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Other Current Retail => Other Current Retail => Topic started by: retailisking on May 24, 2012, 11:35:51 PM

Title: Hobby Lobby
Post by: retailisking on May 24, 2012, 11:35:51 PM
Hobby Lobby has signed a letter of intent to locate a store in East Haven, CT
http://easthaven.patch.com/articles/hobby-lobby-signs-letter-of-intent-for-east-haven-store
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: retailisking on November 27, 2012, 04:10:26 PM
Hobby Lobby is coming to Bangor
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/26/business/bangors-stillwater-plaza-plan-now-includes-hobby-lobby/
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: jmcnamara96 on November 27, 2012, 07:53:30 PM
Hobby Lobby has been in Manchester NH for over a year now in what was the Burlington Coat Factory (before that was a K-MART) off S.Willow Street there prices are a tad over priced but with the 40% off coupon they publish every sunday in the local paper i can get model cars for about 11 dollars which i like but i feel bad that im taking my business to them over the local hobby shop two doors down
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Zayre88 on November 27, 2012, 08:23:45 PM
I went to that store in Manchester, nice and very large store.  It's A.C.Moore + Michaels under one roof.

That day they had a lot of stuff on sale at 40% and 50% off which was a very good deal.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: retailisking on August 15, 2013, 03:51:16 PM
Hobby Lobby may be coming to the old Rutland, VT Hannaford
http://www.timesargus.com/article/20130812/BUSINESS03/708129989/1006/BUSINESS
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on August 19, 2013, 07:56:33 AM
Excerpt for the Joann's next door (in the old KMART Foods) I think Hobby Lobby would be a great replacement for KMART in Waterbury of course they would've have to divide the building into two spaces.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on January 16, 2014, 06:39:04 PM
There is a rumor that Hobby Lobby will be coming to Bristol, CT in the former Sears Appliance and Hardware Store/Salvation Army.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on January 28, 2014, 02:31:27 PM
Quote from: Marc B on January 16, 2014, 06:39:04 PM
There is a rumor that Hobby Lobby will be coming to Bristol, CT in the former Sears Appliance and Hardware Store/Salvation Army.

Confirmed, but they're looking for a separate tenant for the space Sears was using for their garden center.

http://saugatuckcommercial.com/property081.html#
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on January 29, 2014, 05:03:07 PM
And right after I posted this on the U're Probably From Bristol Facebook Group someone posted a link to a letter supposedly from the head of Hobby Lobby saying they were going to close all 500+ stores in 41 states because of something that The President of the United States did that they don't agree with. Keeping politics off this board (politics DO NOT belong on this board), has anyone been able to confirm whether or not this is true?
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: bubcolbert1952 on January 29, 2014, 11:50:18 PM
If so, they WON'T be missed by me. Good riddance! Their stores regardless of location always have seemed to attract a very rough crowd. I do admire them for filling empty spaces that nobody else wants, but AC Moore or possibly Jo-Ann Fabrics would probably fill most of their empty stores in a heartbeat if they went under. Big Lots also would, or Stein Mart, or Goodwill, or Burlington Coat Factory, or Total Wine & More, etc.

Hobby Lobby can be described in one word by the name of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM0Nh82GWsM

