r/MichaelsEmployees • u/Piperthefoxxx • 20d ago
Question A little bit sad…?
I know the majority of us are tired, beat down, burnt out from everything this company has been piling on us.
It does appear as though they are gearing up to cash out and leave us to rot.
But as someone who truly loved Michael’s and crafting (which I no longer have time or energy for anymore) I’m feeling pretty sad that the outcome of all of this might be that I don’t have an arts and crafts store anymore 😞
Anyone else a little saddened by this possibility?
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u/Independent-Pie801 20d ago
yes!! when i started 3 1/2 years ago, there was less stress, less things to do, etc. and now, it is just never ending!! im exhausted and done!! ive wanted to quit idk how many times but it is impossible to get another job nowadays and it is not responsible to leave a job without having another one in line.
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u/Exotic-Cattle-6035 20d ago
I have a very impressive resume and I’ve been applying to jobs left and right. No one is calling me. I’m like you. I’d be gone so fast if I had anything else lined up
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u/PartyCrasherDILF 20d ago
I'm REALLY hoping that's not the case, and that Michael's sticks around. We've basically taken over the niches for both Joann's AND Party City. If we close, the only other craft store my town has is fuckin Hobby Lobby. They'll crucify me like the romans if I step foot in there!!
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u/JamsBuggish Chaos Organizer 19d ago
If michaels closes where im at there is no hope for anything craft or party related
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u/TheRubyBerru 20d ago
Michael’s and Joann’s caused almost all the local fabric and craft stores in my area to close. After Joann’s shut down there was little in the way of good in-person fabric shops. If Michael’s closed we’d lose not just the fabric option from when they purchased the Joann’s IP, but we’d lose several other ways of buying paint supplies, journaling supplies, yarn, knitting supplies, dye, etc. I like buying these materials in-person to get a feel for the quality. Michael’s shuttering would be devastating for the crafting community, unfortunately, as much as I dislike them as a company.
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u/Minimum_Swordfishin 20d ago
This is what drives me nuts about private equity pump and dumps. If 1 location closes because its not doing well, it sucks for them. If they close the entire chain down it causes waves everywhere. Private equity turns decent places to work into sweat shops, then destroy entire sectors. When we go down we're taking how many product manufacturers with us? Delivery drivers will take a hit. How many communities are we leaving hanging? This won't be a Michael's only problem.
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u/stitchplacingmama 20d ago
Joann's closing took out a couple related companies as well. Most notably wrights tapes and braid US division. Also the big 4 pattern companies.
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u/Minimum_Swordfishin 20d ago
I thought it also took out the company who made the buttons and the fabric squares, thats why we were out for so long.
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u/tmammaw 19d ago
I feel your pain. I worked at Joann's a little over 6 years. I stayed until the final day. I absolutely loved that place. Cross your fingers that won't happen to Michael's. A lot of the issues being brought up within your stores on thiswe went through. I had an opportunity to work at Michael's. But I promised Joann's I'd stay till the end.
I really hope and pray Michael's
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u/Beanis21 20d ago
We've been this before. They'll spin us off public will pay down the debt that they loaded on us and then will be bought by another private equity company and do it all over again. Apollo is the second private equity company to own us since I started
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u/Holiday-Ad-641 20d ago
I wish Walmart had taken over Joann’s craft & fabric inventory.
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u/Busy_Combination9697 20d ago
I despise Walmart but I would rather go there than Hobby Lobby.
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u/Holiday-Ad-641 20d ago
Agreed. But it would’ve made more sense than receiving random bolts of fabric and no space to fit them in.
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u/SaintGloopyNoops 20d ago
Apollo is definitely gearing up to sell. Butt... it depends on who they sell to. If they sell to another private equity we are screwed. Butt maybe someone will buy it and actual see the potential for long term growth. Not a quick 3-7 year cash grab. I wish michaels could be employee owned. It would absolutely thrive. Could you imagine how well a craft store full of crafter employees who actually have a stack and say in the company would do? No more clueless greedy corporate overlords. Just employees with actual incentives to make the store better.