Now, to a lot of you, Hobby Lobby may be old hat. But we've only recently been getting them out here on the left coast. One just opened up down near our old homestead in Orange County, CA., and there's one being built right now here in Springfield, Oregon as a part of our local mall expansion. Our younger daughter was talking on the phone in the wifey's ear about just how amazing this store is. Come to find out there's been one open for 9 months already 40 miles up the road in Albany. So wife's got to check it out. I decided to go along...... Yes, it's big....as big as a Target store, or maybe bigger..... Lots of chotchke's, and they are occasionally on sale. Had some very nice 'garage art' signs, one featuring the Three Stooges, that said, Wasn't on sale though, so I didn't bite. I was interested in the model stuff... regular 1/25 car models - $24.99 or more. No thanks. Only one side of one short row (18') for car/aircraft/ship models, so not a huge selection. Car model boxes were placed at the edge of the shelf, but most had empty space behind, not more models. I did buy some X-Acto knives that turned out to be 40% off, so got a good deal there. They did have a decent supply of sheet goods - plastic, metal and wood. Looks like the trick with HL is to watch their sale ads for where 'your stuff' goes on sale.........
Never minding their religious proclivities, I wasn't very impressed with selection or prices, considering how big their corporation is. They should be able to get stuff by the boxcar and trailer/oceangoing container load, thereby imparting better prices.
Seemed to be a very large percentage of the floor space devoted to wall decorations, decor items and the like. I think I'm going to prefer the local Toy and Hobby shop in Eugene. Fairly small in floor space, but it's packed, wall to wall.
They have an online coupon for 40% off any single item, that you can use any time. Just do a Google search on your Smartphone, then show it to them when you're checking out. I've bought a couple of model kits using that coupon.
Personally, I like Hobby Lobby. I buy supplies for building my HO train layout there. I find them to be much cheaper than Michaels for the paints and raw materials I buy there. But they do have some great automotive themed wall art and décor. A Mopar buddy of mine just picked up a really cool tool box at Hobby Lobby that is covered with Plymouth Road Runners shown in a cartoon desert background. Another friend picked up a 12" long tin Austin Mini Cooper at Hobby Lobby for about $12, that he will strip and repaint to match his own 1974 Inocenti Mini Cooper. You'll find lots of Mustang, Camaro, Thunderbird, Corvette and GTO themed art there as well. One item I thought was pretty cool was the drawer pull in the shape of a 1965 Mustang door handle. I think they may have also had matching pieces for cabinet doors. Thought they would look cool in my kitchen but I'm a Mopar guy so I passed on them. As for the owners of Hobby Lobby, I applaud them for taking a stand.
Used to spend a lot of time and money in the one back in central Illinois. Enjoyed just looking around at things I didn't need and ended up taking home.
We weren't aware of the 40% on-line coupon, but the checkout employee told us about it and helped the Mrs. get access to it on her phone (we're rather new to smart phones....).
Daughter and I are off to the city tomorrow. We're going to Micheals, there is not much to choose from in the way of hobby shops here. I've never heard of Hobby Lobby before today. I'm working on a miniature house that I've made into a garden shed. I'm almost done then I'm going to start my garage.
We have one here in Jensen Beach, I was not impressed with them long before I knew anything about their leanings. It's mostly a store for bored Hutchinson Island and Jupiter housewives looking for more geegaws to adorn their posh condos.
These are my top favorite hobby stores......... #6...http://www.slegglumber.com/retail.html #5... http://flyer.canadiantire.ca/Canadiantire/WeeklyAd?storeid=2400464#!/ #4... http://www.rona.ca/en?gclid=CLXNi43IlsQCFYGUfgodangAtw #3... http://www.homedepot.ca/?eid=PS_GO_...depot_phrase&gclid=CI2khaHIlsQCFciBfgodr1YAzQ #2... http://www.jbgroup.ca/Locations.htm And #1,.... http://glenwoodmeats.ca/our-history/ All within a 3 mile radius, it's all the hobby I need!
Krash, You are correct. In order to get a good deal you must wait for item to go on sale. The prices are set way to high (in my opinion) Everything (just about) in the store is from China. We bought a giant wall clock for about 15 dollars on sale. Previously the clock was selling for about 100 dollars. They do have a good selection of model/hobbyist stuff that usually keeps me occupied for about fifteen minutes while my wife browse through the crafty stuff.
I would rather spend my hard earned dollars at a locally owned place than what amounts to another big box China Mart like Wal Mart. Skycraft is at the top of my list: http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/about-us.aspx We have Sam Flax, too. Not exactly local, but it is still family owned and almost local. And very cool. http://www.samflaxorlando.com/about-us Hobby Lobby Inc. will do just fine without me, no doubt.
