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/A 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/A 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/A 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 September 9, 2003 /s/ FRANK NEWMAN September 9, 2003 - ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- Alan Rosskamm Frank Newman /s/ BRIAN P. CARNEY September 9, 2003 /s/ BERYL RAFF September 9, 2003 - ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- Brian P. Carney Beryl Raff /s/ SCOTT COWEN September 9, 2003 /s/ GREGG SEARLE September 9, 2003 - ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- Scott Cowen Gregg Searle /s/ IRA GUMBERG September 9, 2003 /s/ TRACEY THOMAS TRAVIS September 9, 2003 - ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- Ira Gumberg Tracey Thomas Travis