Fabric and craft retailer Jo-Ann is moving to the West Bank.
A banner announcing the store’s opening was placed on a storefront inside the Westside Mall, the large complex on Stumpf Boulevard and the Westbank Freeway. The place is anchored by a Rouses and a Sports & Outdoors Academy.
The interior of the storefront is empty, but the banner says it will house a future Jo-Ann and lists a website for Gretna’s new location. (Unfortunately, it’s not yet fully functional. We’ve checked.)
A sign stuck to the window said the store is hiring now. Online job postings for the Gretna store showed a range of openings, including an assistant store manager, education coordinator and member of the retail team. Those interested in applying can do so online at www.joann.com/careers.
It’s unclear when the new Jo-Ann store will open. The storefront banner did not provide an opening date. The retailer did not immediately respond to requests for further details.
Until now, Jo-Ann fans have had to drive across the Mississippi to shop in Metairie. Jo-Ann has two locations in Metairie, one at 1111 Veterans Memorial Boulevard and another further on the busy thoroughfare at 7000 Veterans. The retailer also has a Slidell store.
The Westside Mall was once home to Hancock Fabrics, a Mississippi-based fabrics and crafts retailer, but the store closed last year. Hancock closed the Gretna site and all of its remaining 185 stores in April 2016 after filing for bankruptcy. The old Hancock store remains vacant and the signage still in place.
The new Jo-Ann will be located a few storefronts from the Hancock, closer to the Rouses.
Jo-Ann, founded in 1943, has approximately 850 stores nationwide. This includes eight stores in Louisiana.
