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Hobby Lobby to open Christiana store

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Hobby Lobby has signed a lease for a new store in University Plaza in Christiana. | PHOTO COURTESY OF HOBBY LOBBY

CHRISTIANA – The national arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby is preparing to open its first location in New Castle County after recently signing a lease at University Plaza off Route 273.

It will take over a portion of the current Burlington department store in the shopping center as that retailer downsizes its current space.

Hobby Lobby will take over 50,000 square feet of the Burlington store at University Plaza in Christiana. Work has already begun to subdivide the space. | DBT PHOTO BY JACOB OWENS

Following a request for comment, a Burlington representative said that the company ā€œdid not have anything to share at this time,ā€ while Hobby Lobby did not respond. Work has already begun to subdivide the 50,000 square feet that the new store will occupy at 59 University Drive, according to the lease filed with the county.

While an opening timeline has not yet been publicly released, Hobby Lobby signed a 10-year lease with three potential five-year renewal periods with shopping center owner Universal Realty Associates in June. The lease comes with an exclusivity clause guaranteeing that no other arts and crafts retailer can locate in the plaza.

It will mark the second store in Delaware for the Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby, a brand that has grown nationally in part due to its owner’s politically and socially conservative stances. Like competitors Michaels and JoAnn Fabrics, it carries products like fabric, needle art, custom framing, baskets, home accents, wearable art, arts and crafts, jewelry making supplies, and scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies at its more than 900 stores nationwide.

A 58,000-square-foot store at the intersection of U.S. Route 13 and College Road in Dover opened in September 2020. That store reportedly created upward of 50 jobs.

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12 Comments

  1. Avatar photo
    Ed Woelfert September 8, 2021

    I sure hope they carry ancient cuneiform tablets at this stote

    Reply
  2. Avatar photo
    Louise Truitt-Cecce September 8, 2021

    I am happy about this. I won’t have to drive to Dover. This location is five minutes from my house.

    Reply
  3. Avatar photo
    Dee September 11, 2021

    Happy to have a craft store close by

    Reply
  4. Avatar photo
    Janice S Garner November 1, 2021

    I am so happy that hobby lobby is opening this new store . I had called a few times to ask if they would ever come to Delaware and was told they were working on coming, i am so glad to see that they are coming to university plaza. Looking forward to getting jewelry and floral supplies to do my crafts.

    Reply
  5. Avatar photo
    Shirley A Marsh November 5, 2021

    About 2 months ago I went to the Hobby Lobby in Dover for a job interview. I waited 42 minutes for the person to come out to me. The cashier called her twice. After about 20 minutes of talking , she asked me what I was applying for. I told her Full Time & I was available from 6:00a.m. to 10:00p.m.. She said they only hire part time. I asked her about the four foot sign at the front door stating full time, $ 17.00 per hour. She said we had to prove ourselves. I asked her isn’t that why you call my present & past employer. She said no. That we would have to do part time for about a year at $ 11.00 per hour..I Thanked her for wasting my time and walked out. I haven’t been back since. It is a shame, I love shopping in the store.

    Reply
  6. Avatar photo
    Kristin Hamilton February 20, 2022

    I will be happy to shop at the Christina Mall instead of going to DoveršŸ˜„

    Reply
  7. Avatar photo
    Kristin Hamilton February 20, 2022

    I will be so happy for the store to open up in the Christina MallšŸ˜„

    Reply
  8. Avatar photo
    Liz Marie February 28, 2022

    This store is NOT opening in the Christiana Mall. It is opening opening in the University Plaza on Rt 273. Great location because the mall is waaaay too confusing.

    Reply
  9. Avatar photo
    Diana Woodring March 22, 2022

    I was just at University Plaza today & they is no sign of a Hobby Lobby? In fact, there’s a new Burlington sign saying ā€˜coming soon’. I took pictures but, unfortunately, no where to post them here. I’m confused šŸ¤¦ā€ā™€ļø

    Reply
  10. Avatar photo
    Paul Alcock April 27, 2022

    I have prayed for this day for years thank you God for answer ing my prayers

    Reply
  11. Avatar photo
    Rita S. July 24, 2022

    I am so happy Hobby Lobby is finally coming to Newark, DE!! I like to do rubber stamping and scrapbooking. Sewing is another nice hobby. Can’t wait!

    Reply
  12. Avatar photo
    Donna Valentine October 30, 2022

    Wouldn’t it be nice if people actually read the article before they commented!

    Reply

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