JOANN, Inc., aka Jo-Ann Stores Holdings Inc. aka JOANN aka Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, the 80-year-old, Ohio-based, arts-and-crafts operator filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the District of Delaware Bankruptcy Court, docket #24-10418 (CTG) on March 18, 2024.

According to The New York Times, the retailer has a deal with its lenders for a $132 million cash injection to reduce its debt by $505 million, a process that will result in the retailer, which is listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, being taken into private ownership. The court filings show liabilities of $1 billion to $10 billion and assets of $500 million to $1 billion. With about 800 stores nationwide, it appears the retailer will continue to operate as it closes the deal with lenders.

As noted by our recent blog 10 Retailers to Watch for a Possible Bankruptcy Filing in 2024, JOANN has continued declining sales, comps, margins, and increasing costs, creating an uphill battle for the crafts retailer. Further, as The New York Times reported, the retailer has been coming down from a short-lived sales boom during the pandemic lockdowns when there was a frenzy in consumers spending on at-home projects.