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Hobby Lobby Coming Soon
Greenwood, SC - June 23, 2011
The “Pursuit” is over: Hobby Lobby is coming to Greenwood. The national arts and crafts retailer formally announced late Tuesday it will be opening a store in Greenwood later this year. The Hobby Lobby location will occupy the 46,000-square-foot building on Bypass 72 that used to be home to Winn-Dixie. The location is across the street from Greenwood Mall.
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The Hobby Lobby project has long been referred to by economic development firm Partnership Alliance and local government officials as Project Pursuit. The Greenwood Hobby Lobby location will employ about 40 people. |
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According to Hobby Lobby officials, the chain is an Oklahoma City-based private corporation offering more than 65,000 crafting and home decor products in its stores. Departments include floral, fabric, needlework, picture framing, baskets, home accents, arts and crafts, wearable art, jewelry and scrapbooking supplies.
On Wednesday, Partnership Alliance CEO Mark Warner said he is pleased Hobby Lobby is setting up a location in Greenwood.
“I think, in and of itself, it is a great announcement,” Warner said. “It took a lot of hard work from the developer and city folks and planning folks and both (city and county) councils to do it. It was a good effort there.
“I think if you put it into context of what’s going on across the street (from the soon-to-be Hobby Lobby location) with Hull Storey Gibson and the Greenwood Mall with their expansion with T.J. Maxx and Michael’s, I think it says a lot about the way the retail community is viewing the Greenwood market.”
Greenwood’s location will be the 11th Hobby Lobby in South Carolina. Hobby Lobby assistant vice president of advertising John Schumacher said the Palmetto State is a viable market.
“The success of our other store locations in South Carolina is an good indicatorthat the crafts community in Greenwood will be very pleased with the quality, selection and value we offer in the crafts and home décor market while filling the void that currently exists in this area,” Schumacher said in aprepared statement.
There are 480 Hobby Lobby stores across the country.
Greenwood Mayor Welborn Adams said he is excited to welcome another national retailer to Greenwood, particularly one that will fill a previously empty “big box” site.
“I’m really pleased we are doing it in an existing building,” the mayor said. “I’ve heard a lot of city residents complain that we will have new (businesses) come and they will build a new site. And I hear them. No one likes to see a building sitting empty. So, this is a win-win type situation. Not only do we get a new retailer and a new shopping experience for our residents, but we get to fill up an existing site.”
Greenwood County Council chairman Robbie Templeton echoed Adams’ remarks.
“The thing that is the greatest about this is, not only are we bringing in a big name retailer that will provide jobs, but we are also filling up an existing big box,” Templeton said. “That’s a win-win for everybody.”
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