Shreveport Residents Concerned Over Joann Fabrics Closures

Empty aisles in Joann Fabrics with liquidation sale signs

News Summary

Joann Fabrics has announced the closure of five stores in Louisiana, including Shreveport, amid a challenging retail climate and ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. As community members express their distress, liquidation sales are set to begin, offering discounts of up to 70% on all items. The closures impact local crafters who rely on Joann for essential supplies, raising questions about the future of crafting in Shreveport. With an uncertain retail landscape, many are left wondering about the long-term effects on their community.

Shreveport Residents React to Joann Fabrics Store Closures

In a surprising turn of events, Joann Fabrics and Crafts has announced its plan to close at least 533 of its nearly 800 stores across the United States, and that includes five locations right here in Louisiana. The closures come as the company struggles to navigate through its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which it filed back in January 2025, following a previous filing in March 2024.

Locations Affected in Louisiana

The affected Joann stores in Louisiana are in Shreveport, Alexandria, Slidell, Gretna, and Metairie. For the Shreveport community, this is particularly painful as the store is located on Youree Drive in the Bayou Walk shopping center. Many residents have come to rely on this store for a variety of crafting needs, from fabrics to art supplies.

Sales and Closing Plans

As the closures loom, Shreveport’s Joann store is gearing up for liquidation sales, with current promotions offering discounts of up to 70%. Starting February 15, shoppers can expect to see “going out of business” signs in all affected stores. The liquidation sales are anticipated to last several months, offering a last chance for shoppers to grab some deals.

What This Means for Community Crafters

The Bigger Picture: Retail Trends

Joann’s mass closures are not an isolated incident. According to a report from Coresight Research, approximately 15,000 brick-and-mortar retail stores could close their doors in 2025. Factors such as inflation and the increasing dominance of online shopping contribute to these staggering statistics, presenting significant challenges for retailers across the country.

Future of Joann Fabric Stores

As Joann navigates through its restructuring process, it is aiming to “maximize company value” and manage its store footprint effectively. Although stores in Baton Rouge and Lafayette were not on the initial closure list, there remains a looming uncertainty about their future, as closures could still be possible later on.

In an interesting twist, Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC has shown interest in buying Joann, aiming to liquidate assets and conduct going-out-of-business sales nationwide. Joann is currently considering alternative offers and solutions as it continues to evaluate its options moving forward.

Challenges Ahead

Joann’s management has pointed out that several factors—including significant retail challenges and constrained inventory levels—played a crucial role in this decision to close many of its stores. The unfortunate closures are being portrayed as a necessary step toward “right-sizing” the company’s operations amid ongoing evaluations of each store’s performance and overall strategic fit.

As this situation continues to unfold, many community members in Shreveport and beyond are left wondering about their crafting futures without their beloved Joann stores. With local access to supplies increasingly threatened, the crafting community is coming together to voice their concerns and support one another during this challenging time.