About two dozen shoppers were waiting when the Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., held its grand-opening celebration of its newest store, in Lutz.
They joined store employees and members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce for the 9 a.m., ribbon cutting ceremony on March 18.
The store, at 25675 Sierra Center Drive, is Hobby Lobby’s 865th store. It is located in the Cypress Creek Town Center, which is west of Interstate 75, off State Road 56.
Suzanne Beauchaine, executive director of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Manager Brooke Pancoast and her team to the chamber, which has a 44-year history of promoting the interests of businesses and supporting community organizations.
“Our new location is great for many of our customers, who have been driving to our stores in Zephyrhills and New Port Richey,” Pancoast said.
“While we expect to keep many of our loyal store customers in Zephyrhills, many will now shop at the new Lutz store because it is closer and more convenient,” said Kevin Ross, Hobby Lobby’s Zephyrhills store manager.
Shoppers were eager to check out the new store.
“We love the home accessories and art supply areas of the store,” said Monica Salter, who attended the Lutz grand opening with her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Salter. “Plus, Hobby Lobby has wonderful discounts on holiday items that we always appreciate.”
Both women reside in Wesley Chapel, and have also shopped Hobby Lobby stores in Zephyrhills, North Carolina and Colorado.
Shopper Lynn Eberhart said, “I’m learning to quilt, and we came by to see what Hobby Lobby has for quilters.”
She came to the grand opening with her husband, Joey, who said he enjoys looking at the memorable and clever signs Hobby Lobby stocks.
Hobby Lobby is a privately held national retain chain of craft and home décor stores.
Each store offers more than 70,000 crafting and home décor products, including floral, fabric, needle art, custom framing, baskets, home accents, wearable art, arts and crafts, jewelry making, scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies, according to a company news release.
The Oklahoma City-based private corporation got its start in 1970 as Greco, a miniature picture frame company. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays.
Published March 20, 2019
