The familiar scent of cedar shavings and bolts of polyester used to hit you the second you walked through the doors at 1379 Hooper Avenue. If you grew up in Ocean County, you probably spent at least one Saturday morning trailing behind a parent in the Joann Fabrics Toms River aisles, mesmerized by the rows of colorful spools and that weirdly specific mechanical hum of the fabric-cutting counter. It was a staple. A landmark.
But things changed fast.
Honestly, the retail world is brutal lately, and even the giants aren't safe. By early 2025, the news many crafters feared finally broke: Joann Inc. was shuttering all of its New Jersey locations, including our local haunt in Toms River. It wasn't just a "right-sizing" move like they’d tried before. This was the end of an era for the 11 remaining Jersey stores.
The Bankruptcy That Actually Stuck
The company had been teetering for a bit. You might remember they filed for Chapter 11 back in March 2024. They came out of that one as a private company, and for a minute, it felt like maybe they’d pull through. Then 2025 hit. By January, the company was back in court, and by February, the liquidators—specifically the GA Group—had won the bid for the assets.
Basically, they decided the inventory was worth more than the business itself.
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By May 31, 2025, the lights went out for good at the Toms River location. It’s kinda surreal to drive down Hooper Ave now and see that massive storefront empty. For decades, it was the go-to for everything from school project poster boards to high-end quilting cotton.
Why Did Joann Fabrics Toms River Close?
It wasn’t just one thing. It was a perfect storm. Most experts, like Professor Cait Lamberton, pointed out that these big-box craft stores have to carry massive, expensive inventories to keep us happy. We want 50 shades of blue yarn, right? Keeping all that in stock costs a fortune.
Then you’ve got:
- The Online Pivot: Let’s be real, the Joann website was always a bit clunky compared to modern e-commerce.
- Inflation: When the price of eggs goes up, people stop buying $40 wreath-making kits.
- The Pandemic Hangover: Everyone started sewing masks and knitting in 2020, but that surge didn't last forever.
Local regulars on Reddit often complained about the "skeleton crews" running the store toward the end. You'd see two people trying to manage a line of 15 customers while the computer system glitched out. It was a lot to ask of the staff, who honestly did their best under some pretty stressful corporate conditions.
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Where Are We Shopping Now?
If you're staring at a half-finished quilt and wondering where the heck to go, you aren't totally out of luck. Ocean County still has a few spots, though you might have to drive a bit further or change your habits.
Michaels (Toms River)
Located right nearby at 1342 Hooper Ave, Michaels has actually stepped up their fabric game. They started offering more cut-to-order fabrics once Joann's started fading. It's not the same selection—Joann was the king of variety—but for basic cottons and seasonal prints, it works.
Fabricated For You
This is a hidden gem at 1081 NJ-37. If you haven't been, it's a smaller, local shop that feels way more personal. They deal in yarn, fabric, and even embroidery machines. Plus, they support local makers, which is a nice "shop small" win for the community.
The "Old School" Alternatives
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- Stitch N Sew: Head over to Lakewood (123 E County Line Rd) if you're a serious quilter.
- Walmart: The Toms River Walmart still has a craft section, though it’s pretty bare-bones compared to what we’re used to.
- Estate Sales: Honestly? Toms River is a goldmine for estate sales. Check local listings on weekend mornings—you’d be shocked at the high-quality fabric "stashes" people leave behind.
Life After the Big Box
It's weirdly emotional when a store like this closes. It’s where people learned to sew their first hem or picked out the fabric for their prom dress. But the "death of retail" narrative is a bit dramatic. The community is just shifting.
You've probably noticed more people turning to Facebook Marketplace groups for "stash busting" swaps. It's less convenient than a midnight run to Joann's, but it's keeping the hobby alive in Ocean County.
Quick Facts for the Road:
- Address: 1379 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ (Permanently Closed).
- Final Sale Date: Operations ceased by May 31, 2025.
- Nearest Major Craft Store: Michaels, just down the road in the TJ Maxx Plaza.
What You Should Do Today
If you still have Joann gift cards, check their website immediately, though most were required to be used during the liquidation sales in early 2025. If you're a professional seamstress or tailor, now is the time to build a relationship with a wholesale supplier or a local boutique like Fabricated For You. Don't wait until you're out of thread in the middle of a project.
Support the smaller shops that are still standing. They don't have the massive corporate backing that Joann had, but they’re the ones keeping the "maker" culture alive in Toms River right now.