Category: Quilting

No looking good for Joann

February 3, 2025

Today, Sadie & I went to the Alpharetta Joann store. Our mission was to find fabric to make another sample tote bag for the beginning sewing class at the SQTM. We ended our shopping trip with Sadie saying good-bye to several staffers we’ve gotten to know from previous visits.  Joann received a lot more business from me because of its pet friendly policy once the local quilt shops in the area that were pet friendly closed.

Employees didn’t say much about the future of the company. One did say she hoped a new buyer would be found so that the fabric and sewing part might return after the bankruptcy was over.  I agree.  Joann fills a niche that Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Wal-Mart don’t.

This store reminds me of what Hancock Fabrics stores looked like before it went out of business (i.e. liquidation sales began).  There are posters in the check-out area reminding staff not to accept any more deliveries. Lots of holes in the shelves where merchandise would normally be. Disorganized bolts of fabric set out in big cardboard bins in the middle of the floor.  (The bins resemble the Gaylord boxes I used at the end of the school year to discard weeded library books and outdated instructional materials. They came in on pallets and were hauled away once full.)

WARN act notices (about pending layoffs) are being filed in states where Joann does business.  The one filed in Ohio, where Joann is based, shows that the business wind down will happen quickly, with most staff being gone by the end of March/April.

Joann has agreed to sell itself to Gordon Brothers Retail (who has indicated its plan to liquidate the company) should another buyer not be found in the next 10 days.

You read correctly. Joann has about 10 days before it goes back to bankruptcy court and sells itself to the highest bidder.  If you have a gift card, get to the store NOW to redeem it while it still has value and there’s some inventory left from which to shop.

And should Joann not rise from bankruptcy, we’ll figure out other ways to get our fabric and craft fix.

We always do. 

Got Joann gift cards for Christmas?

January 21, 2025

Redeem them ASAP!

Last week – January 15th to be exact – Joann and its sibling companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection again. Yep, it’s the second filing in less than year. This time, though, it’s to ask the court for permission to sell itself to the highest bidder.  Joann apparently has a deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC, which has indicated it will liquidate and close all 800+ Joann stores unless a higher bidder is found. FYI, this is the company that is currently overseeing the closing of Big Lots stores across the country. 

How does this impact you?

Joann stopped selling gift cards as of the date of the bankruptcy filing.  The bankruptcy judge signed a flurry of first day orders to allow the company to continue operating as usual during the sale process. Joann’s website states that it is currently still accepting gift cards as a form of payment, but its ability to continue accepting gift cards is up to the court.

 

Once upon a time, I worked for a bankruptcy trustee. The whole Chapter 11 bankruptcy process is very convoluted. No final sale date has been established yet.  Once the sale closes, you can be damn sure those gift cards will be rendered worthless!   According to the docket, the parties return to court in mid-February for more fun and games.  Go redeem your Joann gift cards now. 

This evening, I redeemed a gift card for quilt batting that I’ll pick up in-store tomorrow.  I’ll also be checking my purses and SUV for any random cards I may have forgotten about. 

On a personal note,I hope Joann’s finds a buyer that wants to downsize and keep select stores open in major markets. I realize that businesses come and go, but this one, like Hancock Fabrics, was a part of my childhood. 

For more information:

joannrestructuring.com

 

Retirement: Starting Year 3

January 18, 2025

Can you believe it’s been almost three years since we retired? As I approach the start of year 3, I can honestly say my everyday activities are as I envisioned them to be and they will continue to evolve. It’s been a journey to get to this point. Believe it when the retirement gurus tell you that it’ll take 2-3 years before you finally begin to feel settled in retirement.

People ask if we plan to remain where we currently live long-term. No. Making the decision on whether or not to stay in the same area took some time. In the end, I really want a smaller house in a less populated area, preferably near a body of water. That’s all I know. We don’t have to make a decision today – or anytime soon, for that matter. Eventually, we’ll need a house with fewer stairs and something that’s easier to maintain.

Labradoodle sitting on a quilt.
Sadie waiting on our next R.E.A.D.er.

Meanwhile, the school-based R.E.A.D. program was definitely worth the work and 2-1/2 year wait. I thoroughly enjoy working with the kids to improve their literacy skills. This week, Sadie and I started our 4th week of the program. All the kids came right on time, ready to work. It’s been wonderful! FYI, Big Girl and I made 38 therapy dog visits in 2024 totaling 80 hours of visit time. Wonder what our stats will be at the end of 2025?

Quilting activities ebb and flow. I sew with friends at least one day a week. I’m taking a breather on personal projects after the intense focus on the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt. Placemats and pillowcases for community service are currently on my worktable. I’m teaching sewing and machine maintenance classes throughout 2025 at the SQTM. I’ll also be a student at guild and regional quilt events, as well. 

Travel is something hubs and I both said we wanted to do more of in 2025.  I’m sure we will. Mind you, retirement travel doesn’t always resemble the glamorous jet-setting round the world often portrayed in retirement ads. As a couple, it’s usually 1-2 trips by plane with some weekend getaways sprinkled throughout the year. We currently have two destinations in mind, with dates TBD.  Other travel involves volunteer work and hobbies. Occasionally, we go together, but it’s usually done solo or with friends. 

Since Hurricane Helene, hubs has become so involved with Team Rubicon that he’s been gone at least two weeks of every month. It’s worthwhile work that I’m happy to support.  Besides, my own volunteer and teaching commitments have me tied to an academic calendar through mid-May. (Spring break will be spent at a quilt retreat!) Road trips are something that I have missed. Having a high-mileage older car with some quirks is fine for local trips, but not long ones. QuiltCon in Raleigh was her last major trip. Test drives of my top 3 new vehicle candidates are next week. Once that’s decided, then it’s a matter of finding/waiting on the specific model/trim level to become available. 

If you’ve worked with a professional to develop a solid retirement plan, money worries should ease significantly by year 3. It did for me. All I can say is follow your plan. Give yourself permission to spend money, especially in the early years of your retirement while you’re able to enjoy it.  This has been a hard mindshift for me, but I’m adjusting!