Every so often, a big store’s name pops up in rumor mills and trending hashtags, hinting at closures or some dramatic shake-up. Lately, Hobby Lobby has been at the center of these online whispers. If you’re wondering whether you need to make a last-minute craft supply run before your local location vanishes, here’s some clear, detailed info on what’s actually happening.
The Rumors and What’s Really Happening With Hobby Lobby
There’s no shortage of viral posts maybe you’ve even seen them saying Hobby Lobby is shutting down. These claims circulate in Facebook DIY groups or pop up on Twitter without much backup. But out in the real world, Hobby Lobby isn’t just staying open; they’re growing bigger.
Official statements from the company confirm it isn’t pulling out of the retail market. Far from it, they’re rolling out new stores and making some notable changes, both for customers and employees. That’s hardly what you’d expect from a company “going out of business.”
Hobby Lobby’s New Store Openings in 2025
If a company were teetering on bankruptcy, it wouldn’t expand. But Hobby Lobby is actively planning new stores for late 2025. Here’s a rundown of locations and scheduled opening dates:
– St. George, Utah: December 26
– Jacksonville, Illinois: December 26
– Scottsboro, Alabama: December 26
– Freehold, New Jersey: October 10
– Howell, Michigan: October 3
– Batesville, Mississippi: September 26
That’s six new stores announced for just a few months. These are fully public plans, not pie-in-the-sky ideas. Whether you craft on the East Coast, in the Midwest, or down South, there’s a decent chance you’ll see a brand-new Hobby Lobby sign lighting up by the end of next year.
Of course, opening a new store isn’t just about selling more glue sticks and framed art. To open stores, a company has to invest real cash on construction, hiring, inventory, and training. In the retail world, those are signs of confidence.
What Hobby Lobby Says About Those Closure Rumors
As you might expect, Hobby Lobby hasn’t ignored the online chatter. In recent months, the company has gone on record denying any plan to shut down. They’ve pointed out that these rumors seem to spike every few months, often tied to some unrelated retail bankruptcy story or someone’s viral post.
On their official platforms, Hobby Lobby’s leadership calls these closure claims plain false. They highlight the fact that they’re opening new stores, expanding into new markets, and seeing steady growth. This is pretty standard for major retail chains facing rumor cycles companies usually step up with public statements so customers and employees know the score.
Social media does play a role here. Most of the panic about “Hobby Lobby going out of business” actually starts there, as a meme or screenshot, rather than in any kind of financial filing or business news. You’ve probably noticed that misinformation spreads way faster online, especially when it comes to well-known brands.
Retailers Closing Stores: How Hobby Lobby Compares
It’s true that the wider retail scene has seen a lot of closures over the last several years. Big names like Joann Fabric, Big Lots, and Party City have all faced big layoffs, bankruptcy filings, or full-on shutdowns at some or all of their locations. Often, these are legacy brands that just can’t keep up with changing shopping habits.
For example, Joann Fabric and Party City were recently in the news for closing dozens of stores, even in some major cities. Big Lots, a staple for bargain shopping, has also been shrinking its footprint.
Hobby Lobby, though, isn’t part of this wave. If you look up lists of retailers closing in 2025, sometimes you’ll see the Hobby Lobby name but only in the context of special holiday hours. In other words, they’re not closing stores for good; they’re just adjusting store times around big holidays like New Year’s or Christmas.
Unlike the other chains, Hobby Lobby’s expansion plans actually outnumber their closures, and they haven’t warned of financial distress or bankruptcy anywhere in their official statements. That’s a stark contrast to brands that have announced shut-downs or filed in court for bankruptcy protection.
How You Can Tell When a Retailer’s in Trouble
Usually, when a big company is really struggling, there are clear signs that go beyond social media rumors. One thing you see is talk of bankruptcy or legal filings. Another is announcements about layoffs, hiring freezes, or a sudden rash of liquidations.
None of these warning signs have appeared with Hobby Lobby. Instead, there are clear markers of company health recent announcements about wage increases for employees, added benefits, and new store openings all back up their official message.
If a retailer’s in real trouble, it pulls back on investment and puts off expansion plans. But Hobby Lobby is rolling out higher pay from October 2024, their minimum wage moves up to $19.25 an hour. That’s actually higher than what a lot of big chains (even Target or Walmart at some locations) pay for similar roles.
This wage boost isn’t something you see if a business is about to downsize or close locations. Higher labor costs signal that the company wants to keep good employees, avoid turnover, and compete in tight labor markets.
Then there’s the holiday schedule: for 2025–2026, Hobby Lobby has set new year’s and holiday operating hours. Why share that so far in advance? Because holiday hours come up every year and often confuse shoppers. If the company wasn’t planning to stick around, they wouldn’t bother posting holiday times at all, let alone for over a year in the future.
You also see ongoing newsroom updates about sales promotions, crafting events, and new locations. It’s a pretty normal part of retail, but again it’s a sign of an active company with plans for the future.
Why Do These Rumors Stick Around?
Part of it is just how social media works. Someone sees a news story about a different brand closing and accidentally or maybe on purpose spins it into “Hobby Lobby’s next,” even without evidence. These stories pick up likes and shares from people concerned about jobs or favorite places to shop.
Then, big retail bankruptcies grab headlines everywhere, usually with splashy graphics and lists of “store closings.” Some sites mix up the facts (sometimes through sloppy reporting) or lump chains together just because they’re in the same industry. Before you know it, you’ve got a flood of comments saying, “I heard Hobby Lobby is next,” or “My neighbor said our store is closing.”
We’ve all been there maybe you saw a post about a beloved local store shutting down, only to drive by the next day and see it’s open as usual. The same thing goes for national chains. Unless a company like Hobby Lobby makes an official announcement, you can usually ignore the online panic.
What Can You Expect Going Into 2026?
If you’re planning a shopping trip or thinking about a new craft project, you don’t need to worry about Hobby Lobby disappearing any time soon.
The company continues investing in both new locations and employee pay, while also outlining its hours and schedules well into next year. Not only are there no signs of a pullback there’s every reason to think you’ll see even more Hobby Lobby signs pop up, especially in cities and towns getting new stores.
For anyone tracking the retail sector, it’s worth mentioning that major chains sometimes do quietly close underperforming stores or shift locations. That’s just regular retail strategy it doesn’t mean the whole brand is folding. Hobby Lobby’s approach looks focused on growing where they see demand and keeping both shoppers and staff satisfied.
If you’re the kind of person who wants to keep a close eye on retail news, sites like United Business Magazine keep tabs on openings, closures, payroll updates, and other big box developments.
The Bottom Line: Hobby Lobby Isn’t Going Out of Business
So, is Hobby Lobby really closing down or facing a company-wide shutdown? The answer is simple: no, not even close. The latest information for 2025 and beyond points to fresh openings, higher pay for workers, and more updates not secret closures.
Maybe you’ve heard the rumors, or maybe you were just caught off guard by a post in your feed. But at the time of writing, no credible source has found financial trouble, bankruptcy filings, or major layoffs at Hobby Lobby. If you see more rumors swirling later on, check the company’s own newsroom or a reliable business outlet before assuming the worst.
Retail always evolves stores come and go, names rise and fade but Hobby Lobby, at least for now, looks like it’s sticking around. So go ahead: plan your next craft binge or seasonal home decor project. If anything changes in the months ahead, you’ll hear about it from the company first, not just a random post online.
