# AC Moore **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/ac-moore **Vertical:** Consumer Retail **Subcategory:** General **Tier:** Unknown **Website:** acmoore.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Former arts and crafts retail chain that closed all 135+ stores in 2019-2020 after bankruptcy; 40 locations converted to Michaels, leaving Michaels and Hobby Lobby as dominant craft retailers. ## Company Overview AC Moore was an arts and crafts specialty retail chain that operated 135+ stores primarily in the eastern United States — offering art supplies, framing, fabric, seasonal crafts, and home décor materials to DIY enthusiasts and crafters. Founded in 1985 in Moorestown, New Jersey by Jack Parker, AC Moore competed in the specialty craft retail market alongside Michaels and Hobby Lobby until closing all of its stores in 2019-2020 after filing for bankruptcy protection. The chain's entire store portfolio was closed and approximately 40 locations were converted to Michaels stores.\n\nAC Moore's business model was similar to Michaels — big-box format stores with extensive craft supplies, regular weekly promotional sales (often percentage-off coupon events similar to Michaels' famous blue coupons), and custom framing services. The company had geographic concentration in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with a loyal regional customer base that valued the store's assortment for needlecrafts, scrapbooking, and seasonal decorating. AC Moore's closure left its Mid-Atlantic customer base to shift to Michaels and, in some locations, Hobby Lobby.\n\nIn 2025, AC Moore exists as a historical brand reference — the company completed its store closures in 2020 and is no longer operating as a retail business. The craft retail market consolidation continued with AC Moore's closure and Jo-Ann Fabric's 2024 bankruptcy, leaving Michaels and Hobby Lobby as the two dominant specialty craft retailers in the United States. The former AC Moore customer base was partially captured by the 40 Michaels conversions from AC Moore locations, providing geographic coverage continuity for craft enthusiasts in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets where AC Moore had operated. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is AC Moore? AC Moore was a retail chain specializing in arts and crafts supplies, serving customers primarily throughout the Northeast United States. The company operated over 145 retail locations and offered a wide selection of craft materials, art supplies, DIY products, and hobby items for both hobbyists and professional craftspeople. ### When was AC Moore founded and who founded it? AC Moore was founded in 1985 by Jack Parker in Moorestown, New Jersey. It started as a regional craft supply retailer in the Northeast and grew to become a significant player in the arts and crafts retail market before its closure in 2019. ### What products did AC Moore sell? AC Moore offered a comprehensive range of arts and crafts supplies including paints, brushes, canvases, fabric, yarn, beads, scrapbooking materials, seasonal crafts, DIY kits, and hobby supplies. The store catered to various creative pursuits including painting, drawing, quilting, jewelry making, and general crafting. ### Where was AC Moore located? AC Moore operated 145 retail stores primarily across the Northeast United States before its closure. The chain was strongest in the Mid-Atlantic region, with significant presence in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and surrounding states. ### What made AC Moore unique compared to competitors? AC Moore positioned itself as a convenient, regional alternative to national chains by maintaining strong local presence in Northeast communities. The company focused on personalized customer service and competitive pricing to differentiate itself from larger competitors in the arts and crafts retail space. ### When did AC Moore go public and what was its stock ticker? AC Moore went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange in 1997 under the ticker symbol ACMR. The IPO provided capital for the company's expansion and growth during the late 1990s and 2000s as it competed in the growing arts and crafts retail market. ### What happened to AC Moore in 2011? In 2011, AC Moore was acquired by Nicole Crafts and taken private. This acquisition marked a shift from public company status to private equity ownership, which significantly changed the company's operational and financial structure during the final years before bankruptcy. ### Why did AC Moore close its stores? AC Moore filed for bankruptcy in 2019, closing all 145 stores due to increased competition from larger chains like Michaels and Hobby Lobby that had greater scale, buying power, and resources. The company was unable to compete effectively with these national competitors who offered similar products at competitive prices. ### When did AC Moore close all its stores? AC Moore completed its liquidation and closed all 145 stores in November 2019. The closure resulted in the layoff of approximately 5,000 employees and marked the end of the 34-year retail operation. ### What happened to AC Moore's assets after the bankruptcy? Following the bankruptcy liquidation in 2019, Michaels acquired AC Moore's assets for approximately $30 million. This acquisition allowed Michaels to acquire AC Moore's inventory, store locations, and customer base, further consolidating Michaels' position in the arts and crafts retail market. ### Who were AC Moore's main competitors? AC Moore's primary competitors were national chains Michaels and Hobby Lobby, both of which had significantly larger scale, more locations nationwide, and greater purchasing power. These competitors were able to undercut prices and offer wider selections, making it difficult for the regional chain to maintain market share. ### What was AC Moore's business model? AC Moore operated as a traditional brick-and-mortar retail chain, generating revenue through in-store sales of arts and crafts supplies. The business model relied on store traffic in regional markets, customer loyalty, and competitive pricing to drive sales and profitability. ### Can I still shop at AC Moore today? No, AC Moore no longer operates. All stores closed in November 2019 during the bankruptcy liquidation. However, many of AC Moore's former locations and customer base were acquired by Michaels, which continues to serve customers looking for arts and crafts supplies. ### What caused AC Moore to fail despite having 30+ years of operation? AC Moore struggled to compete with larger national chains that had superior economies of scale, lower operational costs, and greater marketing resources. The rise of e-commerce, changing consumer shopping habits, and the inability to match the pricing and selection of bigger competitors ultimately led to the company's bankruptcy and closure. ### Was AC Moore only located in the Northeast? Yes, AC Moore was primarily a Northeast regional chain, with the strongest presence in the Mid-Atlantic region. While the company may have had limited expansion into other areas, it never developed the nationwide footprint of competitors like Michaels or Hobby Lobby, limiting its growth potential. ## Tags b2c, retailtech --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*