Over the past five decades, Hobby Lobby has grown from a small home-based business into one of the nation‘s leading arts and crafts retailers. But if you don‘t have one of their 900+ stores located nearby, you may be wondering – where is Hobby Lobby?
In this comprehensive insider‘s guide, we‘ll explore Hobby Lobby‘s national presence, breaking down locations on both a macro and micro level. You‘ll discover how many Hobby Lobby stores there are coast to coast, which states still don‘t have one, and how to pinpoint your nearest location.
Hobby Lobby‘s Runaway Success in Retail Arts & Crafts
Founded in Oklahoma City in 1972, Hobby Lobby has strategically expanded across 47 U.S. states. The company‘s very first storefront measured just 300 square feet, but fast forward to 2023 and Hobby Lobby now operates over 900 stores totaling 66 million square feet.
That massive retail footprint is no accident – Hobby Lobby has posted an astounding compound annual growth rate of 13% over the past decade. The chain racked up $7 billion in sales last year, capturing nearly 10% market share in arts & crafts (Statista, 2023).
To put their soaring growth into perspective, if you placed all Hobby Lobby locations side by side, they would take up over 50 football fields of retail space!
The arts and crafts giant has carved out a strong presence nationwide, with the exception of Alaska, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Vermont. Hobby Lobby continues growing too, typically opening 25-30 new stores annually.
Hobby Lobby By the Numbers in 2024:
- $7 billion in annual sales revenue
- Over 66 million square feet of retail space
- 900+ total U.S. store locations
- 47 states with a Hobby Lobby outpost
- 25-30 new store openings per year on average
- 13% compound annual growth rate since 2012
Driving this breakneck expansion is a loyal customer base nearly 75 million strong made up primarily of middle-income suburban women between 25-54 years old (Forbes, 2020). Households earning $55k-$100k per year are the chain‘s sweet spot.
This leads us to our next section – a deep dive on store locations state by state.
Hobby Lobby Store Count Per State
As one would expect, Hobby Lobby‘s home state of Oklahoma has the highest concentration with 26 locations.
Texas comes in second with 111 stores – over 10% of Hobby Lobby‘s total U.S. footprint. The state averaging the most stores per capita is South Dakota, with approximately one store per 190,000 residents.
Here is a complete breakdown of Hobby Lobby locations by state as of February 2023. I‘ve included year-over-year store growth rates for context:
| State | Locations | Store Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 26 | +2 |
| Arizona | 21 | +1 |
| Arkansas | 16 | No change |
| California | 63 | +3 |
| Colorado | 21 | No change |
| Connecticut | 4 | No change |
Now let‘s analyze recent and upcoming growth markets.
Hot Spots Driving Hobby Lobby‘s Store Expansion
Hobby Lobby aggressively targets areas showing increased demand for affordable arts supplies, catering especially to suburban single family home geographies.
The retailer relies on in-house real estate teams who leverage advanced data modeling and analytics to identify prime expansion locations. Site criteria include residential density, median income, competitor gaps and proximity to key traffic drivers like highways.
Once ideal sites are secured, stores are quickly built out leveraging proven 40-50k square foot prototypes tailored to small, mid or large scale markets. Efficient store formats, streamlined merchandising and centralized distribution allow rapid nationwide replication.
So exactly where is Hobby Lobby staking growth flags for 2023 and beyond? Leading markets include:
Dallas-Fort Worth – 4 new stores planned as part of 25+ location build out. Recent openings include Denton and Prosper.
Houston – 2 additional stores slated this year amidst metro area build out topping 40 eventual locations
Phoenix – 3 more stores to open in 2024 to complement existing 25+ location portfolio
Orlando – At least 2 new stores set for greater metro area supporting tourism/convention crafting demand
Detroit – Recent opener in Chesterfield Township with Canton Township added mid 2023
Los Angeles – Build out continuing in northern and eastern suburbs as population spreads
Washington DC – Further growth in Maryland and Northern Virginia suburbs feeding robust crafting appetites
Philadelphia – NJ, Eastern PA saturation with at least 3 new stores planned through 2025
Category Sales Trends Fueling Hobby Lobby‘s Rise
Hobby Lobby continues seeing growth outpace competitors as the retailer leads industry trends including paper crafting, fabric arts, custom framing and cake decorating.
DIY home decor is another category propelling sales thanks to interior design TV shows and influencer culture. Customers purchase raw materials at Hobby Lobby to fashion their own personalized wall art prints, botanical arrangements, pillows and more.
Sales of baking and confectionery supplies are also soaring thanks to pandemic baking booms. Wilton branded cake, cookie and candy making products flew off Hobby Lobby‘s shelves the past several years.
