It happened faster than most people expected. One week you’re browsing the fleece aisle for a last-minute tie-blanket project, and the next, there’s a massive "Store Closing" sign taped to the front window. Honestly, for the regulars who frequented the Joann Fabrics Grand Forks ND location at 2781 32nd Ave S, the news felt like a punch to the gut. It wasn't just a store; it was the place where you could actually touch the cotton before buying it, which any quilter will tell you is non-negotiable.
But by early 2025, the writing was on the wall. The Grand Forks location became part of a massive wave of shutterings following the company's second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in less than a year.
What Actually Happened to the Grand Forks Store?
You've probably heard the rumors. People like to blame online shopping or the big-box hobby stores down the street, and while that's part of it, the reality is a bit more corporate. The parent company, Jo-Ann Stores, was drowning in debt—we're talking between $1 billion and $10 billion according to court documents. They tried to pivot. They tried to go private. They even tried a massive restructuring in 2024, but the math just didn't work out.
In February 2025, the news broke that the Joann Fabrics Grand Forks ND store was officially on the chopping block. It wasn't alone. In North Dakota, the Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot locations followed suit shortly after.
The liquidation sales were... well, they were chaotic. If you went in during those final weeks, you saw the "skeleton crew" everyone on Reddit had been whispering about for months. Employees who had been there for years were suddenly tasked with selling off the very shelves they used to stock. It was a weird, somber energy.
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The Problem With "Underperforming" Labels
Corporate offices love the word "underperforming." To them, the Grand Forks shop wasn't hitting the specific metrics needed to justify the lease on 32nd Ave South.
However, local makers saw it differently.
- The selection of flannel was actually pretty decent for the region.
- It was one of the few places where you could get a sewing machine serviced or ask a real human how to thread a serger.
- The "Cut Counter" was a social hub, even if the wait times occasionally made you want to pull your hair out.
Why Crafting in Grand Forks Feels Different Now
Losing a dedicated fabric store in a place like Grand Forks isn't like losing one in a big city. We have long winters. When it’s -20°C outside and the wind is howling across the Red River Valley, people craft. It’s a survival mechanism.
Without the Joann Fabrics Grand Forks ND storefront, the options have narrowed significantly. You basically have three choices left:
- The Big Box Route: You can head to Hobby Lobby or Walmart. They have fabric, sure, but the selection of high-end apparel fabric or specific quilting brands is often pretty thin.
- The Long Drive: Some folks are making the trek to smaller independent quilt shops in the surrounding towns, but that's a commitment when the roads are icy.
- The Online Gamble: Ordering online is the most common fallback, but it's risky. You can’t feel the "hand" of the fabric. You can't tell if that "navy blue" is actually a dark teal until it shows up at your door.
The "Death Spiral" of the In-Store Experience
Before the closure, many customers noticed a decline. It’s a phenomenon often called the "retail death spiral." To save money, corporate cuts staff. Because there’s no staff, the store gets messy. Because the store is messy, people stop coming. Then, corporate points to the low sales and says, "See? Nobody shops here anymore," and they close the doors.
In Grand Forks, this manifested as "processing" delays for curbside pickups and pallets of inventory sitting in the aisles because there weren't enough workers to put things away. It wasn't the fault of the local team; they were just stretched too thin.
Alternatives for Local Makers
If you’re still staring at an unfinished project and wondering where to go, you aren't totally out of luck. There are still some local gems if you know where to look.
The Quilt Essential in nearby towns or small local boutiques often carry higher-quality bolts than the chains. They might be pricier, but the expertise you get across the counter is worth the extra five bucks a yard.
Also, don't overlook thrift stores in the area. You’d be surprised how many pristine "stashes" of fabric from retired quilters end up at the Grand Forks thrift shops. It’s a bit of a treasure hunt, but it’s better for the planet and your wallet.
The Financial Reality of Joann’s Exit
By May 2025, the plan was to have almost every remaining store closed nationwide. The liquidation was handled by GA Global Partners. They were ruthless. Discounts started at 10-30% and quickly plummeted to 70-90% as they cleared out everything down to the fixtures.
Honestly, the most frustrating part for many was the gift card situation. Once the bankruptcy hit a certain stage, the window to use those cards slammed shut. A lot of people in Grand Forks were left holding plastic that was essentially worthless.
Moving Forward Without the Big Green Sign
The loss of Joann Fabrics Grand Forks ND is a reminder that "big box" doesn't always mean "permanent." The retail landscape is shifting, and for the crafting community, it means we have to be more intentional.
If you have a local independent shop you love, shop there now. Don't wait for a closing sale. These smaller businesses are the ones that actually keep the local crafting culture alive when the national chains decide the zip code isn't profitable enough anymore.
Next Steps for Grand Forks Crafters
Check your craft room for any Joann-branded items that might need specific parts, like machine bobbins or specialized feet, and source them online now while third-party stock is still available. If you're looking for community, join local Facebook groups like "Grand Forks Makers" or "ND Quilters" to find out about pop-up fabric swaps or garage sales. These grassroots exchanges are likely going to be the new "cut counter" for our area.