Bankrupt Joann Fabrics and Crafts works toward closing all stores across the nation

The popular chain Joann Fabrics and Crafts, which announced in January that it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, reports that pending court approval of the sale of its assets, it will close all locations.

At auction Saturday, retail liquidator GA Group and Joann’s term lenders won the bidding for the company. “Subject to court approval of the transaction, the winning bidders plan to wind down ongoing operations and conduct going-out-of-business sales at all JOANN locations,” according to the website Joannrestructuring.com.

In the greater Modesto area, Joann has locations at 200 Standiford Ave. in Modesto and in Turlock, Manteca and Sonora. At the Modesto store on Monday morning to inquire about date of closure and how many employees are affected, The Bee was directed to corporate headquarters.

The Joann restructuring site says the company is committed to minimizing “the negative impact on all JOANN Team Members, vendors, customers and communities.”

It says that during the winding down of operations customers can shop “at special prices during the going-out-of-business sales and can continue to shop at JOANN stores, JOANN.com, or on the JOANN mobile app.”

At the Modesto store on Monday morning, there was no signage indicating a going-out-of-business sale.

Joann Fabric and Crafts was founded in Hudson, Ohio, in 1943, according to the company’s website.

The retail chain advertises itself as “your one-stop shop for sewing, knitting, crocheting, crafting and decorating your home for every season.”

Joann said it operates about 850 stores in 49 states.