A cornerstone of downtown Bismarck is vanishing. J & R Vacuum & Sewing, a business that’s served the community for nearly 50 years, is closing its doors — with final sales underway and full closure expected by mid-November. Residents say the loss will be deeply felt.
J & R Vacuum & Sewing has been operating for 49 years in downtown Bismarck, offering vacuum repair, sewing & embroidery services, parts, and related supplies.
The owner, Jim Barnhardt, says the business began in the basement of Bismarck’s Patterson Building and eventually grew into a recognized specialty shop.
Over time, loyal staff and customers helped sustain it through changing retail trends and economic cycles.
The store’s final days are marked by “going-out-of-business” sales, with discounts and clearance events planned through September and October.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Bismarck’s retail scene, changes are also afoot: the Kmart building is slated to become a Hobby Lobby in 2026, as part of a retail shift in the community.
For Bismarck residents, J & R has been more than a store — it’s been a reliable local partner:
Quilters, hobbyists, and homeowners have relied on its parts and repair services when national chains could not help.
Downtown foot traffic, already challenged by retail trends, now loses a longtime anchor business.
Some customers say they’ll have to travel further or adjust their hobbies due to this closure.
The shift also symbolizes how small, specialized retail businesses are struggling amid online competition and rising costs.
It’s not just J & R that’s changing — the retail landscape in Bismarck is evolving. Hobby Lobby’s move into the former Kmart building shows new opportunities.
“I’ve always told my staff that everything will be okay if we keep our focus on the customer, and that’s pretty much worked for me for almost 50 years now.” - Jim Barnhardt, Owner
J & R’s closure marks the end of an era for downtown Bismarck. While the retirement of a small-business owner is natural, the ripple effects—on customers, downtown vitality, and the local sewing/repair niche—will be felt for years. Yet as J & R bows out, new retail moves like the incoming Hobby Lobby reflect that Bismarck’s commercial core is still evolving. For those who counted on J & R, the challenge now is where to go next — and how the community will fill that void.
