Joann Fabrics in The Dalles to Close, Marking the End of an Era for Local Crafters

By Robin Denning with additions by Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 13, 2025 — For years, Joann Fabrics in The Dalles has been more than just a store—it’s been a hub for quilters, crafters, and DIYers who found inspiration among its bolts of fabric, spools of thread, and shelves stacked with possibilities. But now, the store is set to close as part of a massive wave of 500 store shutdowns nationwide following the company’s second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in less than a year.

The loss is hitting hard in smaller communities like The Dalles, where Joann was often the only dedicated fabric and craft supply store in town. With the nearest alternatives miles away or limited to big-box chain aisles, many local creators are wondering where they’ll turn next.

A Store, a Community, a Tradition

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 13, 2025 — For Tomme Fent, a longtime member of the Columbia River Gorge Quilters Guild, Joann’s closing isn’t just about losing a place to buy fabric—it’s the loss of a creative gathering space.

"The loss of Joann Fabrics and Crafts is the latest casualty in the ongoing struggle for brick-and-mortar stores to remain viable. Although the craft industry continues to boom, the growth in online outlets, particularly during the long COVID shutdown period, has sounded the death knell for innumerable retail stores, both large and small," Fent said.

She reflected on how in-person shopping was part of the creative process—flipping through pattern books, feeling the weight and texture of fabrics, chatting with fellow crafters and staff who understood the difference between quilting cotton and apparel fabric.

"Gone are the days when someone could decide to sew a garment or home decor item, then go to Joann’s, select just the right pattern, and enjoy the process of choosing fabrics and notions," she said. "Losing Joann’s isn’t just losing a store; it feels like the loss of a community and the end of an era."

Retail Woes and National Decline

Joann Fabrics, which has struggled with declining sales, competition from online retailers, and mounting debt, said its decision to close hundreds of locations was part of a court-supervised sale process.

"This was a very difficult decision to make, given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members, our customers and all of the communities we serve," the company said in a statement.

Industry experts say Joann’s decline was years in the making, with inventory issues, rising competition from retailers like Hobby Lobby and Michaels, and customers shifting spending away from pandemic-era crafting booms.

Retail analyst Neil Saunders pointed out that many Joann stores had become visibly run-down, with frequent stock shortages that frustrated long-time customers. "A lot of stores were very shabby," Saunders said. "There were a lot of out-of-stocks, and of course, that just trains customers to go elsewhere."

What’s Next for The Dalles Crafters?

With Joann closing, local creators will need to adjust. Some will turn to online ordering, but for many, that’s not an ideal solution.

The closure also raises concerns for sewing and crafting groups that relied on Joann Fabrics for last-minute supplies and community connections. Many are already looking for alternatives, from smaller independent fabric shops to online retailers.

While The Dalles still has local stores such as The-Workshop & House of A La Mode and Urban Paper that carry some craft supplies, the depth and variety of Joann’s selection will be hard to replace. And as another national chain disappears from small-town America, it leaves the question—what’s next for local retail?

The Dalles Main Street’s Cynthia Kortge recently pointed out that this could provide an opportunity for an existing or new well-thought out mom-and-pop shop to come in and fill the vacuum left behind by big-box stores, especially for items that local crafters need right away.

The recent announcement of Staples office store closing in The Dalles may also provide opportunities for savvy local retailers looking to diversify their retail shelves.

For now, it’s a time of nostalgia and uncertainty for those who have spent years browsing Joann’s aisles, planning their next project, and exchanging ideas with fellow makers.

The Dalles Joann Fabrics may soon be gone, but for many, its impact—and the community it fostered—won’t be forgotten.