Due to foul language in the original song I posted an instrumental.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on February 04, 2014, 02:54:10 PM
Page 6 of today's Bristol Press confirms Hobby Lobby is coming to Bristol, CT. They hope to start renovating the old Sears Appliance & Hardware Store/Salvation Army in March and open by late June. If you can deal with their religious beliefs they pay very well too. And how many retail jobs are there where you get every Sunday off? That sounds like a perk to me.  :)
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on March 28, 2014, 05:00:24 PM
Hobby Lobby won't let The Bristol Auto Club have their Saturday Night Car shows any more. The Bristol Auto Club has been having their Cars there for many many years. Sears had no problem with them using that spot. http://www.bristolautoclub.com/
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Stork of The Weak on April 01, 2014, 04:48:26 PM
I think the empty (or is it still empty?) former Super G/Shop N Save/Super Fresh in Yardley PA could be split into Hobby Lobby and Big Lots. These two would be great at the site because the only other Big Lots in Bucks County is in an old, dead, seedy plaza in Fairless Hills, and Hobby Lobby opened a store in Easton (in the Lehigh Valley of PA) not too long ago. Easton and Yardley are many miles apart but are both right on the line between PA and NJ.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: store215 on April 01, 2014, 08:38:33 PM
Quote from: Stork of The Weak on April 01, 2014, 04:48:26 PM
I think the empty (or is it still empty?) former Super G/Shop N Save/Super Fresh in Yardley PA could be split into Hobby Lobby and Big Lots. These two would be great at the site because the only other Big Lots in Bucks County is in an old, dead, seedy plaza in Fairless Hills, and Hobby Lobby opened a store in Easton (in the Lehigh Valley of PA) not too long ago. Easton and Yardley are many miles apart but are both right on the line between PA and NJ.

I'm pretty sure I read a few weeks ago that Yardley store will soon become a ShopRite. Yardley is a very high income area..definitely not Big Lots material. (But yeah, there is definitely room for Big Lots to grow in the Philadelphia burbs (plenty of empty spaces in Warminster!). Same with Harbor Freight tools..I would love to have one of those closer to me.
I don't think we really have a need for Hobby Lobby in this area, IMO. We already have the regional AC Moore, plus Michael's and JoAnn (which seems to have recently expanded in the area). Their political stances aren't too great either..I think that kind of stuff only flies down south  ;D.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Stork of The Weak on April 04, 2014, 03:46:03 PM
Has the former Acme in Morrisville (near Yardley) become anything yet? Since Morrisville is poor compared to Yardley, I would think Big Lots/Hobby Lobby would be good for the spot. Anyway what's your point about the politics of Hobby Lobby? I don't necessarily agree with them but the chain has already come north, but so far is in only rural areas of PA and NJ.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on April 17, 2014, 02:12:37 PM
There was another article in today's Bristol Press (that's not online) about Hobby Lobby coming to Bristol, Connecticut. It's been listed on HOBBYLOBBY.COM for a couple weeks now. And as of last week there is a Hobby Lobby Coming Soon sign next to the plaza sign at the Bristol Farms Plaza on Route 6 in Bristol. As of today it still doesn't look like construction has started yet. They're also coming to Jasper, Alabama. I only mention that because a friend of mine owns a non-profit radio station in Jasper called 100.1 FOX-FM.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on May 29, 2014, 02:11:58 PM
Some work has started at the site of the Bristol, CT store. Today I saw one guy measuring the exterior of the building. There were some other people around too. The doors of the old Sears Hardware (which is part of the space Hobby Lobby will occupy) were open and there were blueprints sitting on top of a stolen Walmart shopping cart.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on June 12, 2014, 11:37:07 AM
I sh*t you not. This morning when I stopped by the Bristol site to take some pictures one of the contractors ran out of the store with a gun telling me if I take any pictures he was going to shoot me.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TheFugitive on June 12, 2014, 12:34:37 PM
Quote from: Marc B on June 12, 2014, 11:37:07 AM
I sh*t you not. This morning when I stopped by the Bristol site to take some pictures one of the contractors ran out of the store with a gun telling me if I take any pictures he was going to shoot me.

Did you report that to the police?  You can't go and threaten people while brandishing a firearm.

Must have been some major code violations going on in there that they didn't want you to see.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Stork of The Weak on June 12, 2014, 02:16:42 PM
Quote from: Marc B on June 12, 2014, 11:37:07 AM
I sh*t you not. This morning when I stopped by the Bristol site to take some pictures one of the contractors ran out of the store with a gun telling me if I take any pictures he was going to shoot me.

