Eira Wexford
You’ve probably seen the posts floating around on social media. A grainy screenshot of a fake news article or a frantic post from a friend of a friend’s cousin. The headlines are always dramatic and meant to grab you. “Hobby Lobby Announces Mass Closures!” or “The End of an Era for Crafters.” It gets you thinking, and then it gets you searching. The big question a lot of people are typing into their phones right now, especially as we head into 2025, is this: is Hobby Lobby going out of business? It’s a real concern for anyone who loves that wall of faux flowers or needs glitter in 47 different colors. Let’s actually look at what’s going on, separating the social media noise from what we can actually see happening with the company.
What’s Fueling These Rumors About Hobby Lobby?
It’s easy to see why people get worried. We’ve all watched big-name stores shut their doors for good. Think about Bed Bath & Beyond or Tuesday Morning. When a couple of those stores go down, it kind of makes everyone look nervously at all the other big box retailers. The rumor mill gets going fast.
A lot of the time these rumors start small. A single Hobby Lobby store might close in a specific town. This could be for a hundred different reasons. Maybe the lease was up and rent got too high. Or perhaps that location just wasn’t getting enough foot traffic to make sense anymore. But online, that one closing gets twisted. It becomes “Hobby Lobby is starting to close stores” which then becomes “Hobby Lobby is closing ALL its stores.” This is how misinformation normally spreads.
Then you have the general feeling about retail. The whole “retail apocalypse” idea has been around for years. The thought is that online shopping is just taking over everything. So whenever a brick-and-mortar store has any kind of hiccup, people jump to the conclusion that it’s going under. It’s a conclusion that is considered to be the most obvious one.
The Real Financial Picture of the Company
Here’s the thing that many people don’t know about Hobby Lobby, and it’s a big deal. The company is privately owned. It’s not on the stock market like Walmart or Target. This means they don’t have to answer to shareholders every three months. They can play the long game.
This private status means their financial books aren’t open for everyone to see. But what we do know points to a business model that is actually very stable, maybe more stable than many of its competitors. It’s a very different way of doing things.
No Long-Term Debt
This is the big one. David Green, the founder, has a policy of running the company without long-term debt. Think about that for a second. Most huge companies borrow tons of money to grow. Hobby Lobby grows using its own cash. This makes them incredibly resilient when the economy gets shaky. They aren’t worried about making huge interest payments.
Owning Their Buildings
Another key part of their strategy is that they typically own their store locations and warehouses. They aren’t just renting. This saves them from the headache of crazy rent increases from landlords. It gives them a huge amount of control and stability. So when you see a Hobby Lobby, they likely own the dirt it’s sitting on.
A Niche They Completely Dominate
Hobby Lobby isn’t just a craft store. It’s a home decor and seasonal powerhouse. People don’t just go there for yarn. They go to redecorate their living room for fall, get Christmas ornaments, or find that perfect fake plant for the empty corner. This broad appeal brings in a lot of different customers, not just hardcore crafters. They’ve built a very loyal following.
Challenges and Headwinds for 2025
Now, it’s not all sunshine and roses. To say they have zero problems would be wrong. There are some real challenges that Hobby Lobby is facing and will continue to face. These are things they need to watch out for.
Their online shopping setup, for instance, is not the best. It feels a bit dated compared to other big retailers. In a world where everyone wants to click and get something on their doorstep in two days, Hobby Lobby’s online presence is a weak spot. They seem to rely on getting you into the actual store. That’s a risky bet that may not work forever.
Then there’s the controversy. The company’s strong religious and political positions are a core part of its brand. For a lot of its customers, that’s a positive thing. But it also turns off a whole other group of potential shoppers who may disagree with their stances. This can limit their customer base in a way that stores like Michaels or Jo-Ann don’t have to worry about as much.
And like any store that sells a million little things, getting all that stuff can be a problem. Supply chains are still a bit messy globally. Delays or cost increases in getting products from overseas factories can mess with what’s on the shelves and how much it costs.
So, Is Hobby Lobby Going Out of Business? The Final Verdict
So after looking at all this stuff, what’s the answer? No, there is absolutely no credible evidence that Hobby Lobby is going out of business chain-wide in 2025.
Could your specific, local store close? Yes, that’s always a possibility for any retail location. But the company as a whole is built on a very solid financial foundation. Its private ownership and debt-free model make it much stronger than many of the retailers that have gone under recently.
The rumors are mostly just that—rumors. They are fueled by social media and a general anxiety about the state of retail. While Hobby Lobby has its own set of challenges to deal with, like improving its online game and navigating its controversial public image, it is not on the brink of collapse. Your 40% off coupon is safe for the foreseeable future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hobby Lobby Closing
1. Is Hobby Lobby going out of business in 2025?
Based on all available information, no. The company’s financial structure is very stable, and there has been no official announcement or indication of a mass shutdown. The rumors are not supported by facts.
2. Why do I keep seeing articles saying Hobby Lobby is closing?
These are generally clickbait articles or social media rumors. They often start when one or two individual stores close for local reasons, and people wrongly assume it’s a nationwide trend.
3. Is Hobby Lobby having money problems?
It is highly unlikely. As a private company that avoids debt and owns much of its real estate, it’s in a much healthier financial position than many publicly traded retailers who have struggled.
4. Will more Hobby Lobby stores close in the future?
Possibly. Any large retailer will close underperforming stores from time to time as part of normal business operations. But this is very different from the entire company going out of business.
5. Who are Hobby Lobby’s main competitors?
Their biggest direct competitors are Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. They also compete with the craft and home decor sections of big-box stores like Walmart, Target, and even online giants like Amazon and Wayfair.
Key Takeaways
No Mass Closure: There is no factual evidence to support the rumor that Hobby Lobby is going out of business in 2025.
Financially Solid: The company is privately owned, carries no long-term debt, and owns most of its property, making it financially very secure.
Rumors Are Just Rumors: The idea of a shutdown is mainly fueled by social media misinformation and general fears about the retail industry.
They Have Challenges: Hobby Lobby does face real issues, including a weaker online presence and public controversy that can affect its customer base.
Individual Stores May Close: Like any retailer, Hobby Lobby might close a specific underperforming store, but this is a normal business practice and not a sign of the company failing.
