Hobby Lobby is a reliable destination for home décor, crafting necessities, and even party and baking supplies. The retailer has a nationwide presence, with stores in 47 U.S. states, so there's a good chance you frequent your local shop when you run out of paint, or feel like you need a seasonal spruce up. But if you’re heading to Hobby Lobby this month, you’ll want to be aware of one widely reported store policy. Read on to find out what the retailer won't let shoppers do in October.
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Hobby Lobby has been getting in the fall spirit.
Igisheva Maria / ShutterstockOver the summer, both Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann Fabrics rolled out their fall decorations—but not everyone was excited. Shoppers at both retailers weren’t happy to learn that the stores’ prices were sky high. Inflated price tags are nothing new in 2022, but customers aren’t willing to shell out extra cash for decorative pumpkins this year.
On July 30, a TikTok video criticizing Hobby Lobby was posted by @3sunzzz, where she showed one metal pumpkin selling for $59.99. The TikToker quickly said “no, thank you” before moving on to look for an even more expensive pumpkin, which was listed for $149.99. Decorations were 40 percent off at the time, but she stayed firm in saying that the products were overpriced regardless of any sale.
But while pumpkins have been on display for months, some typical craft store commodities will be missing from Hobby Lobby entirely in October.
You won’t see these festive decorations.
Photo Spirit / ShutterstockIf you're hoping to shop for Halloween decorations at Hobby Lobby, you’ll be disappointed. The craft store doesn’t sell spooky décor, House Digest reported, and in fact, when you search for “Halloween” on Hobby Lobby’s website, only five definitively non-spooky items pop up—a can of spray paint, general holiday stencils, and three kinds of textured scrapbook paper.
Available décor is strictly “fall-themed,” including those infamous pumpkins; lots of orange, green, and yellow; and items that you’d probably use closer to Thanksgiving.
Customers have taken notice.
The Image Party / ShutterstockIf you’re familiar with Hobby Lobby, you probably know that they’re always closed on Sunday, and you might also be aware of their religious affiliations.
While they’ve never formally confirmed it, many speculate that Hobby Lobby doesn’t sell Halloween decorations that err on the creepier side, because this décor may not align with certain traditional Christian values. This is in large part due to historic "demonic symbolism" and ties back to the Pagan holiday Samhain, House Digest reported.
Shoppers have taken notice. “If I ever get bored I can always go to Hobby Lobby and ask for the Halloween section ‘Our FALL FESTIVAL section is over here,'” an Oct. 5 tweet reads.
While some poked fun, others criticized the lack of Halloween décor, as the retailer reportedly sells items associated with other holidays with pagan roots. According to History Collection, other holidays with Pagan traditions include New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, and even Christmas.
"My girlfriend wanted to look at Halloween decorations...we went to Hobby Lobby," one user tweeted on Oct. 3. "There's no Halloween decorations there."
Hobby Lobby's religious values have previously stirred controversy.
Ken Wolter / ShutterstockYou can easily find Hobby Lobby's religious values outlined on the “Our Story” page website. In addition to offering “exceptional selection and value” for customers, the retailer’s commitments include “honoring the Lord in all we do by operating in a manner consistent with Biblical principles” and “providing a return on the family’s investment, sharing the Lord’s blessing with our employees, and investing in our community.”
While deciding not to sell items with witches, black cats, or ghosts isn't overwhelmingly controversial, this isn't the first time that Hobby Lobby has been called out for its religious beliefs and business practices.
According to The List, the company made headlines during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when owners and founders David and Barbara Green stated that Barbara has "received a message from God" that told them to keep stores open. Upon deciding to close stores in April 2020, staff was furloughed without pay. The company has also previously had to apologize for controversial comments back in 2013, Insider reported, and won a Supreme Court case in 2014 that allowed them to "withhold reproductive benefits" from employees.