WTF?!!!!
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on June 12, 2014, 08:03:32 PM
I talked to a friend of mine who owns his own business. His thoughts on what happened was that the contractor is pulling a Workman's Comp Scam.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Stork of The Weak on June 16, 2014, 12:56:12 PM
Hobby Lobby has a store in Conroe, TX which is remarkable because it once was a Woolco, then an early Texas Walmart, yet it still looks Woolco inside and out. Walmart moved in 1995 to have a Supercenter across the street.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on July 05, 2014, 12:17:40 PM
3 new locations in Connecticut will be opening this fall.

Bristol - 1235 Farmington Ave (Formely Sears Appliance & Hardware and the Salvation Army) on October 3rd.

Manchester - Buckland Hills Drive (formerly Sports Authority) September 12th.

Milford -  1777 Boston Post Road (formerly Sports Authority) October 10th.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TRU7536 on July 05, 2014, 07:54:29 PM
Quote from: Marc B on July 05, 2014, 12:17:40 PM
3 new locations in Connecticut will be opening this fall.

Bristol - 1235 Farmington Ave (Formely Sears Appliance & Hardware and the Salvation Army) on October 3rd.

Manchester - Buckland Hills Drive (formerly Sports Authority) September 12th.

Milford -  1777 Boston Post Road (formerly Sports Authority) October 10th.

So looks like hobby lobby only has one store in CT right now and they are probably looking to expand in the  northeast next few years.

I don't expect one in Newington any time soon though. I looked them up and their typical stores square footage is from 40,000 to 50,000 sf, they are big stores. There is no available square footage like that on the pike.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Scrabbleship on July 06, 2014, 02:09:30 PM
Quote from: TRU7536 on July 05, 2014, 07:54:29 PM
Quote from: Marc B on July 05, 2014, 12:17:40 PM
3 new locations in Connecticut will be opening this fall.

Bristol - 1235 Farmington Ave (Formely Sears Appliance & Hardware and the Salvation Army) on October 3rd.

Manchester - Buckland Hills Drive (formerly Sports Authority) September 12th.

Milford -  1777 Boston Post Road (formerly Sports Authority) October 10th.

So looks like hobby lobby only has one store in CT right now and they are probably looking to expand in the  northeast next few years.

After last Monday, will anyone in the northeast want to even shop there? I'm trying to keep this on the topic of retail, but their politics may scare potential customers off.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TheFugitive on July 07, 2014, 11:21:53 AM
Quote from: Scrabbleship on July 06, 2014, 02:09:30 PM
Quote from: TRU7536 on July 05, 2014, 07:54:29 PM
Quote from: Marc B on July 05, 2014, 12:17:40 PM
3 new locations in Connecticut will be opening this fall.

Bristol - 1235 Farmington Ave (Formely Sears Appliance & Hardware and the Salvation Army) on October 3rd.

Manchester - Buckland Hills Drive (formerly Sports Authority) September 12th.

Milford -  1777 Boston Post Road (formerly Sports Authority) October 10th.

So looks like hobby lobby only has one store in CT right now and they are probably looking to expand in the  northeast next few years.

After last Monday, will anyone in the northeast want to even shop there? I'm trying to keep this on the topic of retail, but their politics may scare potential customers off.


That's why there are plenty of other places to shop for your hobby supplies if that's how strongly you
feel about the issue.

Is this a great country or what?
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on July 07, 2014, 02:14:53 PM
Quote from: TheFugitive on July 07, 2014, 11:21:53 AM
That's why there are plenty of other places to shop for your hobby supplies if that's how strongly you
feel about the issue.

Is this a great country or what?

