Hobby Lobby

Well I was headed home to Portland from Ashland and realized, Here’s my chance to scope out the mecca of craft stores, Hobby Lobby in Albany, great access from I-​5.
I had been driving for hours so by the time I got there (7:30p) I was Whew, I made it… they close at 8p… and I really, really needed the rest room asap. I found the rest room and there was a big cardboard sign blocking both men and women’s restroom that says Do Not Enter. What ??? I’m doing the I-​have-​to-​pee dance and am dumbfounded. So I decide to move the sign and enter anyway…
Oh, somebody just cleaned and mopped the bathroom and therefore it was now closed even tho the store was still open another 30 minutes. I tiptoed so as not to dirty the floor — or slip — and was feeling a bit rogue as I used the bathroom that had been closed off.
Having that accomplished, I began to explore the MASSIVE store quickly realizing that it has just as much home décor, perhaps even more, than art and craft supplies. Im OK with that. I found the sewing dept where a lovely clerk helped me find what I needed, despite the overhead announcements that started promptly at 7:30 and every ten minutes thereafter reminding shoppers they were closing at 8. I get it. I’ve worked retail. Gotta give shoppers plenty of warning and repeated announcements to check out otherwise the closing crew has to wait it out for the last customer to finally finish. But I am not rushing… I am determined to scout out the store and check out by 7:59.
I ooohed and aaahed my way around. Inspirational art galore (not just Christian inspiration, but also positive messages like «Not all who wander are lost»), small furnishings, lamps — I scored a cute little lamp with an owl base — floral, scrapbook supplies, fabric, home storage, a huge cross selection, etc …
I realized that just about everything I was browsing was made in China. But its like that at IKEA, too. This is why these stores are affordable. I’m not a very enlightened consumer – by choice – so I am OK with buying made in China products tho the irony of Christian influenced home décor being made in a communist country that still persecutes Christians in our modern age is not lost on me.
I enjoyed my scouting 29-​minute visit of the store. I was being mindful of time after the ten-​minute warning was announced. And then… The lights flickered off and on, like last call at a bar. I made eye contact with another shopper and we said to each other, «What the heck? They are really serious about getting you out the door by 8!»
I checked out at 7:59 with my small stash of home kitsch and sewing supplies. Staff were great, very helpful. It was more than obvious that HL wants it’s customers out on time and workers clocking out and I get that. If I worked there it would be great knowing that closing time means CLOSING time, no after hours lingering for those not paying attention to store hours.
If you plan a shopping excursion, be aware that the bathroom might be officially unavailable way before the store closes, and that closing time IS closing time. oh, and you need to be able to endure the background Christian muzac which oddly enough, I found rather soothing.

I LOVE Hobby Lobby!!! What a fantastic store, with so many options for decorations. I love all the décor with bible verses. Definitely recommend this store to everyone :)

I could spend a solid week in this store!

I love this store. It has so much variety! I literally could spend hours in there. For the unique things they have, their prices are actually quite good. This location, as others have shared, is huge! Very nicely laid out, and the employees are pretty friendly!

Love this store. Huge, clean, always a bunch of deals. Find the 40% off coupon online before coming here to save extra money.

I love hobby lobby! They always have tons of sales and if it is not on sale then you can always find the coupon for 40% off, online so if you are paying full price then your doing it wrong! I don’t really even notice if they are Christian based, they have all kinds of stuff and easily have the largest, most organized collection of arts, crafts and home décor anywhere! I wish they had one closer to portland!

Very nice huge store. I liked this store because they actually had employees walking around helping customers unlike their competitors who you are lucky to see an employee at the checkout and that is it.
I am not that familiar with pricing of their stuff compared to other similar stores but it seemed like it was probably close. And with the 40% off coupons and such it makes things reasonable.