My wife is very upset about JoAnn Fabrics. A huge loss, with nothing like a replacement in sight.
I hear her. My condolences!
JoAnn's also functioned as an informal women's club. You always met other interesting ladies who sew or made crafts. There were several male tailors who frequented our local, and lots of ethnic women needing various types of goods for their special holidays. I drive long distances to see family. I always knew where the JoAnn's were along the routs if I needed a safe place for a woman traveling alone to take a short break and just pick up that spool of thread, special button or great remnant you are too busy to make a special trip for at home. Well, that's over.
These "holding companies" treat drugstores, restaurants and specialty retailers with a "one size fits all" management strategy. For speciality stores, that's the kiss of death.