PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Joann Fabric and Crafts store on Dalton Avenue is among some 500 set to close. 

 

Joann Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year to restructure and filed again last month. On Wednesday, the bankruptcy filings noted that liquidation should start immediately. 

 

Pittsfield was among the 19 Massachusetts stores identified for closure, as well as the store in the Hampshire Mall in Hadley. Two Vermont stores are closing along with several in New York's Capital District.

 

Overall, 53 stores out of 800 are slated to be shuttered. Joann is the only large scale material retailer in the area. Walmart eliminated its bolt fabrics a few years ago and Michaels offers a smaller selection. There are also several quilt shops in the region but they tend not to have the variety of fabrics offered by Joann. 

 

Alvarez & Marsal North America LLC, the restructuring consultant, stated that there was no interest by bidders on a subset of stores and that "it is in the best interest of the Debtors' estates to immediately commence Store Closing Sales at this subset of

stores."

 

The upcoming Presidents Day holiday weekend was identified as "a significant opportunity to meet or beat the Debtors' revenue projections from store closing

sales."

 

The closings are expected to take two to three months.