as a way to move beyond fabrics and encompass more craft. In March 2018, Soltau left Jo-Ann Stores and in March 2019, Wade Miquelon became president, CEO, and a member of the board of directors. In March 2019, Jo-Ann partnered with GoldieBlox for a monthly subscription box called the GoldieBlox Box to help children ages 8 and up to develop STEM skills. As of March 2020, Joann has 865 stores in 49 states. Joann is owned by Leonard Green & Partners and was taken off the public stock exchange. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the chain lost $546.6M in its 2019 fiscal year. However, by the end of the 2020 fiscal year, it made $210.9M to $212.9M and added 9 million new customers. The increase in sales is credited to mask mandates and an increased interest in do-it-yourself projects. In March 2021, Joann made plans to create an e-commerce facility in West Jefferson, Ohio to better serve its online sales. On March 16, 2021, Joann went public on the Nasdaq market under the ticker symbol “JOAN.” Leonard Green & Partners owns a majority stake in the company allowing it to nominate up to five directors. COVID-19 lockdown controversy During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jo-Ann received public criticism for keeping many of their stores open amidst health concerns for elderly customers and refusing paid sick leave for employees affected by COVID-19. Jo-Ann defended themselves in a statement by claiming that their free mask kits helped local hospitals, which allowed the stores to be considered "essential business," despite many hospitals rejecting homemade masks. Michigan's governor, Gretchen Whitmer, forced stores to close down in the state after Jo-Ann sent a letter requesting to not be included in stay-at-home orders. Whitmer stressed that the same materials used to create masks are able to be sold online without in-person contact. Most of the materials used in the free mask kits were later revealed to be remnants, which are often sold by Jo-Ann at a discount, leading some media outlets to disparage the program as "just scraps from the clearance bin". References External links Jo-Ann Home Page Corporate Profile at Bloomberg News 1943 establishments in Ohio American companies established in 1943 Arts and crafts retailers Companies based in Ohio Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange Retail companies established in 1943 Retail companies of the United States Hudson, Ohio 2011 mergers and acquisitions 2021 initial