Abdelrahman
Joann Announces Store Closures and Going-Out-of-Business Sales in Western New York
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The crafting and fabric retailer Joann has revealed plans to shut down hundreds of its stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time within a year. The process will kick off as early as Saturday, with liquidation sales beginning at select locations — notably six stores in Western New York.
Following a recent court ruling, Joann has received approval to close approximately 533 of its 800 U.S. locations. This decision is expected to significantly impact various communities across the nation.
The states facing the highest number of store closures include California (61), Florida (36), Pennsylvania (33), Ohio (33), and Michigan (33). New York follows closely behind, set to lose 24 stores, with a quarter of those located in the Western New York area. The specific locations that will be affected include:
- 1551 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, NY 14228
- 3540 McKinley Parkway, Blasdell, NY 14219
- 318 E Fairmount Ave., Room 106, Lakewood, NY 14750
- 2429 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304
- 2503B West State St., Olean, NY 14760
- 4101 Transit Road, Suite 1, Williamsville, NY 14221
In a statement to The Associated Press, the company expressed, "This was a very difficult decision to make, given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members, our customers and all of the communities we serve. However, right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward."
Joann anticipates that closures will occur over the coming months, though some stores may shut down sooner or later than expected. The precise number of employees affected by this announcement remains uncertain.
Founded in 1943 with a single store in Cleveland, Joann has evolved into a national retail chain. Originally named Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the company rebranded itself to "Joann" in celebration of its 75th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its history.
