Honestly, it feels weird driving down State Route 364 lately. For years, that familiar green sign was a beacon for every DIY enthusiast in Ontario County. If you needed a specific shade of DMC floss or three yards of flannel for a last-minute baby quilt, Joann Fabrics Canandaigua NY was the spot.
But things changed fast.
By mid-2025, the doors at 3225 State Route 364 officially locked for the last time. It wasn't just a local thing, either. The entire company basically folded after a messy series of bankruptcy filings that left crafters across the country feeling pretty stranded.
What Actually Happened to the Canandaigua Store?
The decline of the Canandaigua location didn't happen overnight, but the end came with a bit of a gut punch. In early February 2025, the news broke that this specific store was on the "underperforming" list. It was part of a massive wave of closures—roughly 500 stores initially—aimed at saving the parent company.
👉 See also: How Did Elon Become Rich? What Most People Get Wrong
It didn't work.
By the end of February, the "right-sizing" plan turned into a full-scale liquidation. The store started those bittersweet "Everything Must Go" sales, where the shelves slowly thinned out until only the random, obscure notions were left. By May 30, 2025, the lights were out.
💡 You might also like: Healthcare Trust of America Inc: What Actually Happened to the REIT Giant
The reasons were a mix of corporate debt and shifting habits. People started buying their bulk fabric from online giants, and the rising costs of running a physical storefront in New York didn't help. Plus, the company had filed for Chapter 11 twice in a single year. You can only "restructure" so many times before the thread just snaps.
Where Everyone is Going Now
With Joann Fabrics Canandaigua NY gone, the local crafting scene has shifted. It’s a bit of a trek now depending on what you’re looking for.
- Michaels in Canandaigua: Located at the Roseland Center (320 Eastern Blvd), they’ve actually picked up some of the slack. Interestingly, Michaels bought Joann’s intellectual property and private labels. So, if you were a die-hard fan of certain Joann-exclusive fabric brands, you might actually see them popping up on Michaels’ shelves now.
- The Victor/Farmington Loop: A lot of folks are heading up to the Michaels in Victor or checking out the local shops in Naples.
- Independent Shops: This is the silver lining. Local quilters are leaning harder into small, independent quilt shops in the Finger Lakes region. They might not have the 50% off coupons every Sunday, but the quality is usually a step up.
The Reality of the "New" Crafting Landscape
Losing the Joann Fabrics in Canandaigua was more than just losing a store; it was a loss of that "cutting counter" culture. You know what I mean—standing in line with a bolt of fabric, chatting with the person behind you about their latest upholstery project or Halloween costume. That’s hard to replicate on a website.
If you still have gift cards or returns from the old store, unfortunately, that ship has sailed. Since the company liquidated, those credits basically became worthless once the physical locations closed in May 2025.
Actionable Next Steps for Local Crafters
Don't let your sewing machine gather dust just because the big store is gone. Here is how to pivot:
- Check Michaels for Joann Brands: Since they acquired the IP, look for your favorite "Joann" fabric lines to reappear there throughout 2026.
- Support Finger Lakes Independents: Visit the small boutiques in downtown Canandaigua or nearby Naples for specialized yarns and high-end textiles.
- Digital Patterns: If you used to browse the big pattern books at Joann, switch to sites like Creativebug (which Joann actually had a stake in) or Etsy for downloadable PDF patterns you can print at home.
- Community Groups: Join local Facebook groups like "Finger Lakes Crafters" to find out about local "stash swaps" where neighbors trade leftover fabric and supplies.