Joann's Comments on AC Moore Locations

If you haven't heard the news yet, AC Moore is closing a number of stores in Florida.

I was able to talk this morning to Lisa Greb, the director of PR for Joann's stores.  I asked her about the reports that I have been getting from various sources that Joann's will be opening stores in the vacated buildings of at least 3 of the AC Moore stores that are closing in Florida.

Greb said that Joann's will in fact be opening some store locations in Florida later this year but that she couldn't be more specific on the locations than that (whether they would be in new shopping centers or other locations).  Joann's May 28th financial report included plans for opening 20-23 new stores this fiscal year, but Greb's comments did not clarify how many of those will be Florida locations.

Despite Greb's basically issuing a no comment on Joann's possible acquisition of the AC Moore locations, the reports are coming from at least three different store locations of Joann's taking over. The Palm Beach Post was told by the manager of the Wellington AC Moore that Joann's is taking over AC Moore's lease in Wellington. I was told the same thing by store staff about the Daytona Beach store, and customers also report being told Joann's is taking over the location of the Viera AC Moore store.