Michaels Acquires Joann Brands in a Surprising Crafty Shakeup

Michaels stores did what to Joann’s?

Let’s explore the news that Michaels acquires Joann brand name and products.

The End of an Era for Joann Fabric Stores

If you don’t know by now, Joann Fabrics has officially closed all it’s stores after several bankruptcy attempts to save the brand.

It’s been several months of going down memory lane, worrying about where we will get our fabrics locally, and the best part: SALES!

Let me be honest, I did some damage in the store closings. I’m staring at about 5 bolts of fabric right now that I bought for around $40 total. Crazy!!!

Unfortunately, Joann closing is a big hit to the crafting community. It was founded in 1943 and has been a staple for fabrics in our communities for decades. It’s closing leaves a void in access to craft products in many areas.

Michaels Acquires Joann – Start of Something New?

To the shock of most of us in the crafting world, It was announced on June 5th, 2025 that Michaels Stores acquires Joann Fabrics intellectual property and private label brands. Check out the entire press release HERE.

So what does all that really mean?

Michaels basically purchased Joann’s

Name
Website
Logo and colors
Exclusive product brands like Big Twist Yarn
Products created just for Joann like special Brother and Singer sewing machines
Wide range of over 600 fabrics

Basically, Michaels now owns anything that has the Joann name on it.

Kudos to Michaels. Good for you Boo!

How This Affects The Crafting Community

Well, if you have followed me for any amount of time, you have heard me say there are three big craft stores in the USA and I call them the CRAFT TRINITY.

They are Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Joann. The Big 3 (did you catch the “This is Us” reference)

However, just like everything else in life, things shift and change and the crafting world is no different.

Hobby Lobby is going through political and social issues with some boycotting the craft store for their very conservative beliefs. (I’m sorry, I’m not boycotting Hobby Lobby. I may not agree with everything their owners believe but roaming through every craft aisle is a form of self-care to me LOL)
Joann Fabrics has officially closed all shops. The store who was once known as the largest craft chain in the US filed for bankruptcy twice and was eventually sold to different investor groups.
Michaels, who is mostly known for art supplies and florals, is now adding fabrics and hundreds of new brands to their shelves and online store, possibly now making it the largest craft store in the US.

More Fabric Please!

The biggest thing out of this collaboration I’m hoping for is MORE FABRIC OPTIONS at Michaels.

Let’s be honest, their fabric section right now is BAD. There’s not enough of it. The selection is very small and it doesn’t offer many apparel fabrics, if any at all. Also, there’s never anyone around to cut the fabric, which is just super annoying to me.

So here’s hoping that this acquisition turns into more fabric on Michaels shelves. PRETTY PLEASE!

Michaels Welcomes Joann Customers

Before it was even announced that Michaels acquired Joann’s brands, I started to notice Michaels capitalizing on Joann’s closing. There where banners and pop-ups on their website encouraging Joann customers to come to Michaels.

At first, I thought it was a little petty. Michaels was like, “Welcome Joann’s Customers.” Hilarious. Then we started to hear the news that Michaels acquired Joann, and it all started to make sense.

Listen, I have to be honest, I was still a little skeptical of what Michaels was doing. I initially thought that in some kinda corporate master scheme, they bought Joann’s intellectual property so Joann could never come back under that name.

A corporate takedown of sorts.

However, the press release from Michaels Stores states that lots of Joann’s products will be in store and online by the end of the year. YAY!

Michaels New Marketing Plan to Joann Customers

Of course big corporate moves like this warrant a big marketing push. The marketing creates buzz and excitement and leaves us all in a space of anticipation of what’s to come now that Michaels acquires Joann’s brand.

Michaels created a dedicated landing page just for Joann customers. Also, when you go to Joann.com, it takes you to a collaboration landing page.

There is a new button on Michaels homepage navigation bar to highlight all things Joann.

And I’m sure when the products are ready to be launched, we will see social media ads and TV ads to welcome the new Joann products to Michaels stores.

Ultimately, having the ability to use the Joann name and likelihood gives Michaels even more credibility in this culture shift.

It gives them a little “street cred” or clout with those who trust and love Joanns.

It’s really been exciting to watch everything unfold.

A Creative Future

Though this announcement has rocked the crafting world, I believe it will be a benefit for all crafters. We get to keep some of our favorite Joann products through a retailer like Michaels that we are already familiar with and love.

Yes, we were all sad to see Joann close, but hopefully this is for a prosperous crafting futures. This may just be Michaels time to become the #1 craft retailer. I can’t wait to see where all this goes.

Until next time, Stay Crafty!

Angie