'An essential place to learn and practice': Locals respond to Joann bankruptcy filing

George Jabbour, the owner of Jabbour’s Clothing & Tailoring in Stow, was stunned when Joann Inc. filed for bankruptcy last week.

But he also acknowledged the debt this retailer faces is emblematic of a "dying" industry.

“It’s sad to see Joann enter bankruptcy – the people who know how to sew and sew well are becoming fewer and fewer, unfortunately," Jabbour said. "Tailoring is a dying art, and the fact that Joann filed for bankruptcy just exemplifies this.”

More: Hudson-based Joann files for bankruptcy; company to become privately owned

Joann Inc., a national retailer based in Hudson and founded in Cleveland, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy March 18. The company announced plans to reduce its debt by over half a billion dollars while keeping its more than 800 stores open and fully operational.

The company is expected to see over $132 million in new financing to help offset the debt, it said in a recent news release.

Joann will become a private company owned by its lenders and "industry parties," according to a news release, meaning the company will no longer be listed on Nasdaq or any other national stock exchange.

The company hopes to complete the bankruptcy process by as early as the end of next month, officials noted.

Daleena Fredrick-Banks, an Akron seamstress and former Joann employee who has done clothing alterations for four decades, was initially scared by Joann's bankruptcy filing, noting it is seemingly the last place where local tailors can buy fabric and sewing materials in-person.

"With the rise of internet sales and Amazon pretty much taking over, it's harder to access what you need immediately" Fredrick-Banks said. "I know Amazon can deliver things in a few days but sometimes you need something right then and there. A lot of people that I've talked to are like, 'What are we going to do now?'"

She said she was relieved to hear the retailer plans to continue normal operations.

"If I need to run out and get a purple zipper or some fabric to match I can do it immediately, rather than place an online order and wait for it to come," Fredrick-Banks said.

Officials from the city of Hudson, which has housed Joann’s headquarters and distribution center since 1990, said they are encouraged to see the retail giant continue its operations while vowing to remain in the community.

“While we don’t wish for any Hudson-based businesses go through bankruptcy, we are encouraged to hear that JOANN’s intends to continue operations at their more than 800 stores nationwide throughout their proceedings,” said Jody Roberts, communications manager for the city of Hudson, in an emailed response. “Leadership has affirmed their desire to continue operating their headquarters here in Hudson. They’ve been a wonderful partner to our community over the years, and we are hopeful that this restructuring will lead to a positive outcome for their business.”

For Jabbour, the bankruptcy is indicative of a larger trend surrounding the tailoring industry and sewing in general.

“Less and less people are getting into sewing and tailoring now. Most of the time when you think about people who sew, you think of older people,” Jabbour said. “They’re either dying out or retiring, and [most people] are not going to get into the business of tailoring since it takes a long time to be successful, and you’re going to continue to see less and less tailors for that reason.”

Still, many took to social media to lament the retailer's bankruptcy filing and express their desire for it to remain operational. Users often mentioned the good memories they had shopping at the store with loved ones for a variety of special occasions.

"I have such fond memories of shopping there with my mom. She was an excellent seamstress. She would begin in the evening and by morning she had spun a beautiful dress for one of us four girls," one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Hoping the reorganizing helps! We absolutely need Joann's, an essential place to learn and practice centuries-old handcrafts," another user posted.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Locals respond to bankruptcy of Hudson-based fabric retailer Joann