EXHIBIT 99.1
                         A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, INC.


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


This certification is intended to accompany the Quarterly Report of A.C. Moore
Arts & Crafts, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31,
2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof
(the "Report"), and is given solely for the purpose of satisfying the
requirements of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. I, John E. Parker, hereby certify in my capacity
as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, that:

                  (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of
                           section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
                           of 1934; and

                  (2)      The information contained in the Report fairly
                           presents, in all material respects, the financial
                           condition and results of operations of the Company.


                                               John E. Parker
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               John E. Parker
                                               Chief Executive Officer

Date:    May 14, 2003




A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. and will be retained by A.C. Moore
Arts & Crafts, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or
its staff upon request.