(Updates)
** Shares of arts and crafts retailer Joann JOAN.O down as
much as 21% at 18.26 cents
** JOAN files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
** Co says will receive commitments for about $132 mln in
new financing after agreement with majority of its financial and
industry stakeholders
** Expects to reduce funded debt on its balance sheet by
about $505 mln; will go private and no longer be listed on
Nasdaq or other stock exchanges
** Says to complete bankruptcy process as early as
late-April 2024
** JOANN's stores, website will remain open and continue to
operate as normal without disruption in services for customers,
vendors, landlords, and other trade creditors, it adds
** Stock rose nearly 19% in 2023, and is up ~5% so far this
year
(Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru)
((AnujaBharat.Mistry@thomsonreuters.com))