CLEVELAND, Ohio - Michaels confirmed this morning that all Pat Catan’s stores will close, although up to 12 will be rebranded as Michaels with plans to reopen later this year.

“After a comprehensive review, we have made the difficult decision to close the Pat Catan’s retail stores," said Chuck Rubin, chairman and CEO of the Michaels Companies, in a statement. "We expect to rebrand and reopen up to 12 stores as new Michaels stores in fiscal 2019, and we will continue to maintain a support center and distribution center in Strongsville, Ohio to support our growing wholesale business. 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.”

Irving Texas-based Michaels did not immediately confirm what will happen to the current Pat Catan’s employees, and employees at the Bedford location said they have not heard any details about when the stores are expected to close. Employees said they were only told to direct media to Michaels' Texas headquarters. However, Rubin offered a statement in the press release.

“This was not an easy decision, and I am grateful for the contributions of our Pat Catan’s Team Members," he said. "As we work through the closing process, we intend to provide employment opportunities or transition support for all Team Members.”

In February 2016, the locally founded, family-run crafts and decor retailer, was acquired by Michaels Companies Inc. for $150 million. Michaels Companies Inc. is the largest arts and crafts retailer in North America, based in Irving, Texas.

At the time of the acquisition Michaels said Lamrite West, the name of the company Pat Catanzarite founded in 1954 to supply craft supplies, would keep its team and headquarters in Strongsville. And unlike what often happens after mergers, Pat Catan's arts and crafts stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia would continue to operate independently under Michaels. A spokeswoman also said employees at the company, as well its wholesale business, called Darice Inc. would all keep their jobs. At the time of the merger Lamrite West had about 1,600 employees.

Michaels owns and operates more than 1,200 stores in 49 states and Canada under the brand.

Rubin said in the release that Michaels is making progress on its long-term strategy to increase market share and expand its leadership position within the arts and crafts industry.

"In support of this strategy, in 2016 we acquired Lamrite West, a privately-held company in Ohio with a wholesale division, a small sourcing office in China and a small retail chain called Pat Catan’s Arts & Crafts Stores, which was operated as outlets for the wholesale business,” Rubin said.

“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.”

Pat Catan’s fiscal 2018 net sales are projected to be about $111 million. The company expects the one-time after-tax cost of implementing restructuring changes will be in the range of $44 million to $48 million, consisting primarily of costs associated with the termination of the remaining lease obligations, the write-off of fixed assets, costs associated with liquidation, and employee-related expenses.

Pat Catan's has 16 stores in Northeast Ohio, including locations in Akron, Amherst, Austintown, Bedford, Boardman, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, North Canton, North Ridgeville, Painesville, Parma, Strongsville, Warren, Westlake, Willowick, and Wooster.

Aaron Moore, 49, of Maple Heights was shopping at the Bedford location when he heard about the store closings. He said he’s disappointed.

“I really don’t think that they should close,” Moore said. “I shop here for the Hell Raisers Motorcycle Club. We do a lot of outreach in the community and you can find anything you need here for crafts, like baskets, wood crafts, and paints. It’s like a mini Walmart for crafters.”

Several shoppers expressed negative sentiments about the closings, using descriptions like “sad” and a “huge loss for the community.”

Sedonia East, of Maple Heights, called the news of closing Pat Catan’s devastating, because the store has great prices and a vast selection of crafts and supplies.

“I’m a fashion designer and I’m really crafty so I’m always shopping in here. I’ve probably only been in a Michael’s store once, but I love Pat Catan’s and I also shop at JoAnn Stores."

“Why buy them if you’re just going to close the stores?”