Exactly.  :) Just like if you don't like Walmart you can shop at Target. If you don't like Target and you live in The Midwest you can go to Shopko. If you don't like McDonald's you can go to Burger King. Etc Etc Etc.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on July 14, 2014, 08:44:37 AM
Connecticut's 2 senators - Murphy and Bluementhal are both going after Hobby Lobby.

http://foxct.com/2014/07/14/connecticut-disagrees-with-supreme-court-decision/
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TheFugitive on July 14, 2014, 12:15:13 PM
Quote from: Marc B on July 14, 2014, 08:44:37 AM
Connecticut's 2 senators - Murphy and Bluementhal are both going after Hobby Lobby.

http://foxct.com/2014/07/14/connecticut-disagrees-with-supreme-court-decision/

1) If they are United States Senators, then they ought to know that a Supreme Court ruling
that says the US Federal Government cannot require this will surely apply to the State of
Connecticut as well.  Thus what they are doing is merely a publicity stunt meant to appeal
to people who disagree with the court's decision.

2) If they are truly "going after" Hobby Lobby that is something known as a Bill of Attainder
which is specifically prohibited in the US Constitution.   You cannot single out an individual or
specific company for legislative punishment.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on September 15, 2014, 05:04:24 PM
Hobby Lobby had its soft opening in Manchester, Connecticut on Wednesday September 10th and their Grand Opening today 9/15.

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-hobby-lobby-opens-in-manchester-20140911,0,3178051.story
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Bdubs on September 15, 2014, 07:44:55 PM
How does anything in Manchester survive? A.C. Moore, Michael's, JoAnn Fabric, and now Hobby Lobby. They all sell pretty much h the same merchandise.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on September 15, 2014, 08:32:47 PM
Quote from: Bdubs on September 15, 2014, 07:44:55 PM
How does anything in Manchester survive? A.C. Moore, Michael's, JoAnn Fabric, and now Hobby Lobby. They all sell pretty much h the same merchandise.

The lady that was in charge of the hiring event for the Bristol store at the Hampton Inn in Farmington (She was also in charge of the hiring event for Manchester) said Michael's, Joann's, and Hobby Lobby are right near one another where she lives in Massachusetts and all 3 do really well.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: BillyGr on September 16, 2014, 08:53:06 AM
Probably that they draw people from a wider area - as if someone is looking for craft related items it would be the best place to go. 

It gives the option to compare prices and if one store doesn't have what you want, maybe another one will, rather than going to one and then having to travel to a different area if that store doesn't have the item(s) you are looking for.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TheFugitive on September 16, 2014, 11:57:44 AM
Just noticed one open here in Pittsburgh yesterday, in the old
Hills Store #60 location in Robinson Township.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on September 16, 2014, 01:50:32 PM
Hobby Lobby also has a large home-decor section, something the others don't have. At orientation they said the ones in Connecticut are smaller stores than other locations. If that is the case I wonder why in Bristol they didn't take the old Marshall's too. That would've given them an additional 23,000 square feet. Since they didn't take the old Garden Center from Sears Appliance and Hardware I think the Bristol store is 45,000 Square feet.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: MikeRa on September 18, 2014, 05:28:36 PM
Quote from: Stork of The Weak on April 04, 2014, 03:46:03 PM
Has the former Acme in Morrisville (near Yardley) become anything yet? Since Morrisville is poor compared to Yardley, I would think Big Lots/Hobby Lobby would be good for the spot. Anyway what's your point about the politics of Hobby Lobby? I don't necessarily agree with them but the chain has already come north, but so far is in only rural areas of PA and NJ.
There is plans to demolish the Morrisville Acme Sav-on and replace it with a Wawa and a stand alone drugstore.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on September 30, 2014, 07:36:02 PM
Bristol, CT was supposed to have their opening tomorrow Oct 1st, but the building inspector probably won't be coming until Thursday.  :(
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Bdubs on October 08, 2014, 08:21:32 PM
You guys weren't kidding. The Manchester store is massive. A ton of home decor on top of every kind of hobby you can think of with at least on aisle for everything! I couldn't get my girlfriend out of there.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on October 08, 2014, 10:09:36 PM
Quote from: Bdubs on October 08, 2014, 08:21:32 PM
You guys weren't kidding. The Manchester store is massive. A ton of home decor on top of every kind of hobby you can think of with at least on aisle for everything! I couldn't get my girlfriend out of there.

