New York (CNN Business) A.C. Moore, an arts and crafts retailer, is closing its doors and joining the growing graveyard of dead retail brands.

The 34-year-old company announced Monday that it will close 145 of its stores, which are primarily scattered across the East Coast. Nicole Crafts, its parent company, said in a press release that it was "very difficult for us to operate and compete on a national level."

A.C. Moore's website will stop accepting orders immediately, but previous orders won't be impacted. Information about specific store closure sales will soon be posted on its website, the company said.

Forty of A.C. Moore's stores and an East Coast distribution facility will be acquired by former rival Michaels, which sells similar items. The affected stores will be reopened under the new brand next year. The transaction will help grow Michaels' footprint to roughly 1,300 stores in 49 states and solidify its position as the country's largest arts and crafts retailer.

been facing tougher online competition from Amazon AMZN Etsy ETSY Target TGT The craft space, similar to other sectors, hasbeen facing tougheronline competition fromand other brick-and-mortar rivals likeand Joann. The latter revamped its brand last year and dropped "Fabrics" from its name to showcase all of the items it sells.

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