You’ve seen the empty parking spaces. Maybe you even pulled on the locked door handle at the New Hartford Shopping Center, wondering if the hours had just shifted. It’s a weird feeling when a staple of the local creative scene—the place where you grabbed that last-minute spool of Gutermann thread or a yard of blizzard fleece—vanishes.
Honestly, the situation with Joann Fabrics New Hartford is a bit of a mess. It’s not just a "local store closing" story; it’s the final ripple of a massive corporate collapse that basically changed how we buy craft supplies in New York.
People around the Mohawk Valley have been asking: Wait, did they actually close for good? The short answer? Yes. But the "why" and "what’s next" are where it gets complicated.
The Reality of the New Hartford Closure
For years, the New Hartford location at 120 Genesee Street was the anchor for crafters from Utica to Clinton. It sat right there next to Ollie’s, serving as a reliable, if sometimes slightly chaotic, hub for DIY projects.
But then 2024 and 2025 happened.
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Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice in a single year. That’s not a typo. They filed in March 2024, tried to restructure, and then the wheels completely came off in early 2025. While local shoppers held out hope that the New Hartford spot might be one of the "survivors," the company eventually moved to full liquidation. By May 31, 2025, the lights were out for good.
Why This Specific Store Mattered
New Hartford wasn't just another retail box. It was the only place in the immediate area where you could get fabric cut by the yard with any real variety. Walmart? They mostly do pre-cuts now. Hobby Lobby? Sure, they have fabric, but their selection leans heavily toward home decor and quilting cottons, often ignoring the apparel and technical fabrics that Joann carried.
Think about the local high school theater departments. Or the fashion design students at nearby colleges. They relied on that Genesee Street location for everything from costume satins to upholstery foam. When a store like that closes, the "creative tax" goes up. Now, if you need a specific zipper or a matching lining, you’re either driving an hour or paying shipping fees and praying the color matches what you saw on your screen.
The "Online Survival" Myth
There’s been some chatter online about Joann "coming back." You might have seen cryptic messages on their old website or heard that Michaels bought some of their assets.
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Here is the reality:
The physical Joann Fabrics New Hartford store is gone. It isn't coming back under the old management. Michaels did acquire Joann’s digital assets and some of their private-label brands (like Big Twist yarn and certain fabric lines). So, while you might see familiar labels appearing on the shelves at Michaels in the future, the experience of walking into a dedicated Joann warehouse in New Hartford is a thing of the past.
Where New Hartford Crafters Go Now
So, what do you do if you’re standing in your craft room with a half-finished quilt and a desperate need for more batting?
- Michaels & Hobby Lobby: These are the obvious survivors. They’ve both expanded their yarn and basic craft aisles to fill the void, but neither truly replaces the "cut counter" experience Joann offered.
- The Local Gems: This is the silver lining. Without the big-box giant sucking up all the oxygen, smaller independent shops are seeing a resurgence. Places like The Sewing Studio (though a bit of a trek) or local quilt shops are becoming the new go-to for quality over quantity.
- The Digital Shift: Many locals have migrated to sites like Spoonflower or https://www.google.com/search?q=Fabric.com (now part of Amazon). It's efficient, but you lose the "hand-feel" of the fabric.
Moving Forward Without the Big Green Sign
The loss of the New Hartford Joann is a bummer, period. It represents a shift in how our local economy functions—moving away from massive, specialized warehouses toward a mix of generalist big-box stores and niche online retailers.
If you still have a Joann gift card tucked in your junk drawer, unfortunately, those are likely worthless at this point. The liquidation process moved fast, and the "use-it-or-lose-it" window slammed shut months ago.
Next Steps for Local Makers:
Check your stash before starting any new project. Because we no longer have a dedicated "everything" store in New Hartford, you’ll need to plan your materials further in advance. If you're looking for specific Joann brands like Big Twist or Top Notch storage, keep an eye on Michaels, as they are beginning to integrate these lines into their own inventory. Support the remaining local independent shops whenever possible; they are now the last line of defense for the Mohawk Valley's "touch and feel" crafting community.