If you’ve driven past the Irongate Mall lately hoping to grab a few yards of fleece or some embroidery floss, you’ve probably noticed the lights are out. It’s a bummer. For years, Joann Fabrics Hibbing MN was basically the heartbeat of the local crafting community. Whether you were a hardcore quilter or just someone trying to DIY a last-minute Halloween costume, that store at 990 W 41st St was the go-to spot.
But honestly, the situation changed fast. By early 2025, the Hibbing location officially landed on the "permanent closure" list. It wasn't just a local thing, either. It was part of a massive, nationwide "right-sizing" effort by the parent company.
What Really Happened with Joann Fabrics Hibbing MN
So, why did we lose our Joann’s? It wasn't just because people stopped sewing. It’s way more complicated than that. In early 2024, Joann Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They actually managed to emerge from that pretty quickly as a private company, but the financial "breathing room" didn't last long.
By January 2025, they were back in bankruptcy court for the second time in a single year.
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This second filing was the "big one." The company announced it would be shuttering over 500 of its 800 stores across the country. Hibbing was one of 12 Minnesota locations to get the axe. Other nearby casualties included the Bemidji store in the Paul Bunyan Mall. Basically, if a store wasn't hitting specific profit margins or if the lease terms didn't make sense in a post-pandemic economy, it was gone.
The Hibbing store specifically struggled with the same stuff many rural retail spots face: lower foot traffic and the high cost of keeping a massive inventory of bolts of fabric that might sit on a shelf for months.
The Local Impact on the Iron Range
For folks in Hibbing, Chisholm, and the surrounding Range, this closure is a huge headache. It’s not just about the loss of jobs—though that sucks for the local staff who were always super helpful—it’s about the "creative desert" it leaves behind.
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If you’re halfway through a quilting project and run out of a specific Kona Cotton color, you can’t just "pop over" to Joann’s anymore. You've now got to drive to Duluth or start praying that the color looks the same on your computer screen as it does in person.
Where to get supplies in Hibbing now
Luckily, we aren't totally stranded. While we don't have a giant "one-stop-shop" like Joann anymore, there are a few local spots keeping the pilot light on for creators:
- Viking Village Sewing Center: Located downtown at 214 E Howard St. They are absolute pros when it comes to sewing machines and specific accessories. If your machine is acting up, this is where you go.
- Borealis Art Guild: Also on Howard Street. They focus more on fine arts—paints, canvases, and classes—but they are a vital part of the local scene.
- Walmart Supercenter: It’s right there on Highway 169. They have the basics like Red Heart yarn, some Waverly fabric cuts, and Cricut supplies, but let’s be real: it’s not the same as browsing the aisles at Joann.
- SoHo Arts: A great spot to support local artists and pick up unique items, though their supply section is more curated and smaller.
Managing the "New Normal" for Iron Range Crafters
It's kinda frustrating to have to change how you work, but Hibbing crafters are nothing if not resourceful. The biggest shift is going to be moving toward online ordering or making "supply runs" to the Duluth Joann Fabrics location (which, as of now, remained on the "keep open" list during the 2025 restructuring).
If you’re ordering online, one pro tip: try to buy your "notions"—things like zippers, thread, and buttons—in bulk. Shipping costs on a single $2 zipper will kill your project budget.
Actionable Steps for Displaced Shoppers
- Check your Gift Cards: If you still have a Joann gift card, use it on their website immediately. During bankruptcy proceedings, stores often stop accepting them after a very short grace period (sometimes as little as 14 days after a court ruling).
- Support the Local Guilds: Join the Borealis Art Guild or local quilting circles. These groups often organize "fabric swaps" or bulk orders that can save you a trip to Duluth.
- Inventory Your Stash: Before you start a new project, double-check your thread and bobbin supply. Without a local Joann’s, a broken needle on a Sunday night means your project is dead until Tuesday.
- Visit Duluth or St. Cloud: If you need to feel the "hand" of the fabric before you buy, plan a monthly trip to the remaining Minnesota stores. The Duluth location is the closest bet for most Rangers.
The loss of Joann Fabrics Hibbing MN definitely marks the end of an era for the Irongate Mall, but the creativity on the Iron Range isn't going anywhere. We'll just have to be a little more intentional about how we source our thread and needles.