JOANN Fabrics Closing 500 Stores Including in Grand Forks and Bemidji

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/CNN/AP) — JOANN Fabrics is closing 500 stores across the country including in Grand Forks, Bemidji, Hibbing and Brookings in our region.

That will leave only 300 stores open nationwide.

The company says the move is necessary as it navigates the bankruptcy process.

JOANN filed last month — for the second time in a year.

The retailer blames this current filing on severe and unexpected inventory issues.

It’s now looking to sell the business — and maintained in a filing Wednesday that closing “underperforming” locations is necessary to complete that process.