Meanwhile,

a lease has been signed for a 42,000-sq. ft. Jo-Ann etc store

in Fayetteville,.

The store will

be at Fayette Pavilion off Pavilion Parkway. Construction began in November

2000 and an August 2001 opening is anticipated. Other stores in the Pavilion

include Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Dekor.

The new store

will be the first in Fayetteville. There are five other Jo-Ann etc stores

in Georgia, all in the Greater Atlanta area. In addition, there are 12

traditional Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts stores of approximately 15,000

square feet each in Georgia.

Jo-Ann etc

is the company's newest brand, with stores three times larger than traditional

fabric and craft stores, featuring expanded fabric and crafting products,

a full schedule of educational programs and new custom services side by

side in a creative setting.

"The Jo-Ann

etc concept is designed as an entertainment destination for sewing, craft

and home décor enthusiasts through samplings, displays, demonstrations

and classes and workshops for people of all ages and experience levels,"

said Alan Rosskamm, president and CEO of Jo-Ann Stores Inc.

"It's

an exciting concept for fabric and craft enthusiasts in a megastore setting,

a first in this $11 billion sewing and craft industry."

The first Jo-Ann

etc store opened in late 1995 next to the parent company headquarters

in Hudson, Ohio. There are 58 stores nationwide, with 12 scheduled to

open in 2001.

Jo-Ann Stores

Inc., based in Hudson, currently operates more than 1,000 stores nationwide

under the names Jo-Ann etc and Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts. The publicly

traded parent company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as JAS.A

and JAS.B. The company's Web site address is www.joann.com .

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