Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch for the local Peninsula maker community. If you’ve driven down South El Camino Real lately hoping to grab a yard of Kona cotton or some last-minute interfacing, you already know the vibe has shifted. The Joanns San Mateo CA location at 1948 S El Camino Real is gone. It didn’t just move; it’s permanently closed.
For years, this spot was the "big box" reliable choice for anyone in San Mateo, Belmont, or Foster City who didn't want to trek all the way to the city or down to San Jose. But by mid-2025, the windows were papered over. The liquidation sales are long finished.
What happened to Joanns San Mateo CA?
It wasn’t just a "San Mateo problem." The parent company, Joann Inc., hit a wall. Hard. After years of struggling with debt and a massive shift in how people buy craft supplies, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again in early 2025. This time, it wasn't just a restructuring to keep the lights on. It was the end of the line for hundreds of stores.
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By May 31, 2025, the company shuttered its remaining 400+ locations across the country. The San Mateo store was part of those final waves of closures managed by GA Global Partners.
People in the neighborhood saw the writing on the wall months before the official "Closed" sign went up. Inventory started looking thin. The usual rows of fleece and seasonal decor felt picked over, and staffing levels were so low that the cutting counter wait times became legendary—in a bad way. There was even a moment in early 2025 where IT issues and staffing shortages caused the store to close its doors to the public a day earlier than expected, leaving locals frustrated and confused.
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Why this location was a big deal
San Mateo isn't exactly overflowing with massive fabric warehouses. Losing 1948 S El Camino Real meant losing:
- A convenient hub for local fashion students and costume designers.
- One of the few places in the mid-Peninsula with a decent selection of upholstery foam and heavy-duty trims.
- A physical spot to touch and feel fabric before committing to 10 yards of it.
The current state of the 1948 S El Camino Real site
Right now, the building is basically a shell. While some former Joann locations across California were snapped up by retailers like Burlington or Michaels, the San Mateo spot's future is still a bit up in the air.
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Local real estate in San Mateo is pricey. It’s always pricey. Because of its location on a major artery like El Camino Real, it’s prime territory for redevelopment. You've probably noticed the trend in the area: old retail blocks being converted into mixed-use housing or modern medical offices. Don't be surprised if the next time you look at that lot, there's a permit for a five-story apartment complex with "luxury" in the name.
Where do we go now?
Since Joanns San Mateo CA is no longer an option, you’re probably looking for alternatives. It's annoying, I know. You have to drive further or get comfortable with the "buy and pray" method of online shopping.
- Michaels (San Mateo/Daly City): Michaels actually bought some of Joann’s private label brands and intellectual property. If you’re looking for specific yarns or basic sewing notions that used to be Joann exclusives, check Michaels first. They’ve expanded their fabric and sewing sections significantly to capture the displaced "Joann people."
- Dharma Trading Co. (San Rafael): If you’re a serious dyer or quilter and don’t mind a bridge toll, this is a pilgrimage site.
- Piedmont Fabrics (Oakland): For those who want high-end apparel fabric and don't mind the trek across the Bay.
- Stone Mountain & Daughter Fabrics (Berkeley): Kinda the gold standard for independent fabric stores in the region.
- Beverly’s (Soquel/Monterey): A bit of a haul, but they still have that old-school craft store energy if you're heading south for a weekend.
Actionable steps for Peninsula crafters
Stop checking the old website. It’s a ghost town. Instead, do these three things to keep your projects moving:
- Audit your stash: Before you panic-buy online, see what you actually have. With the loss of a local big-box store, "shopping your closet" is suddenly very practical.
- Check Michaels for Joann brands: Look for the labels you used to love. Michaels is working hard to stock those specific threads and fabrics that Joann used to carry exclusively.
- Join local FB groups: "San Mateo County Crafters" or similar local groups are great for "destashing" events. When one person gives up on a quilt, someone else gets five yards of premium cotton for five bucks.
The loss of Joanns San Mateo CA marks the end of an era for South El Camino Real. It sucks for the employees who were there for years, and it sucks for the grandma who just needed a specific shade of bias tape on a Tuesday afternoon. But the community is still here; we’re just driving a little further to get our supplies.