SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------

                                  SCHEDULE 13G*
                                  (Rule 13d-2)

             INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
           TO RULES 13d-1(b), (c) AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
                              PURSUANT TO 13d-2(b)

                                (Amendment No. )

                            A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts,
                                      Inc.
                                (Name of Issuer)

                           Common Stock, no par value
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    00086T103
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                  July 8, 2008
             (Date of event which requires filing of this statement)


     Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
Schedule 13G is filed:
     [ ]  Rule 13d-1(b)
     [X]  Rule 13d-1(c)
     [ ]  Rule 13d-1(d)





                              (Page 1 of 13 Pages)
----------------
     *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the
Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).





CUSIP No. 00086T103                 13G                  Page 2 of 13 Pages

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                           Adage Capital Partners, L.P.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [ ]
                                                                  (b)  [X]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                            Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                  1,096,000
OWNED BY       ___________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
            BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
            IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
            BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 5.4%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                  PN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





CUSIP No. 00086T103                  13G                  Page 3 of 13 Pages

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                           Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [ ]
                                                                  (b)  [X]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                            Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                  1,096,000
OWNED BY       ___________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
            BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
            IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
            BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 5.4%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                 OO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





CUSIP No. 00086T103                 13G                  Page 4 of 13 Pages

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                           Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [ ]
                                                                  (b)  [X]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                            Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                  1,096,000
OWNED BY       ___________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
            BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
            IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
            BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 5.4%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                  OO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





CUSIP No. 00086T103                 13G                   Page 5 of 13 Pages

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                                 Robert Atchinson
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [ ]
                                                                  (b)  [X]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                            United States
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                  1,096,000
OWNED BY       ___________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY
            OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
            IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
            BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 5.4%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                  IN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





CUSIP No. 00086T103                 13G                   Page 6 of 13 Pages

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                                 Phillip Gross
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [ ]
                                                                  (b)  [X]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                            United States
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                  1,096,000
OWNED BY       ___________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
            BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                  1,096,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
            IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
            BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 5.4%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                  IN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





CUSIP No. 00086T103                 13G                   Page 7 of 13 Pages

Item 1(a).     Name of Issuer:

     The name of the issuer is A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. (the "Company").

Item 1(b).     Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:

     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 130 A.C. Moore
Drive, Berlin, NJ 08009

Item 2(a).     Name of Person Filing:

     This statement is filed by:
          (i) Adage Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
              ("ACP") with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly owned
              by it;
         (ii) Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C., a limited liability company
              organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("ACPGP"), as
              general partner of ACP with respect to the shares of Common Stock
              directly owned by ACP;
        (iii) Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a limited liability company
              organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("ACA"), as
              managing member of ACPGP, general partner of ACP, with respect to
              the shares of Common Stock directly owned by ACP;
         (iv) Robert Atchinson ("Mr. Atchinson"), as managing member of ACA,
              managing member of ACPGP, general partner of ACP with respect to
              the shares of Common Stock directly owned by ACP; and
          (v) Phillip Gross ("Mr. Gross"), as managing member of ACA, managing
              member of ACPGP, general partner of ACP with respect to the shares
              of Common Stock directly owned by ACP.

              The foregoing persons are hereinafter sometimes collectively
referred to as the "Reporting Persons." Any disclosures herein with respect to
persons other than the Reporting Persons are made on information and belief
after making inquiry to the appropriate party.

Item 2(b).     Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence:

     The address of the business office of each of the Reporting Persons is 200
Clarendon Street, 52nd floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.

Item 2(c).     Citizenship:

     ACP is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware.  ACPGP and ACA are limited liability companies organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware.  Messrs. Gross and Atchinson are citizens of the
United States.

Item 2(d).     Title of Class of Securities:

     Common Stock, no par value (the "Common Stock")





CUSIP No. 00086T103                 13G                   Page 8 of 13 Pages

Item 2(e).  CUSIP Number:

 00086T103

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b) or 13d-2(b) or
(c), check whether the person filing is a:

          (a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act,

          (b) [ ] Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act,

          (c) [ ] Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act,

          (d) [ ] Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the
                  Investment Company Act of 1940,

          (e) [ ] Investment Adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E),

          (f) [ ] Employee Benefit Plan or Endowment Fund in accordance with
                  13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F),

          (g) [ ] Parent Holding Company or control person in accordance with
                  Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G),

          (h) [ ] Savings Association as defined in Section 3(b) of the
                  Federal Deposit Insurance Act,

          (i) [ ] Church Plan that is excluded from the definition of an
                  investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment
                  Company Act of 1940,

          (j) [ ] Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

     If this statement is filed pursuant to 13d-1(c), check this box:  [x]

Item 4.   Ownership.