Did you see all the stuff for Men they have? Metal signs with car logos on them, gas station signs, a section of merchandise for people who like westerns, metal signs with movie stuff on them, a section if you have a beach theme to your home or man-cave.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Bdubs on October 11, 2014, 03:56:35 PM
The man cave area was by far my favorite spot. That and the aisle with all of the models in it. Wish that store was around when I was younger.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on December 02, 2014, 10:42:25 AM
After another successful week I asked my manager on Saturday if Hobby Lobby was planning on opening any more stores in Connecticut next year and beyond and he said it's possible. He said maybe the greater Danbury area, perhaps the Torrington area, and maybe the Newington area.

I told him Newington is probably out because there is no space big enough on The Berlin Turnpilke for a store. I did however mention the Webster Square Plaza in Berlin which is just off The Berlin Turnpike. I also told him about feedback I heard from customers and they would like Waterbury area and/or Meriden area.

My co-workers on the other hand say all the locations except for Danbury are really too close to our store in Bristol. I'm not sure what Hobby Lobby's radius requirements are.  Of the 4 stores in Connecticut the 2 stores closest to one another are East Haven and Milford. 

I suggested to my manager for Meriden the old JC Penney at the Westfield Meriden Square Mall and he said for the most part Hobby Lobby doesn't do malls. He said rents at malls are typically much higher than at a regular shopping center. The only Hobby Lobby in a mall around my area would be the one at the Holyoke Mall in Holyoke, Mass. I don't know if there are any in any other malls around the country. If they were to do Meriden (which I doubt the will) I see 2 options - take part of the old 68,000 Sqaure Foot  Railroad Salvage in Centennial Plaza on West Main Street (the plaza with the small Stop & Shop in it) or take part of the former Lowe's on East Main Street.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: AmesNewington on December 02, 2014, 06:36:55 PM
Quote from: Marc B on December 02, 2014, 10:42:25 AM
After another successful week I asked my manager on Saturday if Hobby Lobby was planning on opening any more stores in Connecticut next year and beyond and he said it's possible. He said maybe the greater Danbury area, perhaps the Torrington area, and maybe the Newington area.

I told him Newington is probably out because there is no space big enough on The Berlin Turnpilke for a store. I did however mention the Webster Square Plaza in Berlin which is just off The Berlin Turnpike. I also told him about feedback I heard from customers and they would like Waterbury area and/or Meriden area.

My co-workers on the other hand say all the locations except for Danbury are really too close to our store in Bristol. I'm not sure what Hobby Lobby's radius requirements are.  Of the 4 stores in Connecticut the 2 stores closest to one another are East Haven and Milford. 

I suggested to my manager for Meriden the old JC Penney at the Westfield Meriden Square Mall and he said for the most part Hobby Lobby doesn't do malls. He said rents at malls are typically much higher than at a regular shopping center. The only Hobby Lobby in a mall around my area would be the one at the Holyoke Mall in Holyoke, Mass. I don't know if there are any in any other malls around the country. If they were to do Meriden (which I doubt the will) I see 2 options - take part of the old 68,000 Sqaure Foot  Railroad Salvage in Centennial Plaza on West Main Street (the plaza with the small Stop & Shop in it) or take part of the former Lowe's on East Main Street.

