William Morris
July 23, 2007
Barracudas make waves at state meet
July 25, 2007
After hitting some construction delays in January, Houma’s Hobby Lobby has finally become the company’s 10th store in Louisiana.
The new location and design is no different from the other nine Louisiana establishments, said John Schumacher, Hobby Lobby assistant vice president of advertising.
The 56,000-square-foot store, adjacent to the Academy Sports & Outdoor store, allows Houma residents new options for their home décor and artistry needs at an affordable price, he said.
Hobby Lobby came to Houma by popular demand.
“The residents wrote in to the corporate office requesting that a Hobby Lobby be constructed closer to the Houma-Thibodaux area,” Houma store manager Jake Gilmore said. “After some research on the area’s market, their wishes were granted.”
Gilmore said he is excited to be part of Houma’s expansion in the Houma Crossing shopping center, a 190,000-square-foot development on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
“Houma’s growing, and we are right there with it,” he said.
The store has added nearly 60 new jobs to the area. Gilmore said Hobby Lobby hired employees that have a knack for beautifying homes and creating art. “This better serves our customers because our employees can give that expert input,” he said.
The retail store features 15 specialty departments ranging from framing, seasonal supplies, floral to home accents. Gilmore said most of the revenue is coming from home accents and seasonal supplies, which are the biggest sections in the store.
Since the official opening on July 2, Gilmore said sales have been increasing day-by-day.
“We still have a few kinks to work out, but we will get to where we want to be,” he said. “Houma has a very good market for us. Opening sales have been extremely good compared to other Hobby Lobby’s in Louisiana.”
Gilmore said Hobby Lobby’s pricing is what sets it apart from similar retailers. “We have the similar products at half the price,” he said. “And if we don’t have the product, we have the materials that are used to make the product.”
Gilmore projects that Hobby Lobby will have a strong fourth quarter this year with fall and winter seasons right around the corner.
“Christmastime seems to be the time when all retailers’ profit margins increase,” he said. “With the responses we’ve received with our opening, I predict that during Christmas [sales] will be even better.”
Because of company policy, the retail store is only open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Gilmore said, “The store owner emphasizes ‘family first.’ Therefore, he has instructed each store to close on Sunday so employees can spend time with their families outside of their scheduled days off.”
The Houma store will soon offer instructional classes in welding and art. Area instructors will use the Hobby Lobby facility to teach the courses.
Hobby Lobby began operating 34 years ago in Oklahoma City and has 391 stores across 32 states. The company has projected sales of $1.65 billion this year.
The company affiliates include Crafts Etc.!; Mardel, an independent retailer of Christian materials; and Hemispheres, a home-furnishings and accessories store.
Houma has the received the 10th Hobby Lobby, a home decor and seasonal retail store, in Louisiana. Store Manager Jake Gilmore (pictured) said since the store’s opening earlier this month, the area has been very receptive to what Hobby Lobby has to offer. * Staff photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN
