If you’ve driven past the Conejo Valley Plaza lately, you’ve probably noticed a pretty big void. The Joann Fabrics Thousand Oaks location at 1516 N. Moorpark Road was a staple for decades. It was the kind of place where you’d walk in for one spool of thread and walk out two hours later with three yards of faux fur and a glue gun you didn't know you needed.
But the doors are locked. The "Going Out of Business" signs are gone because, well, the business is gone.
Honestly, the timeline of how it all went down was a bit of a rollercoaster for local crafters. For a minute there, it looked like our store was the lucky one. When the company first started flagging in early 2025, a bunch of Southern California locations like Simi Valley and Oxnard were immediately on the chopping block. Thousand Oaks? It wasn't on that initial list. We thought we were safe. Then, the other shoe dropped.
The 2025 Shutdown: Why Thousand Oaks Didn't Survive
By late February 2025, the news turned sour. After a second bankruptcy filing in less than a year, the company's assets were sold to GA Group and a team of lenders. The plan shifted from "closing some underperforming stores" to "closing everything." Every single one. By May 31, 2025, the lights went out for good at the Thousand Oaks spot.
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It wasn't just about bad management or "the internet." It was a perfect storm.
- Supply Chain Dry Spells: In court filings, Joann actually admitted they had a massive problem getting inventory. You can't sell fabric if the shelves are empty.
- The "Michaels" Effect: While Joann was struggling with debt, competitors were leaning into the digital space better.
- Bankruptcy Round Two: Filing for Chapter 11 twice in twelve months is usually a death knell for a retailer.
It's kinda sad. This wasn't just a shop; it was where people went to learn how to thread a bobbin without crying.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Closing
There's a common rumor that the Thousand Oaks store was doing fine and only closed because of the national corporate mess. That’s only half true. While the Moorpark Road location had a loyal following, the retail landscape in Ventura County is expensive. Rent in the Conejo Valley isn't exactly "starving artist" friendly.
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When the liquidation firm took over, they weren't looking at which store had the nicest staff or the best sewing classes. They were looking at the bottom line. Because the company couldn't find a buyer willing to keep the lights on as a "going concern," the only option left was to sell off the zippers and the batting and call it a day.
Where did all the stuff go?
When the store finally cleared out in late spring 2025, people were asking where those exclusive brands—like their special quilting cottons—ended up. Interestingly, Michaels actually swooped in and bought a bunch of Joann's private label brands and intellectual property. So, if you’re looking for that specific "Joann look," you might find remnants of it at the Michaels over on Ventura Blvd or in Simi.
Life After Joann: Where to Get Your Fix Now
So, you’re mid-project and you need three more yards of interfacing. What now? Honestly, the loss of the Joann Fabrics Thousand Oaks location left a massive hole in the local sewing scene.
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- Michaels (Thousand Oaks & Simi Valley): This is the obvious choice, but let’s be real: their fabric selection is... limited. They’ve expanded their sewing and quilting sections since Joann folded, but it’s not the same wall-to-wall textile heaven.
- Hobby Lobby (Thousand Oaks): Located just down the street, they have a decent fabric department. Just keep in mind they have different corporate hours (closed Sundays) and a very different vibe.
- Local Quilt Shops: If you want high-quality cotton and expert advice, places like Quilty Pleasures in Simi Valley or smaller boutiques in Ventura are your best bet. You’ll pay more than you did with a Joann 40% off coupon, but the quality is night and day.
- Online Alternatives: Websites like Spoonflower or even the now-bolstered Michaels online shop are where most of the old Moorpark Road regulars have migrated.
The End of an Era for Local Makers
It’s easy to dismiss a big-box store closing as "just another retail casualty." But for the Thousand Oaks community, it was a blow to the hobbyist culture. That store hosted classes that turned nervous beginners into competent seamstresses. It was a place where you could actually touch the fabric before buying it—something you just can't do on a screen.
The "Moorpark Road Joann" is officially a memory now. The building will eventually host something else—likely a gym or another furniture store—but for those of us who spent our Saturday mornings digging through the remnant bin, it’ll always be the fabric store.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you're still sitting on old Joann gift cards or store credit, check the Michaels website; while they bought the brands, they usually don't honor old Joann gift cards, so you'll likely need to write those off. For your next project, skip the big-box hunt and visit a local Ventura County independent quilt shop—they are the last ones keeping the "in-person" sewing tradition alive in our area.