My mom would love if Hobby Lobby came to Newington. She always sees the Bristol store when we go to ShopRite across the street. Sure, there may be no big enough spaces on the Berlin Turnpike, however, what if Stop and Shop in the old Shaw's decides to close? Who knows what will become of that store in the future. I believe they might have picked up Shaw's lease until 2016 if I got my facts correct. Since Michael's will be moving at the beginning of next year to Berlin, there would be no overlap of a craft store in the same plaza, and Newington would gain back a store of this kind. JoAnn, Etc. is the other one. They could take 1/2 of the supermarket and lease the remaining half to someone else. It's a huge store. Webster Square in Berlin is another good idea. I'm still hoping a family like the Bristol/Waterbury ShopRite family would open a ShopRite there. The strip of vacancies from the old Ocean State Job Lot/Waldbaums, the movie theater and other small stores which are boarded up, and the long demolished Woolworth's space would be perfect spots for both stores, and they would defiantly draw people to that area. What a winning line of retailers (ShopRite, Hobby Lobby, Ocean State Job Lot, Harbor Freight Tools) including Family Dollar, the Chinese restaurant, and two upcoming smaller tenants.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TRU7536 on December 15, 2014, 08:43:30 PM
Quote from: AmesNewington on December 02, 2014, 06:36:55 PM
Quote from: Marc B on December 02, 2014, 10:42:25 AM
After another successful week I asked my manager on Saturday if Hobby Lobby was planning on opening any more stores in Connecticut next year and beyond and he said it's possible. He said maybe the greater Danbury area, perhaps the Torrington area, and maybe the Newington area.

I told him Newington is probably out because there is no space big enough on The Berlin Turnpilke for a store. I did however mention the Webster Square Plaza in Berlin which is just off The Berlin Turnpike. I also told him about feedback I heard from customers and they would like Waterbury area and/or Meriden area.

My co-workers on the other hand say all the locations except for Danbury are really too close to our store in Bristol. I'm not sure what Hobby Lobby's radius requirements are.  Of the 4 stores in Connecticut the 2 stores closest to one another are East Haven and Milford. 

I suggested to my manager for Meriden the old JC Penney at the Westfield Meriden Square Mall and he said for the most part Hobby Lobby doesn't do malls. He said rents at malls are typically much higher than at a regular shopping center. The only Hobby Lobby in a mall around my area would be the one at the Holyoke Mall in Holyoke, Mass. I don't know if there are any in any other malls around the country. If they were to do Meriden (which I doubt the will) I see 2 options - take part of the old 68,000 Sqaure Foot  Railroad Salvage in Centennial Plaza on West Main Street (the plaza with the small Stop & Shop in it) or take part of the former Lowe's on East Main Street.

My mom would love if Hobby Lobby came to Newington. She always sees the Bristol store when we go to ShopRite across the street. Sure, there may be no big enough spaces on the Berlin Turnpike, however, what if Stop and Shop in the old Shaw's decides to close? Who knows what will become of that store in the future. I believe they might have picked up Shaw's lease until 2016 if I got my facts correct. Since Michael's will be moving at the beginning of next year to Berlin, there would be no overlap of a craft store in the same plaza, and Newington would gain back a store of this kind. JoAnn, Etc. is the other one. They could take 1/2 of the supermarket and lease the remaining half to someone else. It's a huge store. Webster Square in Berlin is another good idea. I'm still hoping a family like the Bristol/Waterbury ShopRite family would open a ShopRite there. The strip of vacancies from the old Ocean State Job Lot/Waldbaums, the movie theater and other small stores which are boarded up, and the long demolished Woolworth's space would be perfect spots for both stores, and they would defiantly draw people to that area. What a winning line of retailers (ShopRite, Hobby Lobby, Ocean State Job Lot, Harbor Freight Tools) including Family Dollar, the Chinese restaurant, and two upcoming smaller tenants.

There is no room on the Berlin Turnpike for Hobby Lobby and it sucks. Whatever is available is to small for a store that is about 40,000 square feet.

Why not open stores in North Haven, Norwalk, and Waterford.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on December 15, 2014, 10:14:41 PM
Quote from: TRU7536 on December 15, 2014, 08:43:30 PM
There is no room on the Berlin Turnpike for Hobby Lobby and it sucks. Whatever is available is to small for a store that is about 40,000 square feet.

