WARREN — Arts, crafts and hobby retailer Michaels will close all 36 Pat Catan’s retail stores in Ohio and surrounding states, but one dozen will be rebranded and open as Michaels sometime later this year.

It’s unclear, however, if the Pat Catan’s stores on Ridge Avenue SE in Warren, Mahoning Avenue in Austintown or on Doral Drive in Boardman, will be among the 12 that will reopen under the Michaels’ banner.

A message seeking comment fromMichaels’ public relations was not returned.

Michaels, according to release from the company, will maintain a support center and distribution center in Strongsville, where Pat Catan’s is headquartered and stayed after Michaels purchased the company in early 2016 for $150 million.

“We believe these changes will provide more value for customers and shareholders by enabling us to leverage a more consistent merchandise assortment and eliminate duplicative retail operating expenses,” Chuck Rubin, chairman and CEO of The Michaels Companies, said in a statement Wednesday.

It’s also unclear what will happen to employees at the stores that will close.

“This was not an easy decision, and I am grateful for the contributions of our Pat Catan’s team members. As we work through the closing process, we intend to provide employment opportunities or transition support for all team members,” Rubin said.

The Pat Catan’s brand, according to Rubin’s statement, “has struggled in the face of industry headwinds,” although the company has gone through a “significant expansion” of its China-based sourcing team and growth in its wholesale business, all of which were part of the Lamrite West purchase in 2016.

Lamrite West is the company that operated Pat Catan’s, and Lamrite was also the first craft supply store in Cleveland by Pat Catanzarite, also known as Pat Catan, that evolved into the craft center chain.

Locally, Pat Catan’s has stores at 1923 Ridge Ave. SE, Warren, which is less than two miles away from the nearest Michaels at the Eastwood Mall Complex. Other Pat Catan’s stores are at 1280 Doral Drive, Boardman, which is less than one mile from the nearest Michaels, 365 Boardman Canfield Road, and at 6000 Mahoning Avenue in Austintown, which is about 10 miles away from the Boardman Canfield Road Michaels.

There are also stores elsewhere in Ohio and in Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia and Indiana.

Michaels is North America’s largest arts, crafts, framing and more merchandiser with more than 1,200 stores in 49 states under the Michaels, Aaron Brothers and Pat Catan’s brands.