Jo-Ann Fabric files building permit for Moses Lake store

MOSES LAKE - National retailer Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is making progress on their move to Moses Lake. A company spokesperson confirmed in February they were planning on opening a new Jo-Ann store in Moses Lake sometime in 2014, according to a previous Columbia Basin Herald article. At the time, company officials declined to share more details about the new store, including the location.

However, job postings for positions at the Moses Lake store appeared on the retailer's website in mid-February. Four management positions were posted for a Jo-Ann store at "1020 Stratford Rd." (the former Kmart building is located at 1020 Stratford Road in Moses Lake).

The retailer's move into the new Moses Lake Town Center was confirmed in documents filed with the City of Moses Lake this week. A company official submitted a building permit application Wednesday for the interior build-out of one of the units in the former Kmart building.

The company plans to make tenant improvements to their space, including adding new interior finishes and restrooms. They are occupying roughly 16,500 square feet of the town center.

Improvements are expected to cost about $265,000, according to their permit application.

Jo-Ann operates close to 800 stores in 49 states, as well as an online storefront, according to information on the company's website.

Jo-Ann is headquartered in Hudson, Ohio, with a distribution center there as well as in Visalia, Calif. and Opelika, Ala.

The company employs more than 23,000 employees nationwide.