My first time in Hobby Lobby

tadoflamb · Jan 20, 2017

Yesterday, I made my first visit to a Hobby Lobby.

That place is absolutely chock full of cheap, commercial junk. Given that Hobby Lobby touts itself as a good Christian business, it begged the question, "Why are Christians in the business of selling cheap, commercial junk?"

What does this say about the current state of western Christianity?

archer75 · Jan 20, 2017

In my opinion, it doesn't say anything directly about western Christianity, but it is an example of the fact that for a lot of people, Christianity is a "brand name" that they can slap onto their products.

I suppose it might say that the whole idea of Christianity in much of the West is so confused and diluted that to many it means some sort of "generic, white, proper-looking (regardless of actual behavior) people".

Same thing with Quaker Oats. The word "Quaker" and the image of an "old-timey Quaker-looking man" (originally actually intended to represent William Penn) are there to push the idea that the people selling you the packaged oats are honest.

If an organization promotes itself as Christian and you witness then doing anything but cooking breakfast for hungry kids, look very closely before assuming they're anything but grifters (slight exaggeration here, but not much).

PS: I am not super into crafts, but two craft people I know -- one of them a devout Roman Catholic -- have warned me off Hobby Lobby for the reasons noted in the OP.

Shiloh Raven · Jan 20, 2017

tadoflamb said:
Yesterday, I made my first visit to a Hobby Lobby.

That place is absolutely chock full of cheap, commercial junk. Given that Hobby Lobby touts itself as a good Christian business, it begged the question, "Why are Christians in the business of selling cheap, commercial junk?"

What does this say about the current state of western Christianity?

I agree with you about Hobby Lobby, Tad. It is chock full of cheap, commercial junk, that is way over priced.

DaisyDay · Jan 20, 2017

It's a craft store, tadoflamb. It sells middle of the road craft supplies at pretty much the going rate. If you want cheap, go to Dollar Tree. If you want non-commercial, go to craft fairs.

Why would you expect non-commercial merchandise at a commercial enterprise?

Aryeh Jay · Jan 20, 2017

Tallguy88 · Jan 20, 2017

It's not representative of Western Christianity, why would it be? It's owner is a Christian, but it's not an exclusively Christian store.

tadoflamb · Jan 20, 2017

DaisyDay said:
It's a craft store, tadoflamb. It sells middle of the road craft supplies at pretty much the going rate. If you want cheap, go to Dollar Tree. If you want non-commercial, go to craft fairs.

Why would you expect non-commercial merchandise at a commercial enterprise?

As we like to say in the art world, you can tell something about the creator by the creation. Maybe I'm spoiled by the Catholic tradition of great art, but I was surprised by how cheap and artificial everything seemed in there.

But then again, a find a lot of Christianity cheap and artificial so it sort of makes sense.

BTW, I work for a retail art store so I'm familiar with pricing in the industry. While Hobby Lobby did have some items at a nice discount, others were priced over the MSRP. Another questionable practice by a 'Christian' company.

tadoflamb · Jan 20, 2017

Tallguy88 said:
It's not representative of Western Christianity, why would it be? It's owner is a Christian, but it's not an exclusively Christian store.

Well, they did make a big deal about being a Christian business when the ACA was being passed and they did have a sign on the front door announcing they are closed on Sunday's and why. There were a lot of cheesy craft projects around the store with bible passages and they were piping in contemporary Christian music (something I also find cheap and artificial) so if these guys were trying downplay the Christian aspect of their business then they were doing a lousy job.

Though we don't flaunt it, I also work for a family oriented, Christian owned business. Our store isn't full of a bunch of cheap, over-priced commercial junk. It actually reminds me of a beautiful Catholic church which makes sense since the owners are both devout Catholics.

Tallguy88 · Jan 20, 2017

I just don't see what the problem is, why you need to randomly attack HL. I like to go in there and look around. They serve a market and seem to do it well.

Michie · Jan 20, 2017

Tallguy88 said:
I just don't see what the problem is, why you need to randomly attack HL. I like to go in there and look around. They serve a market and seem to do it well.

Had a reply. But it's not worth the fuss.

DaisyDay · Jan 22, 2017

tadoflamb said:
Well, they did make a big deal about being a Christian business when the ACA was being passed and they did have a sign on the front door announcing they are closed on Sunday's and why. There were a lot of cheesy craft projects around the store with bible passages and they were piping in contemporary Christian music (something I also find cheap and artificial) so if these guys were trying downplay the Christian aspect of their business then they were doing a lousy job.

