Irving, Texas-based craft store chain, Michaels, has acquired the intellectual property and private label brands of Joann, which filed for bankruptcy in January of this year. Over 800 Joann stores nationwide shut down at the end of last month.
Michaels has endeavored to expand its fabric and sewing assortment in select stores and online over the last several years. This acquisition will add several new brands in these categories to Michaels’ existing lines, as well as new threads, yarns, and sewing machines. Over 600 new products will be added in all.
“We’re honored to have the opportunity to welcome JOANN customers into our creative community and are committed to delivering the selection, value, and inspiration they are looking for at Michaels,” said David Boone, Chief Executive Officer at Michaels, in the press release. “This acquisition allows us to better serve both new and existing customers, respond to rising demand across categories, and build on our momentum as the destination for creating and celebrating in North America.”
Michaels will now carry Brother and Singer sewing machines, kits from DMC and Loops & Threads, Pellon interfacing, additional products from Clover, Fiskars, Coats & Clark, Velcro, and Oliso irons.
Over the summer, Michaels will begin selling an expanded collection of yarns from Red Heart, Bernat, and Lion Brand. The Joann in-house yarn brand, Big Twist, will be introduced into Michaels stores later this year.
In 2019, Michaels acquired the intellectual property and leases for up to 40 AC Moore stores when that craft chain store shut down. In 2016, Michaels acquired the intellectual property of Hancock Fabrics when that retailer filed for bankruptcy.
Abby Glassenberg
Co-founder
Abby co-founded Craft Industry Alliance and now serves as its president. She’s a sewing pattern designer, teacher, and journalist. She’s dedicated to creating an outstanding trade association for the crafts industry. Abby lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
But last month, Herrschner’s announced they will be selling the Big Twist Value label. Is this a conflict? Or will Herrschner’s and Michael’s simply divvy up the different Big Twist lines? Or did Herrschner’s get outfoxed by Michael’s? Questions abound!
Wondering the same thing
It’s already available at Herrschner’s, but it’s more expensive than it was.
I was in Michael’s yesterday in Rockwall Texas. My thought was how good the store looked and all of a sudden, I thought about JoAnn’s. My thought was how soon was Michael’s going to bring JoAnn’s in and I read this today. I’m very excited. I was really unhappy when JoAnn’s closed. One thing I didn’t like was the self check out. I felt like I was at Walmart!!! Not good!!! You are taking away customer service and human contact. Take it out please.
Where are they going to put all this. I like to see and feel fabric and buy by the yard so I hope they carry bolts of fabric.
I went to the Salem Mass store today where they have bolts of fabric. In the coming days I hope to see a designated cutting counter and an expanded fabric line
Excited for r this news.
I don’t like the self check out either and was extremely annoyed when the tried to force me to use it. I put my item down and walked out.
We need Fabrics IN all stores not online. Please.
We absolutely need instore fabrics and trim!
Thanks for the good news. Sorry to loose JoAnn but glad to be able to find fabric at Michaels!
I gasped at hearing fabric and pellon will be at Michael’s!!! LEt’s hope it’s true.
In TX Michaels has been selling fabric for several months.
Will Michael’s honor Joann gift cards?
Option to accept them if you spent so much money….
How soon will stores have new sewing products in stores, Omaha, NE?
Thank you and have a great day!
You didn’t use them up when you heard JoAnn was closing?
JoAnns didn’t let you use them during the close
And that can be purchased by whatever amt we need, not PRE- packaged fabrics and Pellons!
Selected stores? Will Lubbock TX be one of these stores. We do not have options other than Hobby Lobby which is not very big.
I hope our Michaels in Reno will have fabric. I really want to see what I am buying when it comes to fabric. My online fabric buying experiences have been mixed. Mostly disappointing. We really need a fabric store besides the quilt shops.
Michael’s needs to step it up if this is true. The acquisition of the other products of the stores mentioned didn’t make enough of a difference to make me go to Michael’s for my crafting needs. I certainly don’t see them becoming the “new Joann”. Stores are smaller and have never had a good product selection. This just forces us to shop on line for what we need and more stores will have to close!
What about fabric specifically made with the Joanne label. I used their flannel a lot.
Me too! I make a lot of baby blankets and Michaels’ current selection of flannel isn’t very good.
This is good news!!! However, at the Roseville CA location the Michael’s location is a high traffic corner that I find challenging. Inside this store is dark and crowded. I have not found it a space that inspires creativity. So in the past I have shopped at JoAnns and Hobby Lobby where the organization, lighting, cleanliness have been better. Hoping they move into the previous JoAnn store location. Overall this is promising
Will they be selling Joann exclusive fabric? They had some prints I cannot find anywhere else
Will be interesting to see how things go-stopped into local store to check it out and they had 1 small isle of fabric and they weren’t too exciting. There was a sign that said to go over to the framing department to get fabric cut. As I walked around I couldn’t imagine where/how they aren’t going to do this. Maybe they will have an area equal to what walmart had before their changes
When will we learn which stores in our area (Austin-Leander-Round rock) will be expanding to include more sewing items?
I hope it’ll be worth your time to build a store in Zanesville Ohio when Joannes was open we serviced about a seven county area and some of our draw was because we have a big community of doctors and a hospital here many time customers they have their doctors appointments they come see a Joannes store And then they would buy their groceries and go home. We desperately desperately need a fabric store in Zanesville.
Michael’s also got the right from one of the scrapbooking chains when they closed. I have seen some of their product lines in the current stores.
I’d have more confidence is their expansion into the sewing segment if the press release about the Joann IP acquisition didn’t have a bullet item about DMC and Loop & Thread needlearts kits under the header “Sewing”….it seems looking at that, that their PR folks at least don’t understand the distinction between sewing and needlearts.
I saw fabric at Michaels but they don’t have a big selection. I just hope the make space for more.
This is fine and dandy but I had approx 1 mile to drive to JoAnns. Now we in my area have to drive 75 miles one way to the nearest Michael’s! We have a TINY fabric dept at the local Walmart. 35 miles to Hobby Lobby and I think most know about shopping there!
Michaels prices are so much more than Joann’s plus there coupons are not good at all
What about fabric? My MIL makes quilts and Joann’s was one of the last places to get quality fabric. Hobby lobby has some but not the deals Joann’s had. Anyone have insight?
does anyone have a phone #for michaels craft stores
S’est quand vous vous établissez à Trois-Rivieres, Québec?
The two Michael’s near me don’t have room for more merchandise. They’ve never really been comparable to JoAnn, and their sales and coupons were far superior. Hobby Lobby will get my business now.
Well I hope we get some of the Joann’s yarn here in Canada.
Hope they relocate Michael stores into the closed Joanne store locations. Joanne’s was much more spacious, the lighting was incredible and miles were spread out. Michael stores ailes are too cramped up, the lighting is dim andthe floors are always dirty. It’s similar to the difference between shopping atTarget and Walmart. Makes for a better shopping experience. Michael’s stores are dated and need a serious revamp.
Will Michaels now sell fabric?
Does anyone know who will be making the place and time holiday storage boxes?