If you’ve driven past a shopping center in Boardman or Columbus lately and noticed the familiar green Joann signage coming down, you aren't alone. It’s a weird sight. For decades, Joann was the undisputed king of Ohio’s craft scene. They were headquartered in Hudson, for crying out loud. But the Burlington Joann Ohio stores takeover is officially in full swing, and it's changing the face of Ohio retail faster than most of us expected.
Let’s be real. Nobody likes seeing a local staple go belly up. Seeing those "Everything Must Go" banners at your neighborhood Joann was a gut punch for a lot of folks who spent years roaming those aisles for the perfect upholstery fabric or a specific shade of yarn. But retail is a brutal game.
Burlington is moving fast. They aren't just dipping their toes in the water; they are diving headfirst into the real estate vacuum Joann left behind.
Why Burlington Jumped on These Leases
Burlington isn't playing around. While other retailers are shrinking their footprint and begging people to shop online, Burlington is actually growing. In 2024, they opened over 100 new stores. That's a lot of floor space.
When Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (for the second time in a year, mind you), they had to shed weight. Fast. By early 2025, it became clear that the craft giant wasn't just restructuring—they were winding down for good. This left hundreds of prime retail spots across the country wide open. Burlington snatched up 45 of those leases nationwide, and Ohio was a major piece of that puzzle.
Why Joann? Basically, it’s about the "bones" of the buildings. Joann stores usually sit in that "sweet spot" of square footage—roughly 25,000 to 35,000 square feet. That is exactly what a modern Burlington "small-format" store needs. It’s much cheaper to move into an existing shell than to build a new one from scratch.
The Boardman Move and Beyond
The most high-profile part of the Burlington Joann Ohio stores takeover happened in Boardman. Specifically, at the Shops at Boardman Park.
For years, Joann occupied a nearly 29,000-square-foot building at 441 Boardman Poland Road. When the bankruptcy court filings went public, it was revealed that Burlington agreed to assume that lease as of June 1, 2025. What makes this interesting—and kinda confusing for locals—is that Burlington already has a store just two miles down the road.
This suggests a few things:
- Burlington might be looking to upgrade their current space.
- They are aggressively blocking competitors from taking prime real estate.
- The location at the Shops at Boardman Park is simply too good to pass up.
It isn't just Boardman, though. Rumors and filings have pointed toward similar moves in Cincinnati and Columbus. Burlington is essentially cherry-picking the best-performing suburban locations that Joann spent 80 years scouting. It’s smart. It’s also a bit cold. But that’s business.
The End of an Era for Hudson’s Hometown Hero
It is hard to talk about this without mentioning Hudson, Ohio. Joann wasn't just another store; it was a local employer. Their 1.4 million-square-foot headquarters in Hudson was a landmark.
Now? That campus is being rebranded as the "Hudson District." It’s being carved up for industrial use, research and development, and more retail. When you see a company like Burlington take over the retail leases, it’s the final nail in the coffin for a brand that started in Ohio back in 1943.
Honestly, the retail landscape in 2026 feels like a game of Musical Chairs. When the music stopped for Joann, Burlington was the one with the quickest reflexes.
What This Means for Your Shopping Trip
If you’re a former Joann regular, you’re probably wondering where to go now. Burlington isn't going to sell you glitter and sewing machines. They sell clothes, home decor, and "deals."
For your craft fix, you’re basically looking at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. In fact, Hobby Lobby also grabbed a few of the Joann leases that Burlington didn't want. The market is consolidating. You’ve got fewer choices, but the players who are left are getting bigger.
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Burlington’s strategy is clear:
- Targeting "Power Centers": They want to be where the traffic already is.
- Small-Format Efficiency: They don't want those massive, 80,000-square-foot "Coat Factory" warehouses of the 90s. They want tight, organized stores.
- Rapid Turnaround: Most of these takeover locations are expected to be rebranded and open under the Burlington name within months of the lease transfers.
Is More Change Coming?
Probably.
CEO Michael O’Sullivan has been pretty vocal about Burlington's "off-price" model being resilient even when the economy gets shaky. By snagging Joann's leases, they are positioning themselves to be the dominant discount force in Ohio's suburbs.
But there’s a catch. Retail vacancies in the U.S. are sitting around 5% or 6%. Space is tight. Burlington is competing with brands like TJ Maxx, Ross, and even Boot Barn for these spots. Every time a Joann or a Big Lots closes, it’s a land grab.
What to Do Now
If you’re a regular shopper or someone living near one of these former Joann sites, here is the deal:
Watch the Signage: In places like Boardman, the transition is already visible. Expect grand openings to hit in late 2025 and early 2026.
Check Your Rewards: If you still have Joann gift cards, you're likely out of luck. The bankruptcy wind-down usually cuts those off pretty early in the process. If you find one in a junk drawer, it's basically a bookmark now.
Shift Your Shopping Habits: If you need fabric, start looking at local independent shops or the big-box survivors. The era of the Joann "mega-store" in Ohio is effectively over.
The Burlington Joann Ohio stores takeover isn't just about one company replacing another. It’s a signal that the way we shop in the Midwest is shifting. We’re moving away from specialized "category killers" like Joann and toward "treasure hunt" retailers like Burlington. It’s faster, it’s cheaper, and for better or worse, it’s the new normal for Ohio retail.
Keep an eye on your local shopping plaza. The storefronts you've known for twenty years are likely the next ones to change.
Next Steps for Ohio Shoppers:
Check the official Burlington "New Store Openings" tracker on their corporate site to see the exact grand opening dates for the Boardman and Columbus locations. If you're looking for craft supplies, download the Michaels or Hobby Lobby apps to track their "new location" announcements, as many are also expanding into former Joann territories.