New Yorkers Notice Rumors Stirring of a Joann Fabrics Comeback

If you were among the crafters who visited Joann Fabrics over the years, you felt the loss deeply. For many New Yorkers, Joann was the go to place for fabric, yarn, sewing supplies, and inspiration. Then came the quiet closures, and suddenly we were left without that creative haven. It was more than a store disappearing, it was a part of our crafting identity.

Michaels Acquires Joann and Revives It Inside Stores

Here’s the twist: Joann’s retail footprint may have faded, but its spirit is making a comeback. In mid-2025, Michaels acquired Joann’s intellectual property and private label brands. What that means is that Joann as a standalone store is mostly gone, but its name and much loved products are being folded into Michaels stores via new “store-within-a-store” designs.

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Michaels Launches ‘Knit & Sew Shop’ With More Space and Services

One new concept is called The Knit & Sew Shop, a dedicated section inside Michaels stores that features Joann’s brands (like Big Twist yarn) alongside Michaels’ own inventory and other trusted sewing names. Michaels is dedicating about 25 percent more floor space to fabrics, yarn, and sewing supplies to meet demand. Also, fabric cutting tables and more in-store services (what some are calling “Cut Bars”) will roll out in over 650 stores by mid-October.

On top of that, Michaels is also launching The Party Shop concept, expanding into event supplies, custom balloons, and party décor with a “Balloon Bar.” It’s part of a broader push to make Michaels a major player not just in crafts, but in celebration and party supplies, especially after Party City’s struggles.

Joann Favorites Returning to Michaels Stores Across New York

For New Yorkers who loved having a Joann nearby, this could be good news. While we won’t see stand-alone Joann stores reopening, many Michaels locations across the state (and nation) are being retrofitted to host Joann-branded “Knit & Sew Shop” sections. That means some of the fabrics, yarn, and brands we thought lost may return in a different setting.

Michaels is also expanding its overall fabric, sewing, and quilting inventory: it’s adding hundreds of new products, increasing its yarn selections by 25 percent, and rolling out sewing machines and advanced cutting services. For crafters in New York this could bring back access to materials that had been harder to find locally. Instead of ordering everything online or traveling long distances, you may soon see some of your favorite Joann items in your local Michaels.

A Different Joann Experience, But Better Than Nothing

Of course, we have to temper excitement with realism. Walking into a Michaels with a Joann “Knit & Sew Shop” won’t feel exactly like walking into the old Joann. The overall layout, the feel, the dedicated services, that all may differ. But it’s better than losing the Joann legacy entirely. We don’t yet know which Michaels stores (in New York) will get the new Joann sections first, or how complete those sections will be. Some may feature only yarn and basic sewing, while others may try to approximate the full Joann experience. For now, it’s a gradual reintroduction.

How New Yorkers Can Help Shape Joann’s Comeback

If you’re in New York and you miss Joann, here are a few things you can do:

• Keep an eye on your nearest Michaels and ask staff about “Knit & Sew Shop” plans.
• Request specific products you’d like to see (Big Twist yarn, specialty fabrics, etc.)
• Follow Michaels’ announcements, the rollout is expected to hit hundreds of stores soon.
• Support local craft communities and let them know what your creative needs are.

Joann’s Legacy Lives On in a New Form

When Joann closed, we lost more than a store, we lost a community anchor. But now we’re seeing a reinvention: the name lives on, the products may return, and Michaels is stepping into a new hybrid role. For New York crafters, this may be one of those moments where we get part of what we lost, in a fresh form. It might not be exactly the same, but magic can still happen when passion meets reinvention.