Though we don't flaunt it, I also work for a family oriented, Christian owned business. Our store isn't full of a bunch of cheap, over-priced commercial junk. It actually reminds me of a beautiful Catholic church which makes sense since the owners are both devout Catholics.

Perhaps the answer is in the name - this is a mass market store for hobbyists; it's not really for artists' supplies unless you need something, anything, in a hurry.

Armoured · Jan 22, 2017

Tallguy88 said:
It's not representative of Western Christianity, why would it be? It's owner is a Christian, but it's not an exclusively Christian store.

Didn't they claim they were? Wasn't that their whole premise trying to get out of paying for employees' contraception or something like that?

Tallguy88 · Jan 22, 2017

Armoured said:
Didn't they claim they were? Wasn't that their whole premise trying to get out of paying for employees' contraception or something like that?

Based on the owner's personal beliefs. And they won, somewhat surprisingly. But they don't sell exclusively Christian merch.

I'm still not sure what the criticism is. If it doesn't suit your tastes, don't shop there.

Fantine · Jan 22, 2017

Love those dancing Pikachu's, Armoured.

I'm not that craftsy, but friends who are love Hobby Lobby.

If you want to shop there, look at the circular first, and get the 40% off one item coupon.

Weekly Ad

tadoflamb · Jan 23, 2017

Tallguy88 said:
I just don't see what the problem is, why you need to randomly attack HL. I like to go in there and look around. They serve a market and seem to do it well.

Since I am an artist, I work in a retail art store, I am a Christian and I was in Hobby Lobby the other day, I don't think it's fair to call the criticism random. Given all the fuss they made about being a Christian business, I was surprised to see that Christians were so into cheap, artificial, plastic junk.

tadoflamb · Jan 23, 2017

I admit, living in Catholicville I don't get out much, and I tend to avoid big box, corporate type stores.

I never had a problem with Hobby Lobby. I share their Christian/family values. However, a number of my customers were offended enough by their Christian message that they won't shop at Hobby Lobby and the only reason the boss sent me is because the atheist who normally runs these types of errands refused to go. So, naturally, I was curious to see what the fuss was all about.

I always assumed being a Christian business that they would attract Christian customers and sure enough, once there, I could tell they were Christians by their t-shirts.

You'd think that for a store that is crawling with young, fresh-faced employees that someone would ask an obviously confused, elderly shopper if I need any help in the twenty minutes I wandered their aisles, but no. No help came until I reached their very well staffed cash registers. It only took an employee and her manager about ten minutes to accept my business check.

And then there's the matter of their charging well over retail for common items.

I guess it's not fair to expect more from a business that flaunts it's Christian values, but as I reflect back on the rows, of temporary, artificial and cheap junk and the corporate nature of the service, I can't help to connect them to modern day Christianity and in a age of strip mall churches, creation museums and contemporary Christian artists, it actually all makes sense.

DaisyDay · Jan 23, 2017

tadoflamb said:
Since I am an artist, I work in a retail art store, I am a Christian and I was in Hobby Lobby the other day, I don't think it's fair to call the criticism random. Given all the fuss they made about being a Christian business, I was surprised to see that Christians were so into cheap, artificial, plastic junk.

Well, they are closed on Sundays...

Mountain_Girl406 · Jan 23, 2017

I've never been in one, with hobbies consisting of violin, Egyptian belly dance, vegan cooking, sports photography and ultra running, it doesn't seem to be a good fit. In other words, I'm no good at crafts.

Fantine · Jan 24, 2017

Me, too. I got the writing bug when my fourth grade teacher sent a poem I'd written to the Brooklyn Tablet--and they published it. I started piano at 9 because I would play songs on my aunt's piano by ear. But art was my downfall! I struggled to get C's, tarnishing my otherwise excellent report card.

My hobbies are singing, making music on piano, guitar, or autoharp, water aerobics and swimming, walking, reading, socializing with friends, and saving the world

High Fidelity · Jan 24, 2017

You get what you pay for. Not everyone can either afford or justify(either financially or simply because their needs don't demand it) the prices that accompany a lot of the higher end art supplies.

Someone painting along with Bob Ross isn't going to need $20 bottles of artist-grade oil paint.

My first time in Hobby Lobby

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