The Creation Gap: How Joann’s Closure Has Impacted Artists in the Midwest.

As most of you readers are aware, Joann’s, the fabric and craft store, closed its doors in May of 2025. While my wallet might be grateful for this business closure, my creative and artistic outlets have been severely impacted over this, and I’m not alone. This was a massive blow to people in more rural places such as Minnesota and the Midwest, as it has been a challenge to find and access affordable and quality fabrics and supplies.  Joann Fabrics suffered from 2 bankruptcies, which inevitably led to their closure. When I heard they were closing, I was understandably devastated. I grew up sewing and crocheting, so I’m very familiar with Joann Fabrics. One of my fondest memories is going to Joann’s with my grandma, and learning how to sew with her, it has always and will always be something very dear to me. Unfortunately, in recent years, I have been sewing and crocheting less, which as somebody who uses their artistic ability to express themselves, its heartbreaking. This has in turn, created a major gap in creation over the years. When people can’t access something, it slowly becomes more and more irrelevant in today's society.  This is why I think it is incredibly important that we continue to find alternatives to these businesses, which is also challenging.  Because Joann Fabrics closed a little less than a year ago, there hasn’t been a chain business created to replace it. Hobby Lobby has been wildly problematic for years, and Michaels has tried to step up, and their fabric and supplies inventory has gotten a bit bigger, they still don’t have the variety (limited to cottons and flannels, mostly in licensed or character fabrics)  in fabrics Joann had. Fortunately, here in the twin cities, we have a few local businesses that can be used! While they all have their pros and cons, I’m hoping this is enough for some of you to explore these possibilities.  Knit & Bolt Knit & Bolt is a small fabric and Yarn store located on Johnson St NE in Minneapolis! This is a wonderful option for people new to textile arts, as they offer a lot of crafting kits. When I went in last, I saw that they had pride flag quilts, which I was very excited about, and want to try! They also had a good clearance section where I got some absolutely beautiful cakes of yarn for a good price! When I went in, the owner was there and she was such a sweetheart and so helpful! Because this is a small business, the selection of fabric patterns and types is limited, and the prices can be quite expensive. I wouldn’t recommend this spot if you are looking to buy bulk fabrics or if you are looking for textiles for clothes, but if you are looking for a place to boost your creativity and find some fun textiles, it is a fabulous place to shop!  A notable mention on this list and a pro to this business, is that it is located right across the street from Rewind, a vintage fashion store. If you are in the area, I definitely recommend checking it out! Twin Cities Quilting Located right off the 35W, on County Rd D in New Brighton, this quilting shop is one of my favorites in the cities! It’s about 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, and 17 minutes from St. Paul, so it is accessible to city folks. They offer an incredibly rich inventory of over 2,000 fabrics, and materials! I found a cute cotton fabric (not pictured) from them, that was affordable and of great quality! Because this is a quilting store, their fabric variety is limited to flannels and Cottons. If you’re interested in quilting and are in the cities, check out this store! I think you’ll love it. They also offer affordable class packages (about $120 for a 5 class package, which equals to about $24/class) for beginner quilters and sewers. They also have a stitch club, where you can come in and work on your projects, for an entrance fee of $10. S.R Harris This fabric store has 2 locations, one in Brooklyn park, and one in Burnsville. These are hands down the biggest fabric stores in Minnesota, offering the most variety in fabrics, laces, trims, and materials like sewing needles and thread. It’s also the most affordable fabric store I’ve been to, often being cheaper than Joann’s. I’ve been to the Brooklyn Park location a couple of times, and I’m always able to find what I need there, and more! I even got all my materials for my prom dress there a few years ago.  The prom dress I made from scratch The downside to this fabric store is because it is so big and has so much variety, it can get overwhelming real quick.  If you are a beginner looking for something specific, I’d recommend going with someone who has experience with textiles or is familiar with the store. This store is best if you are looking for clothes making materials (check out the swimsuit fabric section, one of my favorites in the whole store!), but they also have a huge selection of cottons and flannels. This is the best store if you are looking to bulk buy materials, as it is the cheapest option on this list.  Honorable Mention: Thrift Stores If you are looking for some affordable fabrics, just for fun and nothing super specific, I’d highly recommend checking out some of your local thrift stores! Some thrift stores I’ve been to offer some pre-cut fabrics for sale, along with yarn too! There's a thrift store chain located in east Wisconsin called Treasures  from the heart, which offer thrifted fabric sections in a variety of different textiles. That is a great option if you live on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin. There is also Odds & Ends Again in New Brighton, they have a small fabric section, which has cheap bolts or pre-cuts. There is also the Stashery located in the Textiles Center in Minneapolis. Their inventory is second hand so you can find a bunch of unique fabrics and materials! I’ve personally never been but it gets phenomenal reviews online. 

As you can see, the Twin Cities have some really awesome shops for you to explore, and I hope this list provides you with some inspiration to start a new textiles journey!