Hobby Lobby is a giant in the arts and crafts retail sector, with a loyal following among DIY enthusiasts and home decorators alike. But with over 900 stores across the country, it can be tricky to keep track of exactly where to find a Hobby Lobby location near you. That‘s why we‘ve put together the ultimate guide to Hobby Lobby‘s store footprint, complete with detailed data, expert analysis, and insider insights you won‘t find anywhere else.
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Hobby Lobby Locations by the Numbers
As of 2022, Hobby Lobby operates 956 stores across 47 states, according to the company‘s annual report. That makes it the second-largest arts and crafts retailer in the U.S. by store count, behind only Michaels. Here‘s a breakdown of Hobby Lobby locations by state:
| State | Store Count |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 26 |
| Arizona | 21 |
| Arkansas | 16 |
| California | 63 |
| Colorado | 21 |
| Connecticut | 4 |
| Delaware | 1 |
| Florida | 53 |
| Georgia | 44 |
| Idaho | 6 |
| Illinois | 41 |
| Indiana | 27 |
| Iowa | 19 |
| Kansas | 15 |
| Kentucky | 19 |
| Louisiana | 18 |
| Maine | 3 |
| Maryland | 7 |
| Massachusetts | 7 |
| Michigan | 30 |
| Minnesota | 20 |
| Mississippi | 12 |
| Missouri | 26 |
| Montana | 5 |
| Nebraska | 12 |
| Nevada | 6 |
| New Hampshire | 6 |
| New Jersey | 15 |
| New Mexico | 12 |
| New York | 22 |
| North Carolina | 36 |
| North Dakota | 4 |
| Ohio | 39 |
| Oklahoma | 26 |
| Oregon | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | 24 |
| Rhode Island | 1 |
| South Carolina | 21 |
| South Dakota | 5 |
| Tennessee | 31 |
| Texas | 111 |
| Utah | 10 |
| Virginia | 19 |
| Washington | 19 |
| West Virginia | 8 |
| Wisconsin | 22 |
| Wyoming | 3 |
As the data shows, Hobby Lobby has an outsized presence in Southern and Midwestern states. In fact, just three states – Texas, Florida, and California – account for nearly a quarter of all Hobby Lobby locations nationwide.
So what‘s behind this geographic concentration? According to retail analyst Mary Epner, it likely has to do with a combination of demographic and economic factors. "Hobby Lobby tends to target middle-class suburban areas with high rates of homeownership," Epner explained. "These areas also tend to have a larger proportion of families with children, who are a key demographic for arts and crafts spending."
Hobby Lobby‘s Competitive Landscape
Of course, Hobby Lobby isn‘t the only major player in the arts and crafts retail space. Its biggest competitor is Michaels, which operates 1,275 stores across 49 states as of 2022. JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores is another major rival, with 865 locations nationwide.
So how does Hobby Lobby‘s store footprint stack up against the competition? Here‘s a side-by-side comparison of store counts in the top 10 states for each retailer:
| State | Hobby Lobby | Michaels | JOANN |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 63 | 142 | 81 |
| Texas | 111 | 114 | 69 |
| Florida | 53 | 86 | 64 |
| New York | 22 | 67 | 37 |
| Illinois | 41 | 64 | 37 |
| Ohio | 39 | 63 | 44 |
| Michigan | 30 | 60 | 37 |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | 57 | 31 |
| North Carolina | 36 | 48 | 30 |
| Georgia | 44 | 40 | 33 |
As the table shows, Michaels has a significantly larger presence in key states like California and New York, while Hobby Lobby leads in Texas and Florida. JOANN tends to have a smaller footprint overall, but still maintains a strong presence in crucial markets.
Hobby Lobby‘s Expansion Strategy
Hobby Lobby may trail Michaels in total store count, but it‘s been rapidly expanding its footprint in recent years. The company opened 55 new stores in 2021 alone, according to its annual report, and plans to open another 60-70 locations in 2022.
This expansion is part of a deliberate strategy by Hobby Lobby to capture market share from rivals like Michaels and JOANN. In a 2021 earnings call, Hobby Lobby CEO David Green said the company was targeting "underserved markets" where competitors had a limited presence. "We see a lot of opportunity to bring our unique product mix and low prices to new communities," Green said.
Hobby Lobby‘s real estate team employs a data-driven approach to identify promising locations for new stores. According to a report by retail real estate firm CoStar, the company looks at factors like population density, household income, and proximity to existing stores when evaluating potential sites. Hobby Lobby also prefers to open stores in power centers anchored by other big-box retailers like Walmart or Target, which can help drive foot traffic.
This strategy appears to be paying off for Hobby Lobby. The company reported record sales of $5.4 billion in 2021, up 14% from the previous year. While the pandemic-fueled surge in DIY and home decor spending certainly played a role, analysts say Hobby Lobby‘s expanding store base was also a major driver of growth.
The Future of Hobby Lobby Locations
So what‘s next for Hobby Lobby‘s store footprint? According to Green, the company sees plenty of room for continued expansion in the years ahead. "We believe we have the potential to operate over 1,500 locations in the U.S.," he said in the 2021 earnings call.
One area of focus for Hobby Lobby will likely be filling in gaps in its existing footprint. The company has a relatively limited presence in the Northeast and on the West Coast, with states like Massachusetts, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington each home to fewer than 10 stores. Hobby Lobby may look to build out its store base in these regions to better compete with Michaels and JOANN.
The company could also explore expanding into new formats or markets. In 2020, Hobby Lobby opened its first "Hobby Lobby Express" location in Oklahoma City, a smaller-format store focused on grab-and-go items and online order pickup. The company has since opened a handful of additional Express locations, but hasn‘t yet committed to a larger rollout.
Another potential growth area for Hobby Lobby is international expansion. While the company currently only operates stores in the U.S., it has reportedly explored opportunities to open locations in Canada and Mexico. However, any international push would likely be several years away, given the significant logistical and regulatory hurdles involved.
How to Find a Hobby Lobby Near You
With so many Hobby Lobby locations across the country, chances are there‘s a store within easy driving distance of wherever you live. The easiest way to find your nearest Hobby Lobby is to use the store locator tool on the company‘s website (https://www.hobbylobby.com/store-finder). Simply enter your city, state, or zip code and you‘ll see a list of nearby locations along with their addresses and hours of operation.
If you‘re on the go, you can also use the Hobby Lobby mobile app (available for both iOS and Android) to find stores near you. The app uses your phone‘s GPS to show you the closest locations, along with driving directions and real-time inventory information for select items.
It‘s worth noting that Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sundays, so plan your shopping trip accordingly. Most locations are open from 9am to 8pm Monday through Saturday, although hours may vary by store.
The Bottom Line
With over 900 locations across 47 states, Hobby Lobby is one of the most ubiquitous retailers in the country – and it‘s only getting bigger. The company‘s aggressive expansion strategy has helped it capture market share from rivals like Michaels and JOANN, while its unique product mix and low prices have cultivated a loyal customer base.
Whether you‘re a die-hard crafter or just looking to spruce up your home decor on a budget, Hobby Lobby is worth checking out. And with so many stores to choose from, chances are you won‘t have to go far to find one. Happy shopping!
