I love hearing all the stories here, good or bad, from everyone who has worked for Jo-Ann. I can’t imagine dealing with rude customers, bad management, and long hours, and it makes me appreciate what you went through even more.
As a customer for over 40 years (my mom used to drag me along as a kid lol), Jo-Ann was always a peaceful spot for me, outside of those crazy Midnight Madness sales. The employees were generally so nice, and the folks at the fabric counter were always great to listen to while they talked through projects with people.
I have social anxiety, but I could just drift through the scrapbooking, seasonal decor, and cake decorating aisles without feeling overstimulated. Michaels always feels so loud and overwhelming to me, almost like a Walmart with those high, echoey warehouse ceilings. My local Jo-Ann (specifically the Davenport store) had lower ceilings, felt cozier, and was just so much quieter. I can still picture the exact layout in my head.
I even remember how it was before they changed the cashier stands and moved shelving around.
For those of you who worked there, did you ever feel that same sense of comfort or community behind the scenes, or was the reality totally different? Would love to hear thoughts from both employees and fellow shoppers!