3 Questions:

1. Is there any vacant land available on The Turnpike where they can build a brand new building?

2. What's wrong with Chris's suggestion above that they build a store in Webster Plaza in Berlin?

3. What if the Stop & Shop on Kitts Lane closes in 2016? Couldn't they take part of that space?
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TRU7536 on December 15, 2014, 11:34:15 PM
Quote from: Marc B on December 15, 2014, 10:14:41 PM
Quote from: TRU7536 on December 15, 2014, 08:43:30 PM
There is no room on the Berlin Turnpike for Hobby Lobby and it sucks. Whatever is available is to small for a store that is about 40,000 square feet.

3 Questions:

1. Is there any vacant land available on The Turnpike where they can build a brand new building?

No on the newington side there isn't any vacant lots that would fit a hobby lobby. HB stores are about 40,000 sf and I seen some lots that would fit stores up to 30,000 sf like where best buy is located. I don't know if HB would consider a smaller store, you would probably know more than I would with that answer.

2. What's wrong with Chris's suggestion above that they build a store in Webster Plaza in Berlin?

I think it would be a great idea, but I don't know how they choose their locations, since the plaza isn't seen on the busy turnpike. You should ask them and see what they say.

3. What if the Stop & Shop on Kitts Lane closes in 2016? Couldn't they take part of that space?

Do we know if stop and shop will close this location in 2016? I have gone on a few Sunday's and the place is always packed. I still never understood why they opened one there, would still love to see a shoprite or Burlington coat factory at that site if they did decide to close it.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: AmesNewington on December 16, 2014, 09:15:45 AM
If Hobby Lobby wanted to open on Webster Square Road, but didn't feel the old Webster Square Shopping Center had a big enough space for their store (still hoping for a ShopRite some day), there is a huge lot across the street in between Schaller Subaru and CT Tire that is for sale. Not sure if it would be big enough, but it was supposed to be a small shopping center years ago, but was scrapped.

I can't believe S&S in the old Shaw's gets so much business. Maybe the weekends, but it's always dead during the week. It doesn't bother me, because I like going in to the old Shaw's every now and then, but wish it was a different store.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Jstar1994 on December 16, 2014, 11:57:24 PM
Another option to be considered is the soon to be vacant Michaels next to Stop and Shop in Newington or the last large vacant space in Brickyard Plaza next to the new Michaels in Berlin.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TRU7536 on December 17, 2014, 12:27:40 AM
Quote from: Jstar1994 on December 16, 2014, 11:57:24 PM
Another option to be considered is the soon to be vacant Michaels next to Stop and Shop in Newington or the last large vacant space in Brickyard Plaza next to the new Michaels in Berlin.

The michaels in Newington is only 18,000  way to small for it and the new vacant space in brickyard is 30,000 and that be weird having michaels and HL next door to each other.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: jamesway_95 on January 17, 2015, 02:52:23 PM
I got a Gulf Oil magnet at the one in the former Pathmark in Millville, NJ a while ago.

Nice place.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: HannafordHearts on January 18, 2015, 10:05:15 PM
I agree that Hobby Lobby is a decent store. I also just like how they seem to open up in a lot of former retail chain spaces. Mine is in a former Bon-Ton.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: retailisking on January 19, 2015, 04:01:28 PM
Hobby Lobby opened recently in a new building adjacent to the largest Walmart Supercenter in New England located in Auburn, Maine.
(http://www.sunjournal.com/files/imagecache/medium/2014/12/29/BIZhobbyLobbySAP123014.jpg)
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on January 19, 2015, 10:37:47 PM
Quote from: HannafordHearts on January 18, 2015, 10:05:15 PM
I agree that Hobby Lobby is a decent store. I also just like how they seem to open up in a lot of former retail chain spaces. Mine is in a former Bon-Ton.

Yes I like that about them too. As mentioned on Page 1 the ones in Manchester and Milford, Connecticut are former Sports Authority stores and the one in Bristol, Connecticut is a former Sears Appliance & Hardware Store and former Salvation Army Thrift Store. They did not take the garden center part of the old Sears and the landlord (foolishly in my opinion) is trying to lease it out to separate tenants. I forget what the one in East Haven, Connecticut used to be.