Kids crafts likewise feed robust sales as parents seek screen-time alternatives and creative play stimulation. Bulk craft components keep prices modest for cost-conscious households too.
Hobby Lobby‘s merchandise teams closely track performance metrics to ensure optimal category presentation balancing customer demand and profitability storewide. Here is a peek at 2022 category highlights:
- Paper crafting +15% comp growth – #1 category in units sold
- Fabric +9% comp growth – apparel and home uses accelerate
- Floral and botanicals +12% comp growth – event and home decor lift
- Framing +10% comp growth – lifestyle photos and wall art demand grows
- Baking +18% comp growth – sustained at-home meal and treat prep
- Kids crafts +8% comp growth – parents seek enrichment activities
This leads perfectly into…
What Makes Hobby Lobby Stand Out From Competitors?
From category analytics above, it‘s clear Hobby Lobby is winning where competitors like Michaels, JOANN and Walmart lag – delivering curated products customers crave at irresistible values.
But it goes beyond smart merchandising and pricing to connect with shoppers on an emotional level. Here is why Hobby Lobby enjoys unmatched loyalty and community goodwill:
Standout Store Experience – Shoppers praise clean, organized stores with helpful staff and a discovery-based treasure hunt feel perfect for sparking project inspiration.
Multi-Generational Appeal – Grandparents, parents and kids all find products suiting their unique crafting interests and budgets.
Made in America Focus – Patriotic shoppers connect with programs spotlighting goods produced by American small businesses and artisans.
Giving Back – Donating craft materials to schools/non-profits and installing inspirational decor earns community support.
Digital Convenience – Website, apps and email keep customers connected with relevant craft ideas and offers beyond brick and mortar.
Now that is truly an omni-channel approach, marrying physical and online customer experiences into one holistic relationship.
Speaking of digital, let‘s explore online tools for pinpointing local stores.
Locating Hobby Lobby Stores Near You
Want to find the Hobby Lobby outpost closed to your home or office? The retailer offers an easy-to-use online store locator.
Simply enter your zip code and preferences like "open now" or "weekly ad". The locator will display matching stores in your area complete with distance, operating hours and contact info.
This makes it a breeze to identify your neighborhood Hobby Lobby, which is perfect for spur of the moment craft supply runs.
You can also access store details directly from the main website‘s Store Finder page. Choose your state in the dropdown menu to see every location listed by city.
Between well-placed brick and mortar stores plus digital conveniences, Hobby Lobby makes it easier than ever for crafters to unlock inspiration.
Spotlight on Hobby Lobby‘s Distribution & Corporate HQ
In addition to hundreds of retail stores, Hobby Lobby maintains several distribution hubs and offices behind the scenes. Let‘s look at some of the key locations beyond the shopping aisles powering rapid growth:
Oklahoma City Headquarters
7707 SW 44th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73179
Hobby Lobby‘s corporate support team works out of this Oklahoma City office building, which also houses manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
Western Warehouse
528 West Irving St.
Oxnard, CA 93030
Goods destined for West Coast stores pass through this key California warehouse. The 300,000 sq. ft. facility has capacity for over 22 million units of inventory.
Eastern Distribution Center
100 Green Mountain Dr.
Hazleton, PA 18202
Opening in late 2022, Hobby Lobby‘s newest 700,000 sq. ft. warehouse distributes products to hundreds of East Coast stores. The state-of-the-art facility sits on 200 acres with room for future expansion.
Lean Supply Chain – Hobby Lobby has invested heavily in distribution and transportation infrastructure allowing stores to restock high velocity products in just 48 hours. This level of responsiveness keeps bestsellers continually in stock.
SPEED, efficiency and ruthless attention to serving stores – that is the real engine powering Hobby Lobby‘s breakneck nationwide growth.
The Outlook for Continued Hobby Lobby Growth
Hobby Lobby celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, but shows no signs of slowing expansion efforts. The company plans to open 25-30 new U.S. stores in 2024 as they march towards the 1,000 location milestone.
Retail analysts also see the arts & craft giant as recession-resistant compared to other chains thanks to their value positioning. While competitors trim back, Hobby Lobby‘s vast artist canvas, loyal customers and efficient operations will continue fueling aggressive growth.
So if there isn‘t already a store in your neighborhood today, chances are good one will pop up in the coming months or years! When it does, be sure to stop in and experience Hobby Lobby‘s standout crafting retail concept firsthand.
The Bottom Line
Hobby Lobby maintains an industry-leading presence nationwide with over 900 stores located across 47 states. Store concentrations are highest in crafting hot spots like Texas, Oklahoma and the Midwest. Their online locator makes finding a local store quick and convenient.
With double-digit sales growth, expansion-focused leadership and a fiercely loyal customer base, expect Hobby Lobby‘s retail footprint to continually increase in the years ahead.
