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                                                                      Exhibit 23


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report on the financial statements of the Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. Employees' Savings
and Profit-Sharing Plan dated May 7, 1999, included in this Form 11-K into the
Company's previously filed Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the
Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. Employees' Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan (#33-32809).




Arthur Andersen LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
June 29, 1999.