If you’ve driven past your local shopping center lately and noticed the familiar green sign looking a bit dim, you aren't alone. For millions of quilters, cosplayers, and Sunday afternoon knitters, the question of when is Joann’s last day isn't just about a business closing—it’s the end of an era.
The short answer? For the vast majority of physical locations, that day has already come and gone. By May 31, 2025, Joann Fabric and Crafts officially shuttered its remaining brick-and-mortar stores across the United States.
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It happened fast. One minute there were rumors of a "Chapter 22" (that's industry lingo for a second bankruptcy filing within a year), and the next, the "Going Out of Business" banners were flapping in the wind. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for anyone who relies on getting their Kona Cotton or Singer needles in person.
The Timeline of the Shutdown
To understand how we got here, you have to look at the messy collapse of early 2025. Joann had already survived one bankruptcy in March 2024. They emerged from that one thinking they’d trimmed the fat. They were wrong.
By January 15, 2025, the company filed for Chapter 11 again. This time, the debt was just too heavy to carry. Initially, they tried to stay alive by closing about 500 of their 800 stores. The hope was to keep a "core" group of 300 stores open to satisfy the die-hard makers.
But things went south at the auction.
Why the 300-Store Plan Failed
The company looked for a "stalking horse" bidder—basically a buyer who would keep the lights on. Instead, the highest bidders were liquidation specialists like the GA Group. When liquidators win, the goal isn't to sell fabric; it's to sell the shelves, the registers, and every last scrap of fleece before locking the doors for good.
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- February 15, 2025: Official store closing sales began nationwide.
- February 28, 2025: This was the final cutoff for customers to use Joann gift cards. If you had a $50 balance on March 1st, it basically became a very expensive bookmark.
- March 5, 2025: The online store stopped taking new orders as the company pivoted entirely to clearing out physical inventory.
- May 31, 2025: The "hard" deadline. This was the final day for the last remaining stores to hand over their keys.
What Joann's Last Day Means for Your Craft Room
It’s weird to think about a world without Joann. They were around for 82 years. They started as a single shop in Cleveland back in 1943. Now, those massive 30,000-square-foot spaces are being turned into Spirit Halloweens or, in the case of a former spot in Portland, Maine, a Crunch Fitness.
If you're looking for where to go now, the landscape has shifted. Michaels actually stepped in and bought Joann’s intellectual property—their private label brands and "secret sauce" designs—for about $800,000.
Because of that, you’ll start seeing a lot more fabric at Michaels. They are launching "Knit and Sew" shops inside their existing stores to fill the void. It won't be the same as wandering through rows of 100% cotton bolts, but it's something.
Why Did It Actually Collapse?
Some people blame the "post-pandemic slump." During 2020, everyone was home sewing masks and learning to crochet. Sales spiked. Joann thought that was the new normal and stayed aggressive.
But then inflation hit. Shipping costs for fabric coming from overseas went through the roof. At the same time, customers had less "fun money" to spend on hobby projects.
The Supplier Crisis
There’s a detail many people missed: the "Trade Debt." By the time of the second filing, Joann owed its suppliers over $133 million. When you don't pay your bills, suppliers stop sending you yarn. Empty shelves are the kiss of death in retail. Customers would walk in, see a picked-over selection, and just order from Amazon or Missouri Star Quilt Co. instead.
What to Do With Your Old Joann Supplies
If you have Joann-branded sewing machines or tools, don't panic. While the stores are gone, many of the manufacturers who made those machines (like Singer or Brother) still provide support and parts.
Actionable Steps for Former Joann Shoppers:
- Check Michaels for Joann Brands: Since Michaels bought the IP, look for your favorite "Big 4" patterns or exclusive fabric lines to pop up there.
- Monitor Local Liquidations: Many of those old Joann buildings are still being emptied of fixtures. If you need a heavy-duty cutting table or display rack for your own studio, check local commercial auction sites.
- Find a Local Quilt Shop (LQS): Now is the time to support the small guys. They might be pricier than Joann's "40% off" coupons, but they offer the expertise that died when the big-box chain folded.
The finality of when is Joann’s last day has left a gap in the maker community. While the physical stores are a thing of the past as of mid-2025, the brands themselves are slowly being absorbed into other retailers. Keep your eyes on the Michaels "fabric expansion" if you're desperate for that specific Joann feel.
Check your local Michaels location to see if they’ve completed their "Knit and Sew" remodel yet, as most are expected to be fully stocked with former Joann-exclusive brands by early 2026.