Popular national retailer closing all 800 stores: When do going-out-of-business sales start?

Bankrupt fabrics and craft retailer JOANN is closing all its stores, the chain announced.

The retailer filed its second bankruptcy petition in less than a year in January and said it would close about 530 “underperforming” stores across 40 states. Those closures were set to begin “immediately” the retailer said.

Now, JOANN said it will close all 800 locations.

“Following a comprehensive sale process and auction, GA Group together with the Prepetition Term Loan Agent, has been selected as the winning bidder to acquire substantially all of JOANN’s assets. In connection with this agreement, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval of the transaction, the winning bidders plan to begin winding down the company’s operations and conduct going-out-of-business sales at all store locations,” a JOANN spokesperson said in a statement.

“JOANN leadership, our board, advisors and legal partners made every possible effort to pursue a more favorable outcome that would keep the company in business. We are committed to working constructively with the winning bidder to ensure an orderly wind-down of operations that minimizes the impact on all our stakeholders. We deeply appreciate our dedicated team members, our customers and communities across the nation for their unwavering support for more than 80 years,” the statement added.

Going-out-of-business sales at all locations are expected to begin immediately after the bankruptcy hearing on Wednesday. Dates for the store closures have not been announced but the company said in a FAQ it expects “it will take a number of weeks” to complete final sales.

JOANN stores, JOANN.com and its mobile app will remain open and operating during the closure process.