JOANN, Inc., aka Jo-Ann Stores Holdings Inc. aka JOANN aka Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, the 80-year-old, Ohio-based, arts-and-crafts operator filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the District of Delaware Bankruptcy Court, docket #24-10418 (CTG) on March 18, 2024.
According to The New York Times, the retailer has a deal with its lenders for a $132 million cash injection to reduce its debt by $505 million, a process that will result in the retailer, which is listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, being taken into private ownership. The court filings show liabilities of $1 billion to $10 billion and assets of $500 million to $1 billion. With about 800 stores nationwide, it appears the retailer will continue to operate as it closes the deal with lenders.
As noted by our recent blog 10 Retailers to Watch for a Possible Bankruptcy Filing in 2024, JOANN has continued declining sales, comps, margins, and increasing costs, creating an uphill battle for the crafts retailer. Further, as The New York Times reported, the retailer has been coming down from a short-lived sales boom during the pandemic lockdowns when there was a frenzy in consumers spending on at-home projects.
If you are a landlord or trade creditor of JOANN, it is important to know your rights now. Stark & Stark’s Shopping Center and Retail Development Group can help. Our bankruptcy attorneys regularly represent landlords throughout the country, including recently in the Eastern District of Missouri, District of New Jersey, Southern District of New York, District of Delaware, District of Minnesota and the Western and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania regarding a variety of issues. Most recently, our Group has represented landlords and trade creditors in the Rite Aid, Party City, David’s Bridal, Christmas Tree, Buyk, Tuesday Morning, Mattress Firm, Toys R Us, EMS, Golfsmith, RadioShack, and Sports Authority chapter 11 bankruptcy cases.
For more information on how Stark & Stark can assist you, please contact shareholders Thomas Onder at (609) 219-7458 (tonder@stark-stark.com) or Joseph Lemkin at (609) 791-7022 (jlemkin@stark-stark.com).
