History Jo-Ann Stores

1 history

1.1 beginnings , northeast ohio roots
1.2 fabri-centers of america inc.
1.3 jo-ann stores inc.
1.4 endorsements

history
beginnings , northeast ohio roots

in 1943, german immigrants hilda , berthold reich , friends sigmund , mathilda rohrbach opened imported cheese store in cleveland. fabric added, sold decided open second store. no money additional inventory, divided full bolts 2 supply both stores. eventually, discontinued cheese sales , began operating under name cleveland fabric shop. further expansion in 1969, name changed jo-ann fabrics. store s name created combining names of daughters both families: joan , jacqueline ann. rohrbach family founded 2 other cleveland-based businesses—decorative hardware supply, inc. , factory windows direct, llc, still operates in cleveland.

fabri-centers of america inc.

in 1969, jo-ann fabrics became publicly held corporation traded on american stock exchange under name of fabri-centers of america, inc. during 1970s, jo-ann fabrics opened stores in shopping malls; 1980s, had left malls , added crafts , floral. in 1994, company made first acquisition purchase of cloth world, 342-store southern company; @ time of acquisition, fabri-centers operated 655 stores.

jo-ann stores inc.

in 1998, fabri-centers acquired house of fabrics, operated fabricland, fabric king, , so-fro fabrics. company changed name jo-ann stores inc., , of stores renamed jo-ann fabrics. today, jo-ann fabrics leading national specialty retailer of crafting, decorating, , sewing products.

on december 23, 2010, jo-ann stores announced plans sell out private equity firm leonard green $1.6 billion.

endorsements

in september 2012, jo-ann stores introduced project runway season 6 contestant christopher straub spokesperson national sewing month (september). endorsement included contest, series of videos, , in-store promotions.