Quite a few well-known retailers that it once would have been hard to imagine life without have been forced to call it quits in the last year.
Perhaps the biggest of those names is Rite Aid, the drugstore chain that was originally founded as Thrift D Discount Center in 1962. Rite Aid declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2023 and then a second time in May 2025, and is now closing all its locations.
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Another one that’s strange to see go is Forever21, the fast fashion retailer that once dominated U.S. malls. Citing competition from competitors like Shein and Temu as part of its reason, Forever21 also declared bankruptcy twice and has since closed all its retail shops as well.
Maybe the saddest of these events was the news that longtime fabric and craft retailer Joann was declaring bankruptcy and shutting its doors. The retailer shuttered the last of its retail stores this past weekend after 82 years in business, sorely disappointing fans that have been loyal to the brand for decades.
Related: Huge bankrupt retail chain closing down all stores after 80 years
But it just might be that there’s more than a sad ending to this story.
A new message has appeared on Joann’s now-defunct website, and it’s worth checking out if you were one of the people disappointed by the chain’s closure.
Their brick and mortar presence is gone, but something new may replace it.
Image source: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Joann shares an intriguing message
After fully closing all of its store locations and its shopping website, Joann shared a hopeful message on joann.com.
“For generations, Joann has been honored to be a part of your creativity: your quilts, costumes, school projects, and handmade moments of love. It has been our joy to serve makers and dreamers across the country,” the message read.
Related: This retailer steps up after Joann, Party City bankruptcies
But the next line, highlighted in a different color to stand out, will be of interest to those who have really felt the loss of the craft retailer.
“We’re stitching something new behind the scenes and we can’t wait to share what’s next,” it read. “Stay tuned for exciting news about the future of Joann.”
Joann’s assets are currently under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Its brand name and website would be part of those court proceedings.
The Joann community reacts
While the message on Joann’s site seems like a hopeful one, not all the company’s fans took it that way.
Reddit user and former Joann employee BulbyRavenpuff shared a post on the Joann Fabrics subreddit addressing the message, titling it “I’m boycotting whatever comes next.”
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“I’m sure everyone has seen that message on the site by now. There have been plenty of posts about it. And I know, I understand, that it may be tempting to cling to hope that maybe it isn’t over,” they wrote. “This is a slap in the face to every employee who has put their blood, sweat, and tears into this company, who MADE IT WHAT IT IS.”
The post author went on to say that Joann had “four and a half months since the bankruptcy filing to figure out a damn plan and save at least some of the human cost,” but that instead, “They let us lose everything. Us, the people who without, they wouldn’t make a damn penny.”
Commenters in the thread either agreed or theorized on the meaning of the message.
“I’m torn on this, and its hard to speculate given that we don’t actually know anything,” user kittenmum said.
“GA and the previous Joann upper management that drove her into the ground won’t be a part of whatever this new thing is. If they have sold the Joann IP to a more ethical company and that group tries to do something useful with it, I would consider that a positive. Going to wait and see what this new thing is before making any decisions,” they posted.
Reddit user ame-foto also weighed in, saying, “It likely Joann themselves won’t be doing anything anymore. But more likely the Joann name and branding will be sold off as a continued part of the bankruptcy settlement.”
“Like how Overstock purchased Bed, Bath and Beyond and now operates under that name,” the user continued. “Or like how there’s sad Toys R Us is Macy’s. It’s likely that an investment firm will reopen as Joann’s online. Possibly in an even worse capacity.”
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