Major fabric store chain is closing stores, including in Macon, Warner Robins. Here’s why

The Macon and Warner Robins locations of national fabric chain JOANN are closing amid the company’s ongoing financial struggles, according to a Thursday announcement posted to the JOANN website.

The locations are among a dozen stores in Georgia that JOANN is closing. The crafts retailer first filed for bankruptcy in March 2024 and, according to media reports, exited that April as a private company owned by its creditors. But in January, JOANN began Chapter 11 proceedings to start a court-supervised sale process.

Thursday’s announcement said nearly 500 stores nationwide will close, although a timeline for when that will happen has not been released.

JOANN’s said it expects going out of business sales at the impacted stores to begin on Saturday, subject to court approval. Those sales could carry on for several months.

While the retailer ceased all sales of gift cards and certificates in January, purchases with gift cards and certificates can still be made in-store. They will not be accepted for online purchases.

“JOANN is committed to providing our customers – the sewists, quilters, crocheters, crafters and other creative enthusiasts we have served for more than 80 years – with great service and assortments and to supporting our thousands of Team Members across the nation throughout this process,” JOANN said in its announcement.