Joann Fabrics Plans To Close Lawrenceville Location

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Fabrics and crafts retailer Joann announced it will close 500 of its 800 stores, including six locations in New Jersey.

This comes after the company filed for bankruptcy for a second time last month.

These six locations also include the one in Lawrence Township. Joann is located in Mercer On One on Route 1.

The company said “right-sizing our store footprint” was a critical part of its efforts to ensure the best path forward.

“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,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

“A careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the Company determined which stores should remain operating as usual at this time. Right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward for JOANN.”

The 81-year-old Ohio-based retailer has identified the following New Jersey stores for closure:

• Mays Landing
• Succasunna
• Toms River
• Mount Laurel
• Deptford
• Lawrenceville

Last March, the retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and kept all of its stores open. At that time, the company said it had acquired $132 million in new funding, which it planned to use to reduce its debt by approximately $505 million.

Sales at Joann had slumped after a jump during the pandemic, when Americans were isolated in their homes and spent more money on sewing and craft supplies. Due to the subsequent inflation, many people had to cut back on their discretionary spending.

Subject to court approval, the company expects to begin going-out-of-business sales at impacted stores on Saturday, Feb. 15, and could continue for several months.

In the meantime, Joann stores and JOANN.com are open. Team Members are continuing to receive pay and benefits, the company said.

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