Business & Tech
A.C. Moore To Close Florida Stores
A.C. Moore announced it is closing all stores, including its Florida locations.
NEW JERSEY — A.C. Moore announced it is closing all stores, including its Florida locations. The chain, owned by Nicole Crafts, said Monday it has decided to "exit its retail operations" by closing all A.C. Moore stores "as part of a broader strategic plan."
The arts and crafts supplier operates four stores in Florida (see list below). Under the transition, as many as 40 A.C. Moore stores will become Michaels. The locations to become Michaels have not yet been named.
A Florida employee of the chain outside Miami told Patch she is hoping for the best.
Find out what's happening in Miamifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"We're OK. We're just hoping for the best, hoping we'll turn into Michaels," she explained.
Online orders ceased as of Monday and the company's website was unavailable on Tuesday. Previously placed orders will ship, the company said.
Find out what's happening in Miamifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Here are the Florida stores, according to website MyStore411.
- A.C. Moore - Weston Road Shopping Center in Davie 4458 Weston Road (954) 248-2724
- A.C. Moore - Emerald Place in Ft. Walton Beach 411 Mary Ester Cut-Off (850) 780-3993
- A.C. Moore - Oakleaf Town Center in Jacksonville 9515 Crosshill Blvd., Suite 109 (904) 203-1697
- AC Moore - Town Center at St. Lucie in Port St. Lucie 1725 NW St. Lucie West Blvd.(772) 206-3371
The closures are due to "headwinds facing many retailers," said Anthony Piperno, A.C. Moore CEO.
"For over 30 years, our stores have been servicing the creative community with a vast selection of art and craft materials, with one common focus, the customer," Piperno said. "Unfortunately, given the headwinds facing many retailers in today's environment, it made it very difficult for us to operate and compete on a national level."
Closing plans for specific A.C. Moore locations will be released in the upcoming weeks.
"We are looking forward to re-opening these stores under the Michaels name in 2020 and welcoming new team members," said Michaels CEO Mark Cosby.
The first A.C. Moore store opened in New Jersey in 1985.
Patch editor Anthony Bellano in New Jersey contributed to this report.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
