EXHIBIT 24

                             DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

    RE:  Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.
         Commission File No. 1-6695
         1934 Act Filings on Form 10-K
         For Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2003

Gentlemen:

The above Company is the issuer of securities registered under Section 12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act"). Each of the persons signing his or
her name below confirms, as of the date appearing opposite his or her signature,
that Alan Rosskamm, Brian P. Carney, and each of them, are authorized on his or
her behalf to sign and to submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission such
filings on Form 10-K as are required by the Act. Each person so signing also
confirms the authority of Alan Rosskamm, Brian P. Carney, and each of them, to
do and perform on his or her behalf, any and all acts and things requisite or
necessary to assure compliance by the signing person with the Form 10-K filing
requirements. The authority confirmed herein shall remain in effect as to each
person signing his or her name below until such time as the Commission shall
receive from such person a written communication terminating or modifying the
authority.



                                            DATE                                                     DATE
                                            ----                                                     ----
                                                                                      
         /s/ ALAN ROSSKAMM               May 2, 2003               /s/ SCOTT COWEN                May 2, 2003
- ------------------------------------                      -----------------------------------
           Alan Rosskamm                                             Scott Cowen

        /s/ BRIAN P. CARNEY              May 2, 2003               /s/ FRANK NEWMAN               May 2, 2003
- ------------------------------------                      -----------------------------------
          Brian P. Carney                                            Frank Newman

        /s/ BETTY ROSSKAMM               May 2, 2003               /s/ IRA GUMBERG                May 2, 2003
- ------------------------------------                      -----------------------------------
          Betty Rosskamm                                             Ira Gumberg

        /s/ ALMA ZIMMERMAN               May 2, 2003               /s/ GREGG SEARLE               May 2, 2003
- ------------------------------------                      -----------------------------------
          Alma Zimmerman                                             Gregg Searle

                                                                    /s/ BERYL RAFF                May 2, 2003
                                                          -----------------------------------
                                                                      Beryl Raff