Hobby Lobby reports ‘explosive’ grand opening

By THOMAS P. CALDWELL, LACONIA DAILY SUN

TILTON — Store manager Bob Jorgensen describes the grand opening of Hobby Lobby in Tilton as “explosive” and said, “It way exceeded any of our goals.”

The Tilton store, which held its grand opening on Sept. 4 after a “soft opening” on Sept. 1, operates out of renovated space formerly occupied by Shaw’s Supermarket. It is the Oklahoma-based company’s fifth New Hampshire retail establishment, and is the one farthest north. The others are in Manchester, Nashua, Rochester, and Seabrook.

“We were incredibly well-received,” Jorgensen said, adding that area residents had been looking for a local crafts store for quite some time. Prior to Hobby Lobby’s opening, they had to travel to Concord or Manchester for their supplies.

Jorgensen, who lives in Northfield, used to manage the Concord crafts store, Michael’s, and said one of the things that distinguishes Hobby Lobby is its extensive home accents and wall decor items, as well as its custom framing services.

“We’re a crafts superstore,” he said, “and the home accents have been huge for us.”

He said, “I’ve lived in this area for years, and didn’t realize there was such a need. I get called up all day long with people saying how grateful they are that we’re here.”

He added, “The parking lot’s not big enough.”

Assistant store manager Tommy Herrington said he came here from Jacksonville, Florida, where he had served 26 years in the sheriff’s office. “I love the store,” he said, noting that he had frequented a Hobby Lobby in Florida and was excited at the opportunity to help open the Tilton store.

The Tilton location employs 80 people, Jorgensen said. “We really care about our employees.”

Hobby Lobby is known for its generosity to employees, starting its full-time workers at $15.70 per hour and setting store hours that provide them with personal time. The store is closed on Sundays to allow them to attend church, and it closes every day at 8 p.m. to give them a chance to spend time with their families.

David Green and his family own the national retail chain, and Jorgensen said they are “strong on family values.”

Their focus on Christianity and family values has subjected the chain to criticism in some quarters, and Jorgensen said the Manchester store had some fallout from the Supreme Court case testing provisions of the Affordable Care Act that required employers to provide contraception. The company ultimately prevailed on religious grounds, when the court recognized closely held corporations as persons, which brought Hobby Lobby and similar operations protection under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.

Jorgensen said that strong religious sentiment has only helped the company, which is opening 70 stores a year at a time other retail chains are downsizing or closing completely.

“We haven’t seen any fallout in this area,” he said.

Hobby Lobby reports a grand opening in Tilton that exceeded company expectations. The staff includes, from left, Jonathan Cartier, Cards & Party Dept. manager; Bob Jorgensen, store manager; Tommy Herrington, asst. store manager; and Amy Kimball, customer service. (Tom Caldwell/Laconia Daily Sun)