Will Hobby Lobby close stores in 2022? All you must know!
The Hobby Lobby has long been a place frequented by craft lovers, filled with materials for them to collect. The retail company has more than 900 stores in nearly every U.S. state, but many of them appear to be under threat of closure over the controversy over Hobby Lobby’s history a few years ago. People started boycotting and shunning the brand, questioning its future operations.
So, will Hobby Lobby close in 2022? If you’re interested in the full details, stay tuned!
Hobby Lobby Operation Summary
David Green opened the first Hobby Lobby store in Oklahoma in 1972. From this starting point, in late 1982, seven more locations were soon established across the state before the brand’s influence exploded and reached more than 900 stores.
The main focus of the Hobby Hall is arts and crafts. But over time, with all the modifications in its specialty, it grew the business, adding other niches such as kitchenware or furniture in later years. Now, as you visit each location, you may come across the following items.
- arts and crafts materials
- Wedding supplies
- photo frame
- ornamental items
- cooking utensils
- party supplies
As a faithful Christian, David Green has incorporated certain values into his business, and even at this point it is upheld. The most obvious is the Hobby Lobby’s non-working Sundays, giving employees more time to worship their loved ones.
It is also commendable that its policies are based on ethics. Their full-time employees earn more than $18 an hour (recorded in 2022), well above the minimum wage for most retail employees (about $14)
Will Hobby Lobby close stores in 2022?
A few years ago, the Hobby Lobby faced backlash for some questionable practices, but it wasn’t serious enough to warrant a massive shutdown. The 2020 shutdown comes from a raging pandemic and stay-at-home orders. This applies to many retail chains, not just Hobby Lobby.
The brand is trying to stay in business during the crisis. But they mistakenly believed the situation wasn’t serious enough, sparking a negative public reaction. They were found to have extended their open house in Colorado until officials were contacted.
so, Is the hobby hall closed?
Not exactly, all workers in their locations are being forced to take unpaid leave even when work is suspended. Incentive aspects of employment at Hobby Lobby (vacation and other vacation benefits) are suspended.
However, they will still have access to dental and other related health insurance, which will last until the day the store reopens. This is just a furlough, other benefits will resume when business gets back on track.
This standstill period finally came to an end in June 2020, when Hobby Lobby issued an official statement about reopening nationwide.
How is it now? Will Hobby Lobby close in 2022? Fortunately, no. The company’s operations have been running smoothly, and there are no signs of closing branches in 2022.
Hobby Lobby’s current financial situation
Hobby Lobby’s financial reports are not public, but observations of its activity show business growth. The increase in store count was most pronounced as it increased from no more than 840 locations in 2019 to more than 900 locations today.
Also, Hobby Lobby has not resorted to cutting wages. Hourly wages have reached $18.50 in 2022 and may continue to rise in the future.
Their domestic-only shipping policy has more impact on their current financial situation. It doesn’t ship anywhere but US states, which means the brand feels like it’s making a lot of money in this US-only market.
Will the Hobby Lobby of the Future be permanently closed?
Will the Hobby Lobby permanently close?
The straight answer is, no. Barring another Covid-29-like crisis, the company is unlikely to face a prolonged shutdown. After the first stores in Waterville and Bangor reopened in April 2020 (they sell goods deemed essential by law), business has gradually picked up, although only a certain number of employees and customers can be in store at a time. within a few weeks after re-operation.
From May 2020 to July 2020, as stay-at-home orders were gradually lifted, Hobby Lobby made a slow but steady comeback. Social distancing has been mandatory and numerous protocol standards have to be met throughout the pandemic, but they have not had a significant impact on the service it provides to customers.
The Hobby Lobby has now reopened nationwide from 9am to 8pm, with Sunday being a day off as per their regular policy. They agreed to take steps to address the potential risk of the virus spreading and will follow government regulations on wearing masks or maintaining social distancing to create a hygienic shopping environment. Their business continues without any problems and the chances of a complete shutdown are fairly low.
in conclusion
Hobby Lobby is closing? Facing Covid 19, a place all too familiar for craft lovers has been going through a rough patch. But rest assured, the nationwide shutdown will only last during this time. As of now, there are zero signs that it will go out of business anytime soon. In fact, rising wages and its stable position in the market all but suggest that such concerns are unnecessary, and these places will continue to be your shopping choices.
