CLEVELAND — Pat Catan’s Arts and Crafts stores in Ohio and surrounding areas will close, according to its owner, Michaels, whose owners say the chain of stores has struggled in a changing retail industry.
Twelve of the closed Pat Catan’s stores will reopen under the Michaels brand. Sixteen of the 35 Pat Catan's locations are in or near Northeast Ohio. It is unknown at this time which stores will be re-branded and which will close.
The distribution and support center in Strongsville will remain intact.
"We believe these changes will provide more value for customers and shareholders by enabling us to leverage a more consistent merchandise assortment and eliminate duplicative retail operating expenses,” said Chuck Rubin, chairman and CEO of The Michaels Companies, in a release. “This was not an easy decision, and I am grateful for the contributions of our Pat Catan’s Team Members. As we work through the closing process, we intend to provide employment opportunities or transition support for all Team Members.”
In 2016, Michaels Companies acquired Lamrite West, a private company in Ohio with a wholesale division, a small sourcing office in China and Pat Catan's retail stores.
“Over the last three years, we have delivered value through the significant expansion of our China-based sourcing team and the growth of our wholesale business. However, the Pat Catan’s retail business has struggled in the face of industry headwinds," Rubin said in a release.
The company did not say when Pat Catan's stores will close.
