UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549


                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

                         Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 23, 2003


                         A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, INC.
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        Pennsylvania                  000-23157                 22-3527763
----------------------------       --------------          ---------------------
(State or other jurisdiction         (Commission               (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)               File Number)           Identification No.)



               500 University Court
                   Blackwood, NJ                                 08012
     ----------------------------------------            -------------------
     (Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code   (856) 228-6700
                                                   ----------------------

                                 Not Applicable
                       -----------------------------------
                         (Former name or former address,
                          if changed since last report)






Item 5.  Other Events
         ------------

         The following information is qualified in its entirety by, and should
be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial data,
including the financial statements of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. (the
"Company") and its subsidiaries, and the notes thereto, appearing in the
Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
This Current Report on Form 8-K, may contain certain forward-looking statements
regarding the Company's business and prospects that are based upon numerous
assumptions about future conditions which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate
and actual events and results may materially differ from anticipated results
described in such statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties and any one or a combination of these risks could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.

         Mr. Richard Drake, a director of the Company, has advised the Company
that on April 23, 2003 he amended his written plan with Adams, Harkness & Hill,
Inc., which he adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act,
relating to the exercise of stock options and future sales of the Company's
common stock. Mr. Drake's amended plan provides for the sale of shares of the
Company's common stock at prices of $19.00 or higher. All other terms of his
amended plan are the same as described in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed
by the Company on November 7, 2002.





                                       2





                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                       A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, INC.


Date: May 1, 2003                      By:  LESLIE H. GORDON
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Leslie H. Gordon
                                            Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                                   Executive Vice President