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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MRc2tClIEFM8vzkgf1qEM2Jl+p3S70L6Ug1/ameWAABL4+n/74bj6YKcnkq0suSU
 irwdOIYYNTOtY6gnIZ3MaQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950116-03-003803.txt : 20030905
<SEC-HEADER>0000950116-03-003803.hdr.sgml : 20030905
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030905145458
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950116-03-003803
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030829
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030905

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			A C MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001042809
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-HOBBY, TOY & GAME SHOPS [5945]
		IRS NUMBER:				223527763
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 UNIVERSITY COURT
		CITY:			BLACKWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08012
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6092286700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 UNIVERSITY COURT
		CITY:			BLACKWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08012

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LESSER RICHARD G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001109066

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23157
		FILM NUMBER:		03883605

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 VOLVO PARKWAY
		CITY:			CHESAPEAKE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23320
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7573215120

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 VOLVO PARKWAY
		CITY:			CHESAPEAKE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23320
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>p326958_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-08-29</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001042809</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>A C MOORE ARTS &amp; CRAFTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ACMR</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001109066</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LESSER RICHARD G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>500 VOLVO PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHESAPEAKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23320</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Director Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>26.67</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-08-29</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>20000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-08-29</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>20000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>20000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeTransaction>
 </derivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> This option vests in three equal annual installments beginning August 29, 2004. The filing of this Statement shall not be construed as an admission (a) that the person filing this Statement is, for the purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended), the beneficial owner of any equity securities covered by this Statement, or (b) that this Statement is legally required to be filed by such person.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Leslie H. Gordon, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-09-05</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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