The 3 1/2 months I worked there (in Bristol, Connecticut) were great. 99% of my co-workers were great to work with. The 3 managers were great to work with. There were only 3 things I disagreed with. See below:

1. They had this stupid rule "Men can not wear earrings."

2. They don't have scanners. All prices had to me manually entered into the computer. The cashiers had to look at the sales flyer to determine whether an item was on sale or not and for what percentage. The other confusing part of this was determining what an item was made out of. Sometimes the Home Accent Items made of Wood were 50% off. Sometimes Polyresin items were 50% off. The Paper Crafting items and the Jewlery Making items too could be confusing as well.

3. The third and final thing I disagree with was their decision to lay me off after Christmas. - At the end of my shift on December 29th the manager called me into the office and told me he had to lay off another 10-15 workers by January 1st and unfortunately I was one of the 10-15. He said if things ever improved and he was able to start hiring again, he'd keep me in mind.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on April 12, 2015, 08:53:02 PM
I wonder how those other three Hobby Lobby stores in Connecticut are doing. I stopped by my old store in Bristol, Connecticut last week and I heard from a couple of my former co-workers that things at that store aren't good. Sales haven't been as good as what corporate had hoped. And that's all I'm allowed to say on that subject.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TheFugitive on April 13, 2015, 07:34:53 AM
That all depends on how "as good as what corporate hoped" is defined.
I recall seeing sales plans from corporate where I swore that everybody in that
board room had to have been smoking crack.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on April 13, 2015, 09:10:51 AM
Fugitive sent you a private message.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: TheFugitive on April 14, 2015, 09:14:12 AM
Read and received.  I once knew a store manager who was fired for failing to meet his sales plan target.
The plan was for a double-digit increase.  He achieved 9.5% growth in a store that was already #1 in
sales in the chain, and where sales were straining at the physical limits of the building.

Some of these people who sit around home offices and come up with sales plans are whacked.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: retailisking on June 04, 2015, 03:25:06 AM
Hobby Lobby joins Petco and Marshalls on the list of confirmed stores for the Granite Ridge Marketplace in Rochester, NH
http://www.fosters.com/article/20150602/NEWS/150609850/-1/breaking_ajax
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: giantsfan2016 on July 06, 2017, 05:34:25 AM
Hobby Lobby has to pay a $3 million fine for smuggled Iraqi artifacts.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/05/us/hobby-lobby-ancient-artifacts-trnd/index.html

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/07/05/535698988/hobby-lobby-to-forfeit-smuggled-iraqi-antiquities

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hobby-lobby-agrees-return-artifacts-smuggled-iraq-n779931
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: zonemad96 on July 12, 2017, 10:38:38 PM
Doesn't get much weirder then a craft store fined for buying illegal smuggled religious artifacts.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: giantsfan2016 on June 24, 2019, 03:38:31 PM
Hobby Lobby is opening in the former ACME Supermarket in King of Prussia, PA.
Title: Re: Hobby Lobby
Post by: Retail Regents on August 21, 2019, 04:57:47 PM
Hobby Lobby moved into the former Toys Я Us on Wolf Rd. in Colonie.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycKPKMi0fcE/XVdR0J4HmpI/AAAAAAAAHh8/Y904_qg-BXAnAosCfUQs1bxe3XZDaEJ3gCLcBGAs/s1600/ELPH-360-HS-772.JPG)

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wW-jsGlghG0/XVdS6pdMotI/AAAAAAAAHiE/V8VFrQ-2_CcZrlSO5KwKhROq_AqN4oUMACLcBGAs/s1600/ELPH-360-HS-774.JPG)

Also the shopping carts are slightly different. No tight-nesting metal Unarcos, rather these Americana Companies carts with all-grey trim.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXm_zUSbAQo/XVdS6hdqT3I/AAAAAAAAHiI/UiqVcgQg7UUX5gS3nEnW_wsg8_WjUwAdACLcBGAs/s1600/ELPH-360-HS-773.JPG)