When I first started quilting in 1992 or so, there were two Orem stores where quilters shopped: JoAnn and Fantastic Fabrics on State Street in Orem. I took my first quilting class from Penny Stephenson at Fantastic Fabrics. My new quilt friends and I found the pieces of fabric we needed at these two stores.
I remember shopping with my dear friend, Marjo Rietveld, at JoAnn. We had conversations that went like this, “Aren’t you so glad that our husbands have great jobs at WordPerfect so we can afford to buy any fabric we need?” Then we’d carefully select the bolts we liked and have 1/8 or 1/4 yard pieces cut from them. We loved learning to quilt together and I love my memories of JoAnn fabrics.
This year JoAnn declared bankruptcy. There are more than 800 JoAnn stores in 49 states (13 in Utah). It almost seems unbelievable that this institution is going to go away.
Today I stopped by to pay my respects as our Orem store is slowly emptying. I wanted to take a few pics of a place where I’ve enjoyed shopping these last 30 years or so. During my years with Days for Girls, I purchased 1000s of yards of flannel here that was made into feminine hygiene kits that have gone out all over the world. I’ve purchased notions and books and holiday things here. I suppose I’ve done my share in keeping the business alive all this time. But no more. By May 31st, all the remaining stores will close (many have already emptied).
I’m sad to say goodbye.
