Joann announces closure of all 800 locations across the nation, including 24 in Wisconsin

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- It’s the end of an era. Longtime fabric store Joann’s announced it is closing all 800 stores across the nation, including more than 20 in Wisconsin.

Outside the Joann in Brookfield, the parking lot is full. Crafters like Judie Schubert are buying what they can for the final time.

“I gotta stock up. Whatever they have that looks decent, I’ll buy several yards of it so I can stash it away,” said Schubert.

Julie Kuzminski agrees.

“I know I came in for a few things, but I’ll probably walk out with a cart full,” said Kuzminski.

Many people say they’ve been crafting for decades and are now going to feel the loss of the fabric retailer.

“I’m a crafter, I’ve been sewing since I was 10,” said Pamela Missiaen.

After more than 80 years of business, the craft company announced it’s closing after struggling financially for several years. Joann will be releasing exact closing dates for locations over the next few weeks on its website.

“Fabric stores have always been around. Now what?” said Missiaen.

Shubert says buying fabrics online won’t be the same.

I like to feel the fabric – I make my own clothes, so I like to touch the fabric I’m going to make, and I get the patterns here and all the notions and everything, and I don’t know where I’m going to go,” said Shubert.

Kuzminski says as people continue to shop from the comfort of their homes, more storefronts will continue to close.

“It’s such a sad commentary on society that people just want to stay in their homes and order things and not go out and shop and be amongst the people,” said Kuzminksi.

Many say it's a sign of a dying craft.

“I’m sad. I’m sad that there’s not a niche anymore for sewing,” said Kuzminski.

A craft they believe should’ve been passed down to keep stores like this one open.

“Culture’s changing, I don’t think we’ve passed on the craft to our children,” said Missiaen.