Hobby Lobby Shoppers Threaten to Boycott Over Pulled Holiday Merchandise
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With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, it’s time to start breaking out the holiday decorations —or perhaps shopping for festive new finds. One spot that you can typically head to for seasonal decor is Hobby Lobby , which also offers competitive prices. But now, the retailer is facing some major criticism, with angry shoppers demanding to know why Hobby Lobby seems to have pulled some holiday merchandise completely. Read on to find out why customers are threatening to boycott.
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In a new fact-check article from Snopes, the website confirmed that Hobby Lobby discontinued Hanukkah merchandise, as well as its Mardi Gras and Halloween product lines.
“The decision on what to offer our customers are based on many factors, including customer interest and what sells well,” a statement read to Snopes by a Hobby Lobby corporate customer service employee reads.
The statement continues, “Our seasonal merchandise assortment carried at Hobby Lobby is constantly changing, and they evaluate it annually. Due to the need to find additional space for some of our stronger categories as well as our newer ones, the decision was made over the last couple of years to discontinue several seasonal product lines, including Mardi Gras, Halloween and Hanukkah.”
RELATED: T.J. Maxx and Marshalls Are Closing Stores Starting Next Month—Here’s Where .
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While these products were apparently discontinued before last year’s holiday season, shoppers took note this year—and called for a boycott.
“Hobby Lobby has stopped selling any Hanukkah items,” a Facebook post from earlier this week reads. “Not only boycott them but flood them with emails and messages what you think of them. And very often share to your followers and friends.”
Another shopper attached a copy of the response she was given from Hobby Lobby about the decision to “refresh some of our core seasonal merchandise,” which was similar to the statement provided to Snopes. On Facebook, the poster captioned the screenshot: “ Bye bye Hobby Lobby !! You will never get another dollar from me!”
On X , yet another former customer wrote, “I was already boycotting Hobby Lobby but here is another reason to do so if you haven’t.” Other social media users also have alleged that Hobby Lobby is antisemitic.
Best Life reached out to Hobby Lobby for comment on the policy and calls for a boycott, and will update the story with its response.
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On its website, the arts and crafts retailer writes that it is committed to “honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with Biblical principles ,” and identifies itself as a “ Christian Company .” This isn’t the first time these principles have landed Hobby Lobby in hot water.
In 2013, the company came under fire following reports that it refused to stock Hanukkah goods. At the time, a shopper at a Hobby Lobby in Marlboro, New Jersey, noticed a lack of Hanukkah merchandise—and upon approaching an associate, they were reportedly told, “We don’t cater to your people,” NBC News reported.
The story was first reported in a blog post by Marlboro resident Ken Berwitz , who added that he then called the store and was informed that the reason for the lack of Hanukkah merchandise was related to the religious beliefs of Hobby Lobby founder David Green .
“Because Mr. Green is the owner of the company, he’s a Christian, and those are his values,” Berwitz alleged he was told.
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The ADL ended up accepting Green’s apology on Oct. 4, 2013, and that same day, Hobby Lobby let shoppers know via Facebook that “due to overwhelming demand in the Northeast,” it would be selling “Jewish holiday items in a number of stores to test the market in New York and New Jersey.”
T.J. Maxx and Marshalls Are Closing Stores Starting Next Month—Here’s Where
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Not only do off-price retailers offer steep discounts—they also provide something of a treasure hunt whenever you go in, because their inventory is always changing. Any good bargain hunter or shopper looking for unique finds probably knows where their nearest T.J. Maxx or Marshalls is located. But both retailers, which are owned by parent company TJX, just announced a new slew of closures in different U.S. regions. Read on to find out where T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are closing stores.
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The first store to close is a Marshalls store at Snyder Plaza in Philadelphia . The store will see its final day on Dec. 9, per a statement from TJX provided to The Philadelphia Inquirer .
“We are grateful for the loyalty of our Philadelphia customers,” the statement reads. The company also confirmed that the 60 associates employed at the South Philadelphia location would be offered positions at nearby stores.
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Another Marshalls store is closing in New York early next year, Insider reported. The store at 610 Exterior Street in the Bronx is officially closing to the public on Jan. 6, 2024, and 100 employees will be terminated “on, or around” Jan. 10, 2024, according to a notice filed with the New York State Department of Labor WARN Unit last month.
Per a separate WARN notice, a T.J. Maxx store located at 503 Fulton Street in Brooklyn is also closing to the public on Jan. 6, with its 69 employees terminated around Jan. 10.
A company spokesperson told Bronx News 12 that all employees from both locations would also be offered positions at other stores.
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The Midwest is losing a T.J. Maxx location as well. According to Block Club Chicago, the T.J. Maxx store on 1008 S. Canal Street in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago , is shuttering on Jan. 6.
“We are always assessing and reviewing our real estate strategies, and our decision to close these stores reflects that thinking,” a TJX spokesperson told Best Life in a statement. “We have offered all our associates in these stores other jobs in nearby locations. We are grateful for the loyalty of our New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia customers and invite them to visit our nearby stores to continue to find great values.”
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While the majority of closures are taking place after the holiday shopping season, TJX started shuttering stores last month. On Oct. 8, the T.J. Maxx in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota , closed after 10 years in business, Axios reported. The retailer provided a similar statement about “assessing and reviewing real estate strategies,” also noting that 55 managers and associates from the location were offered jobs at other stores.
Additionally, as of Oct. 21, HomeGoods has shut down its online store. The news was announced in an email to customers on Oct. 18, Insider reported.
“It’s because of you that we’ve been able to grow to 900 stores strong (and counting), always delivering exceptional value! We are committed to bringing you an amazing experience—one that will continue to deliver a large selection of quality good at incredible savings,” the email reads, per a screenshot published by Insider. “In an effort to deliver on this vision, we’ve made the decision to focus our resources on our brick-and-mortar stores and will no longer offer online shopping after Oct. 21.”
HomeGoods went on to state that it has plans for several store openings—and it appears that the retailer is making good on that promise. It opened new stores in Richmond, Virginia , and Shelton, Connecticut , late last month, and on Nov. 9, it’s opening another location in Wichita Falls, Texas .