         A.   Adage Capital Partners, L.P., Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.
and Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.
                  (a) Amount beneficially owned: 1,096,000
                  (b) Percent of class: 5.4% The percentages used herein and in
                      the rest of Item 4 are calculated based upon the
                      20,298,601 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
                      as of May 6, 2008 as reflected in the Form 10-Q for the
                      quarterly period ended March 31, 2008 filed by the Company
                      on May 12, 2008.
                  (c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
                    (ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 1,096,000
                   (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
                    (iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:
                         1,096,000.





CUSIP No. 00086T103                  13G                  Page 9 of 13 Pages

         ACP has the power to dispose of and the power to vote the shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned by it, which power may be exercised by its
general partner, ACPGP. ACA, as managing member of ACPGP, directs ACPGP's
operations. Neither ACPGP nor ACA directly own any shares of Common Stock. By
reason of the provisions of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Act"), ACPGP and ACA may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by
ACP.

         B.   Robert Atchinson and Phillip Gross
                  (a) Amount beneficially owned: 1,096,000
                  (b) Percent of class: 5.4%
                  (c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
                    (ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 1,096,000
                   (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
                    (iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:
                         1,096,000.

                  Messrs. Atchinson and Gross, as managing members of ACA, have
shared power to vote the Common Stock beneficially owned by ACP. Neither Mr.
Atchinson nor Mr. Gross directly own any shares of Common Stock. By reason of
the provisions of Rule 13d-3 of the Act, each may be deemed to beneficially own
the shares beneficially owned by ACP.


Item 5.     Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

     Not applicable.


Item 6.     Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

     ACPGP, the general partner of ACP, has the power to direct the affairs of
ACP, including decisions respecting the disposition of the proceeds from the
sale of Common Stock. Messrs. Atchinson and Gross are the Managing Members of
ACA, the managing member of ACPGP, and in that capacity direct ACPGP's
operations.


Item 7.     Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired
the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.

     Not applicable.


Item 8.  Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

     Not applicable.





CUSIP No. 00086T103                 13G                  Page 10 of 13 Pages

Item 9.  Notice of Dissolution of Group.

     Not applicable.


Item 10.  Certification.

     Each of the Reporting Persons hereby makes the following certification:

          By signing below each Reporting Person certifies that, to the best of
its knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and
are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing
the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not
held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that
purpose or effect.





 CUSIP No. 00086T103                  13G                Page 11 of 13 Pages

                                   SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our knowledge and belief, the
undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.


DATED:  July 18, 2008

                                ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.

                                By:  Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.,
                                     its general partner

                                By:  Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
                                     its managing member

                                /s/ Robert Atchinson
                                ------------------------------
                                Name:  Robert Atchinson
                                Title: Managing Member


                                ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS GP, L.L.C.
                                By:  Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
                                     its managing member

                                /s/ Robert Atchinson
                                ------------------------------
                                Name:  Robert Atchinson
                                Title: Managing Member


                                ADAGE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.

                                /s/ Robert Atchinson
                                ------------------------------
                                Name:  Robert Atchinson
                                Title: Managing Member


                                ROBERT ATCHINSON

                                /s/ Robert Atchinson
                                ------------------------------
                                ROBERT ATCHINSON, individually


                                PHILLIP GROSS

                                /s/ Phillip Gross
                                ------------------------------
                                PHILLIP GROSS, individually





CUSIP No. 00086T103                  13G                Page 12 of 13 Pages


                                    EXHIBIT 1

                           JOINT ACQUISITION STATEMENT

                            PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(k)

          The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing statement on
Schedule 13G, is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that all
subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13G, shall be filed on
behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional
joint acquisition statements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be
responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness
and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained therein, but
shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information
concerning the others, except to the extent that he or it knows or has reason to
believe that such information is inaccurate.


DATED:  July 18, 2008

                                ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.

                                By:  Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.,
                                     its general partner

                                By:  Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
                                     its managing member

                                /s/ Robert Atchinson
                                ------------------------------
                                Name:  Robert Atchinson
                                Title: Managing Member


                                ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS GP, L.L.C.
                                By:  Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
                                     its managing member

                                /s/ Robert Atchinson
                                ------------------------------
                                Name:  Robert Atchinson
                                Title: Managing Member


                                ADAGE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.

                                /s/ Robert Atchinson
                                ------------------------------
                                Name:  Robert Atchinson
                                Title: Managing Member





CUSIP No. 00086T103                  13G                Page 13 of 13 Pages



                                ROBERT ATCHINSON

                                /s/ Robert Atchinson
                                ------------------------------
                                ROBERT ATCHINSON, individually


                                PHILLIP GROSS

                                /s/ Phillip Gross
                                ------------------------------
                                PHILLIP GROSS, individually