A.C. Moore Now Closing Every Connecticut Store

MANCHESTER, CT — All four Connecticut locations in the A.C. Moore arts and crafts retail chain will be closing as part of a nationwide liquidation in tightening market, the parent company, Nicole Crafts, announced Monday.

New online orders have been suspended and Matthew Pascucci of Mackinac Partners has been appointed chief restructuring Officer of A.C. Moore, company officials said.

"For over 30 years, our stores have been servicing the creative community with a vast selection of art and craft materials, with one common focus, the customer, said Anthony Piperno, chief executive officer of A.C. Moore. "Unfortunately, given the headwinds facing many retailers in today's environment, it made it very difficult for us to operate and compete on a national level. During this process, we will continue to provide great customer experience, while still delivering quality and value on your favorite products."

The official word was that, "plans for closing specific A.C. Moore locations will be shared in the upcoming weeks on our website," but staffers answering the phone in Manchester and Plainville indicated the stores there would be shuttered by Jan. 19.

Staffers at the Orange and New London locations said they were not given actual closing dates.

"While we will stop accepting further online orders as of (Monday), we will ship any previously placed orders in the ordinary course," Piperno said.

The Manchester store closing was announced last month and the other three stores are now doomed in the national move by the arts and crafts giant.

A.C. Moore has been in business for 34 years and has 145 of its stores, most along the eastern seaboard.

Rival Michaels, will acquire 40 A.C. Moore stores and re-open them next year, according to the announcement. Michaels' holdings will grow to about 1,300 stores in 49 states in the move.