Hobby Lobby lays out April opening; Pushed back from initial target of March
Published 9:08 am Friday, February 8, 2019
- Construction workers brave the drive snow late Thursday at the site of the old Target building. Hobby Lobby, one of two stores going in the spot with Furniture USA, has announced it’s looking at an April opening. Photoas by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Hobby Lobby Stores, a national retail chain of craft and home decor stores, is eyeing a spring opening for the new site in Austin.
Construction is underway on the existing 50,000 square-foot building, formerly occupied by Target, located on 18th Avenue Northwest and Highway 218.
The Austin store is projected to open in early April, joining the existing 16 stores already in the state. The location will bring about 35 to 50 jobs to the community, paying $15.70 per hour for full-time and $10.45 per hour for part-time associates.
“Once you visit Hobby Lobby, you will see that we are very unique, offering the widest variety of merchandise in the craft and home decor market under one roof,” stated Kelly Black, Director of Advertising. “We’re tremendously excited about becoming a part of the Austin community.”
The announcement that Hobby Lobby was coming to Austin was initially made in October of last year.
“At this time, we can confirm that a lease has been signed and we are estimating a March 2019 opening,” according to an email statement at the time of the announcement.
Construction continues on what will be Hobby Lobby and Furniture USA at the site of the former Target building.
Furniture Mart USA, parent company of Ashley HomeStore and La-Z-Boy Furniture, purchased the entirety of the 90,000-square foot site, purchasing it in December of 2017. The initial indication the the site would be shared by both businesses came in September when an application for a sign permit featured Ashley HomeStore, La-Z-Boy Furniture and Hobby Lobby.
Hobby Lobby has over 800 stores across the nation. Each store offers more than 70,000 crafting and home decor products including floral, fabric, needle art, custom framing, baskets, home accents, wearable art, arts and crafts, jewelry making, scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sunday.
Hobby Lobby Stores began as Greco, a miniature picture frame company in 1970. When David Green moved his business from the family garage to a 300 square-foot retail space in 1972, Hobby Lobby was born. It is now the nation’s largest privately owned arts and crafts retailer.
For more information about Hobby Lobby, weekly specials, coupon offers, store locations and online shopping, visit hobbylobby.com, download the mobile app or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/hobbylobby.
