Hobby Lobby to Open in East Haven on May 3

This post was reported and written by freelance writer Nancy Barnes.

The much-heralded arts and crafts and also home decor store Hobby Lobby is slated to open in East Haven on May 3. 

The store will sit on Frontage Road at the former location of the  East Haven HomeGoods in the TJ Maxx Plaza.

"We're in the set-up stage right now," said an employee at the store on Wednesday.   

According to the company website, the Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby Stores Inc.  began operation in late 1972 with 300 feet of retail space.  Today, each of  its more than 500 stores inhabit roughly 55,000 square feet.  

The private company's headquarters, manufacturing and distribution center remains in Oklahoma City.   

Having begun its operation there, the company is now working its way through the Northeast, with one store in Massachusetts, four in New York and now the East Haven location. The East Haven store is the first Hobby Lobby in Connecticut.  

"There are many factors that go into deciding where we open our stores, including demand and available real estate," said Mandi Broadfoot, spokesperson for Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., to Patch by email from corporate headquarters. "We are looking forward to serving customers in Connecticut and the surrounding areas." 

"We do have many female customers," Broadfoot said when asked to describe the typical Hobby Lobby consumer, "but our variety of products appeal to a wide range of customers, from retirees to teens. Certain departments lend themselves to certain demographics.  

"For instance, our crafting products are of particular interest to that group of hobbyists, but other departments like picture framing, home accents and holiday supplies have a much broader appeal.” 

Hobby Lobby stores have an inventory of more than 60,000 products organized into 13 departments. The East Haven location will open with a supply of the free booklets the company terms "Project: Inspiration," Broadfoot said.  These include booklets on such topics as making use of containers for floral arrangements and also ribbon design. 

The company stores, which span 45 states, are also known for their schedules of classes. 

"We will likely have educational classes, such as cake decorating," Broadfoot said of the East Haven location. "Once the store has opened, the class types and schedules will be established. Class schedules will be available on our website, www.hobbylobby.com.” 

Hobby LobbyStores Inc. presented its site plans to East Haven last year. According to Mary Cacace, president of the East Haven Chamber of Commerce, the store will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony as part of its grand opening on May 6.