A.C. Moore is cutting back

Retailer A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts Inc. is closing several stores and cutting back on opening new ones.

The Berlin, N.J.-based company, which has 139 stores, from Maine to Florida, blames the retail environment and says it will close seven to 10 underperforming stores.

The company also says it may relocate some stores and is negotiating with authorities to expand its Berlin distribution center in lieu of building a second one. *