Fabrics to feel the weight before you commit to a full yardage purchase.