Jo-Ann Fabrics at least six months away
Published 6:06 am Thursday, November 19, 2009
The people of Austin will soon have a new outlet to flex their creative muscles, as Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts plans to open in Austin sometime next year.
The 17,000 square foot store will be located in the Target shopping center
Lisa Greb, Lisa Greb, public relations director for Jo-Ann Fabrics, said it will be at least six months until the arts and crafts store opens in Austin, but no firm date has been set.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to provide customers and the people who live in Austin with creative inspiration,” Greb said.
Greb described the store as a one-stop-shop, for people interested in arts and crafts.
About half the store will be devoted to fabrics, and the half will be devoted to crafts, Greb said. The store will feature silk flowers, jewelry, scrapbooking materials, yarn, crafts for children and sewing materials, Greb said.
Home decor materials and seasonal items from Christmas wreaths and Halloween decorations will also be sold at the store, she said.
Greb said Jo-Ann’s often has a very giving customer base, and she said it’s common for people to use the stores crafts to make presents for friends and family. She also said many people frequently use materials at Jo-Ann Fabrics to recycle old clothing and other items into a craft project.
The deal will likely reduce the space currently allotted to Rooms and Rest Furniture, community development director Craig Hoium said. On Oct. 19. the Austin City Council unanimously approved an addition to the Target sign near Highway 218 — an addition that will bear the name “Jo-Ann Fabrics.”
Rooms and Rest Furniture is currently located in the former Rainbow Foods store, and advertisements for the business recently said the store is hosting a moving/liquidation sale.
A representative with Centro Properties Group, the property owner, said the company does not comment on projects until a deal is finalized.
Jo-Ann Fabrics has 1,000 locations across the U.S. and employs 20,000 people, according to its Web site.
“We’re really happy to be coming to Austin,” Greb said.
