National Retailer Now Closing All Minnesota Locations

Well, that was quick. We got word that this retailer was closing around half of its stores less than two weeks ago, but now says it's closing ALL of its locations here in Minnesota.

We haven't even gotten through February 2025 yet the business closings have continued at a furious pace. This popular retailer said they were planning on closing a dozen locations here in Minnesota later this year. But, as it turns out, they were just getting started, apparently.

Retail is big business here in the Bold North, with retailers now being the nation's largest private-sector employer, helping to drive the U.S. economy and create jobs in communities around the country and here at home. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 25 percent of all jobs here in the North Star State are supported by the retail industry.

READ MORE: This Popular Convenience Store Has Closed All Of Its Locations in Minnesota

So when word dropped recently that arts and crafts retailer Joann was closing about 500 of its 800 stores nationally, we wondered if any Minnesota locations would be affected. And sure enough, 12 stores here in our fair state made the list of locations set to be closed, Joann said in a release just a few weeks ago.

Get our free mobile app

The Joann chain was founded in 1943, and has 'grown from a favorite fabric destination to your one-stop shop for sewing, knitting, crocheting, crafting and decorating your home for every season,' their website notes.

A Joann location in Rochester, Minnesota. (Google Street View)

Joann operates approximately 850 stores in 49 states, including 21 locations here in Minnesota, its website said. But after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January (its second time in bankruptcy in less than a year, Axios noted), the chain previously said it was closing the following locations in Minnesota: