Hobby Lobby

I am writing an update after giving this location another chance. I was a bit harsh the first time around.
Although some of the employees need an in-​service in professional interaction on a retail level, I sense that this chain is not the most generous to its staff. That being said, there are some good, dedicated employees here.
The selection is broader than Michael’s with a slightly different and broader focus.
As far as the review by Maria B is concerned, I applaud Hobby Lobby for standing up for its principles, regardless of whether I agree with them or not. She may be surprised to find that the employees are just that: employees and not slaves. They are free to work where ever they want.

While I have usually found the staff at the George Urban store to be helpful and courteous today was not the case. It’s a shame one person can ruin an experience. I walked up to the cashier, Haley, and asked where I might find an item since I didn’t see anyone in the rest of the store. She said um oh I don’t think we have that. Well I know for a fact the store does indeed carry this item. Perhaps it was moved to a different part of the store or they were out of it. When I suggested that she just shrugged. I asked if there was someone in the store I could ask since I had not seen anyone. She said my best bet was to walk along the perimeter of the store to find someone. I said I had already walked the entire store that I would just go to Michaels. I purchased my other items said thank you and got an unhuh. Extremely disappointed and truth be told will not be shopping at this location anymore.

If you’re planning a trip to Hobby Lobby, make sure you have a spare… oh, three hours. Not because the store is a disaster or a mad house by any means, but because you will get lost, in what I call «Hobby Lobby Land» upon entering.
It’s kind of scary that this location is so close and convenient to me. I catch myself running in for «something quick», only to be found emerging an hour or so later.
Things I love:
–They have everythinggggg… under the sun. Things I couldn’t even imagine they would have… things I *NEED* once I find they do have them.
–Huge holiday selection — Christmas, Easter, 4^th of July, fall… you name it, they’ve got it. I’m not just talking plates, napkins, and ornaments; I am talking coffee mugs, decorative cookie jars, center pieces.
–Fantastic gifts — They have an array of wonderful gifts you could give — as bought, or modify & craft your own creation.
–My favorite things to pick up here: picture frames, serving trays/​platters, house decorations, baskets, Christmas gift supplies.
–Everything is *mostly*, always on sale! (Frames ARE always 50% off — always. The holiday aisle is usually 40% off, and I don’t mean just at the end of the season. For example, fall/​autumn décor is already on display, and 40% off.) They always have coupons online, every week. You can print them out and use one per customer, per day — 40% off any full price item. They have what I call «secret» aisles that have random décor (mirrors, frames, wall décor, shelves) for 80 to 90% off! Yesterday I found multiple items that were originally priced at $ 150+ marked down to $ 20 – 25. They also had certain décor, marked as low as $ 2.00! I almost bought it just for the hell of it!
Things that bother me (a little):
–Aisles aren’t labeled — you need to get to know the store (or ask an associate)
–Associates aren’t always easily located — you have to hunt them down sometimes (not a good thing, if you are in a hurry)
–Store hours — They aren’t open on Sundays; they are only open during the week until 8pm. These hours do NOT extend at Christmas/​Holiday time and it is a major pain in the you know what.
I have spent countless hours in Hobby Lobby, always searching for supplies for bridal showers, holiday décor, gifts, and crafts, etc., — I have never once left saying «Oh, I couldn’t find what I needed». You always find WAYYYYY more than you need.

Full disclosure I’m a Michaels shopper. I know my way around those stores.
However when I was out in the area and swinging by Key Bank I noticed this Hobby Lobby in the same strip mall with Wegmans and the DMV. Truth be told I would likely not be aware of them if it were not that they have been in the news for a year or so trying to become a «person». They succeeded. Inexplicably I was able to walk around inside said person and consider buying things.
All sorts of things. Bar chairs. Materials. Cloth. Christmas supplies (yes an aisle devoted to them in July). Ribbon, unending choices of ribbon sizes, colors, widths, feels. Various painting supplies and other writing utensils. And more. Much much more. I would have been able to describe more if the aisles were marked. My goodness it’s hard to find things there. I suppose because it’s inside a person and I’m not a dr.
I believe in their right to their views. That’s what makes this country great. But why don’t they believe the same thing? And how can they actually be a «person» and have the rights of a person when they are a profit making company. Seriously.
I will readily concede they are closed Sundays to «allow employees time to worship and for family» according to a sign on the door. That’s great. But what if said employee is Jewish for example. Perhaps Sat would be better for them. Regardless I am glad they are able to close Sundays, their choice. Why can’t their female employees have the same ability to make choices that are right for them?
Anyway, I won’t be spending money here for a few reasons,
it’s hard to find things (1 star),
the pricing is not always clear on things (1 star),
they don’t carry the craft paper quality I like to use (2 stars because they do offer choices, just not ones I feel are a good quality),
they don’t carry the adhesive type I like and what they do carry was on the pricier side (1 star),
location is not one I’m at often (3 stars as it works for others I’m sure),
Imposing your religion on employees and only female employees at that (1 star, but I’d go lower if I could).
All in all this store is a little bit Pier One, a lot Michales/​AC Moore, and half of Joanne Fabrics. I admit that’s a great combination. One stop shopping if you like their products, and many of the furniture type things looked nice actually, if a little pricier than I would have expected. If you are crafty in various different mediums this is probably a good stop. But I’m sticking with Michael’s, better location for me, clearly marked aisles, clearly priced items, and of course they don’t single out women for different treatment. As a woman that’s important to me. What can I say.

5 stars for variety of stuff here & the chain in general. Great sales after holidays & I believe they take competitor coupons.
0 stars for my shopping experience after Christmas. I was rung up at 66% off when it was supposed to be 90 off. It took over an hour & 4 employees to refund my order & re-​ring it up. First they refunded me 2/​3off (not the same as the 66%). then manager got it all right & another employee hit «purchase» instead of «refund,» so I was charged again. There are no barcodes on their tags, so every single thing had to be typed in by hand. They charged me twice for the wrong prices, refunded me twice & then charged me once again at 90% off. Yikes!
And several other shoppers were charged incorrectlywhile I was there. It was mostly a communication problem among the employees on the registers. Everyone was told something different as far as % off & how to ring people up.
Next time I go, I’ll watch carefully while I’m checking out, leave the chilluns at home, & plan on an extra hour…
Check your receipts, shoppers.

Thank goodness someone’s doing something with an old Ames building!
Hobby Lobby is your one stop shop for all your favorite crafts and home decorating needs.
Think Jo-Ann’s Fabric meets Big Lots.
Lots of furniture for home and garden, a framing department, three aisles of scrapbooking materials and silk flowers.

I first walked into my first Hobby Lobby in Michigan. Looking them up on the web I was so disappointed they did not have one anywhere nearby.
Picture this: Late October a groggy yellow jacket is flying around my father’s van while we are drivng. I quietly tell him about the bee and sit watching it calmly for about 15 minutes. We pull into the parking lot for the local DMV and I scream, «OH MY GOSH! WE HAVE A HOBBY LOBBY!!! My poor Dad almost piled up the car.
I had to wait till they actually opened a week later but know this will be my new choice for craft supplies. It’s like Michaels, Joann’s and a bit of Pier One all wrapped up in one stop. Pricing, very good, their fabric selection is decent though they don’t have many remnants yet, give them time.
Check them out. Plenty of parking and everyone is so nice and helpful there.