Hobby Lobby Set to Open Controversial Craft Store in TriBeCa

News Summary

Hobby Lobby, the craft retailer known for its conservative values, will open a new store in TriBeCa in spring 2025. This marks a significant expansion as it enters Manhattan, igniting mixed reactions from the community. With over 75,000 square feet of retail space, the store aims to attract both craft enthusiasts and the socially liberal residents of the upscale neighborhood. While some welcome the affordable supplies, others express concern over the company’s political stance. As the retail landscape shifts, Hobby Lobby’s opening raises questions about acceptance in a diverse community.

Hobby Lobby Bringing Its Controversial Craft Store to TriBeCa!

Hey there, Manhattan! Big news is brewing in the heart of TriBeCa, and it’s sparking quite the chatter among locals. Get ready to mark your calendars because Hobby Lobby, the popular crafts retailer known for its strong conservative Christian values, is set to open its doors in spring 2025. That’s right, folks! After years of being largely absent from the city, this store is gearing up to occupy a massive space of over 75,000 square feet at 270 Greenwich Street, taking over where Bed Bath & Beyond and Barnes & Noble once stood.

Not Your Average Craft Store

Now, if you’re wondering, “Hobby Lobby? What’s the commotion?” Well, this craft giant operates over a dozen locations in New York, but only has one existing store in the city, which is in Staten Island. So, it makes sense that Manhattan’s TriBeCa, known for its stylish vibe and upscale real estate, would be the next big leap. But it hasn’t been smooth sailing. The store’s arrival has drawn some serious attention—some good, some not so much.

Mixed Reactions from the Community

TriBeCa is pretty famous for its liberal residents and A-list celebrity population, so the big question remains: will Hobby Lobby’s notoriously conservative values—which include a strong opposition to gay and transgender rights—be welcomed with open arms? Some local residents are raising their voices in protest against the store’s opening, expressing anger about the idea of such an evangelical business setting up shop in their neighborhood.

But let’s not forget, Hobby Lobby is also known for great deals and a wide variety of art and craft supplies. It raises an intriguing question: could those affordable prices and a vast selection of products sway the more liberal constituents of TriBeCa?

A Strategic Location

Hobby Lobby is making quite the strategic move by signing one of the largest retail leases in Manhattan for 2024. The store will share the impressive building with a Whole Foods, which means it’s certainly going to have plenty of visibility and foot traffic right at the base of a luxury 35-story building. The space will feature multiple signs, ensuring that shoppers will have no problem spotting it while they stroll through the bustling streets.

What’s the Buzz About Hobby Lobby?

Hobby Lobby isn’t just a random craft store; it has a storied past! Founded in 1970 by David and Barbara Green, it has blossomed from a small hobby business to an operation boasting over 1,000 stores across the United States. This corporate giant is distinctive for its Sunday closures, allowing employees time for family and worship—something that’s uncommon in the retail world.

Retail Landscape Shifts

Hobby Lobby’s entry into Manhattan comes at a time when the retail landscape is experiencing a significant shift. A recent report pointed out that the retail market is on the mend, with improved availability rates and a 5.9% increase in the average asking rent for retail space in the city since last year. Could Hobby Lobby’s arrival be a sign of better days ahead for the city’s retail scene?

A Million Dollar Question

While Hobby Lobby is undoubtedly moving into a prime location, the buzz surrounding its conservative beliefs raises a million-dollar question: will TriBeCa residents embrace this store, or will protests continue to echo throughout the neighborhood? For now, all we can do is sit back, craft a bit, and wait for spring 2025 when this controversial store finally opens its doors.

Stay tuned, folks! The retail drama in Manhattan is just heating up!

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Additional Resources

• The New York Times: Hobby Lobby Bringing Its Controversial Craft Store to TriBeCa
• Gothamist: Will the Liberal Crafters of TriBeCa Shop at the New Hobby Lobby?
• Crain’s New York: Hobby Lobby Will Open at 270 Greenwich St, TriBeCa
• Google Search: Hobby Lobby
• Tribeca Citizen: Seen & Heard: Hobby Lobby Construction Happening
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hobby Lobby