On a Thursday morning at Soldotna’s Christ Lutheran Church, a small group of quilters gathers in the multipurpose room, stitching and chatting. Among them is Deborah Standefer, who eagerly fires up her sewing machine to create a blue, circular quilt.
Yet an air of sadness permeates the space as the Joann Fabric and Crafts store—just two traffic lights north on Kenai Spur Highway—prepares for its impending closure on April 29.
Standefer, a regular at Joann’s, relies on the store for essential quilting materials, particularly quilt batting. “You never truly miss them until they’re really gone,” she reflects. “We all shop at Joann’s at some time or another, so I think it’s going to have a big impact.”
Joann Fabrics has had a rocky financial history, filing for bankruptcy last year and planning to close around two-thirds of its locations, including stores in Anchorage and Juneau. Unfortunately, the company failed to secure a buyer to maintain any of its stores in Alaska.
For many quilters on the Kenai Peninsula, Joann was one of the few options available. North Beach Quilting in Kenai is one alternative, offering higher-end fabrics in a much smaller space than Joann. Owner Shonda Powell notes that seasoned quilters already frequent her shop, as she sources unique fabrics made in places such as Bali and Indonesia.
The closure of Joann has led to an influx of new customers at North Beach Quilting, prompting Powell to consider expanding her inventory. However, she is also disheartened by the loss of variety available to crafters. “I think that if somebody’s learning how to sew, this is not the place that they’d pick first,” she expresses.
Many local artisans lament the impending closure of Joann for its diverse inventory. Barbara Steckel, a long-time member of the Thursday quilting group in Soldotna, shares her concern. “It’s definitely going to have an impact, because when I’m working on something, I’m used to running in there and being able to find most of the supplies,” she says.
Steckel is also active in a volunteer group, Stitches of Love, which creates and donates quilts to those in need. Although their group mostly relies on donated materials, they still purchase a considerable amount. With the closure of Joann, she worries about how this will affect their budget and availability of necessary supplies.
As it stands, local crafters dabble in various activities such as knitting, painting, and scrapbooking, and many are anxious about where to find their crafting supplies. Some say they might resort to shopping at Walmart or turning to online retailers to fill the gap left by Joann.
Standefer emphasizes the significance of Joann’s in the community, describing it as a gathering spot for local artisans. “You go into Joann Fabric, and everybody in town’s there. It’s kind of a melting pot; you always see somebody that you know,” she says.
The closure of the store is not only a loss for individual hobbyists but also poses potential economic repercussions for local businesses. Crafters from across the peninsula frequent the Soldotna store and often make additional purchases at nearby shops. Standefer voices concern for local employees and those who craft as a means of income.
The impact of Joann Fabrics closing its doors is expected to resonate throughout the area, leaving many crafters wondering where they will turn for supplies and support. The loss of this notable store marks a significant chapter in the lives of many Kenai Peninsula residents who share a passion for quilting and other crafts.
In its absence, the community will have to adapt and rethink where they get their materials, hoping local alternatives can fill the void left behind.
image source from：https://alaskapublic.org/programs/alaska-economic-report/2025-04-17/joann-closure-a-hit-to-alaskas-crafting-community
