Nicole Crafts has closed the A.C. Moore stores off Kirkwood Highway, west of Wilmington, but signs point to Michaels taking the space
A.C. Moore is closing all 140 stores on the East Coast, including a location in Dover. The announcement was made in November, with the Kirkwood store having a lengthy going out of business sale at the strip mall location.
However, a sign on the store points to Michaels taking over the space, a post in the Facebook site, What’s Going There in Delaware indicated. Michaels operates a location a short drive away near Christiana Mall.
Anthony Piperno, CEO of A.C. Moore said, “For over 30 years, our stores have been servicing the creative community with a vast selection of art and craft materials, with one common focus, the customer. Unfortunately, given the headwinds facing many retailers in today’s environment, it made it very difficult for us to operate and compete on a national level.”
As part of the transaction, The Michaels Companies Inc., will assume leases for up to 40 store locations and a lease on an east coast distribution facility plus purchase intellectual property.
Michaels CEO, Mark Cosby, noted, “This transaction enables us to further expand our presence in strategic markets and serve even more customers both online and in-store. We are looking forward to re-opening these stores under the Michaels name in 2020 and welcoming new team members.”
Piperno added, “While it was a difficult decision for us, this transaction will result in a group of stores reopening under the Michaels banner subject to negotiations with landlords— allowing teams to continue serving the brand’s loyal customers and employ our valued team members in those locations.”
A.C. Moore opened its first store in Moorestown, NJ in 1985. The company is based in Berlin, NJ.
In addition to competition from Michaels, Moore was feeling the effects of the expansion of Hobby Lobby, a chain that is adding East Coast locations.
The Michaels Companies, Inc. is North America’s largest specialty provider of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor, and seasonal merchandise for Makers and do-it-yourself home decorators. The company operates more than 1,260 Michaels stores in 49 states and Canada.
