Another One Bites The Dust!

Hobby Lobby to close this spring

Area crafters are devastated by news
BY MARY WICOFF

DANVILLE — People who do arts and crafts are distraught at the news that Hobby Lobby Creative Center will close this spring.

“I’m devastated. Everybody’s horrified,” said Jeanne Dunn of Danville, an artist and actress who buys all of her supplies at the store. “Everyone I know who’s craftsy or sews or knits lives in Hobby Lobby.”

A spokesman with the Oklahoma-based company confirmed Tuesday the store at the Village Mall will close the first part of May. Its 24 employees have been given the chance to transfer to the closest store, said Vince Parker, director of training and customer service.

The store’s merchandise will be transferred to a new store in Peru, Ill., and there will be no closeout sales, he said.

Parker said the decision to close was not an easy one.

“Many factors were considered before coming to the conclusion that we would close at this time,” he said.

However, he would not list those factors, noting there was not one particular reason for the closure.

Lisa Masengale-Acton, general manager of the Village Mall, said Hobby Lobby gave notice of its closure last week, but didn’t give a reason.

“We’re very disappointed,” she said. “They’ve been a valued merchant for almost 10 years. They are such an outstanding tenant in the community.”

The store opened in January 1999 in the former Target site. It offers a variety of arts and crafts supplies, home décor, custom photo framing, furniture, scrapbook supplies, fabric and greeting cards, as well as classes, such as cake decorating.

“It’s such a disappointing loss to Danville as a whole,” Masengale-Acton said. “It’s going to leave such a void in Danville because they offered so many things to so many people.”

The only bright spot, however, is that Hobby Lobby is in a desirable location, as its storefront — which was renovated recently — can be seen from Vermilion Street, she said.

“We do have a great location when we start searching (for tenants),” she said. “The mall itself is doing well. I think our ownership team is hopeful we’ll find someone soon.”

The mall will work with the city of Danville and Vermilion Advantage to see if some type of tax incentive can be offered to a new tenant, she said.

Dunn said artists and crafts people have depended on the store, which offers high-quality products that can’t be found anywhere else in Danville. She could go to the Hobby Lobby in Champaign or buy over the Internet, but she’d prefer to shop locally and actually hold an item in her hands, she said.

Danville Light Opera members also depend on the store for materials to make costumes.

“It’s the only show in town — and it’s a great show,” she said.

An afternoon with friends always included a stop at Hobby Lobby, she said, adding, “I don’t walk out of there every time without spending $20 or $30 or more.”

Dunn hopes loyal customers will contact the store to express their unhappiness, and maybe the outcry will change the business’ mind.

Parker said customers are invited to contact the company through its Web site.

“We do appreciate all of the support of our local customers. It is our hope that you will continue to shop with us at our next closest locations and that all of your future visits are pleasant and productive,” he said.