Area’s crafters, neighboring businesses welcome Loyalsock Township Hobby Lobby
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The new Hobby Lobby isn't just an exciting addition to the area's shopping experience. but also is a magnet for local employment and for customers heading to other nearby businesses and restaurants.
On Monday, as temperatures soared into the 90s, Margaret Thornton of Williamsport headed into the comfortable air-conditioned confines of the store.
As she left it, she described her experience at the store as "A plus-plus."
"I'm a creative type of person," Thornton said after spending her early morning in the store. "I love it."
For Thornton, the store does not sell merchandise with a fabricated look or feel.
Instead, she said, it has products that are practical and not out of touch for those on a tight budget.
"It is for every budget," Thornton said. "I will be back."
Township manager Bill Burdett said a board member was in over the weekend and said it was very nice.
"We're thrilled that they are here," Burdett said. "We were sad to see K-Mart go but glad the owner found a new tenant and there is additional space, so hopefully we will see some other new businesses."
In terms of real estate valuation, Hobby Lobby leases the space from the company that owns the Loyal Plaza, so it does not change real estate valuation, Burdett said.
What it does is put people on payrolls and draw customers who either shopped there or plan to to go to the restaurants, other stores and that helps boost the local economy, Burdett said.
"It certainly puts people to work and helps other businesses," he said.
Someone may need an auto part, tire, a beverage and there is the Giant, he said.
"If somebody is from out of town they will visit other businesses while they are here and that helps the economy," he said.
Tammy Hampton, formerly of Williamsport but now living in Florida with her husband, Rusty, left Hobby Lobby with two bags filled with items.
Inside her bags were cutting boards, picks for picnics and pool supplies.
Although it is a township store, Hobby Lobby is drawing customers from the region such as Pat and Allen Weaver, a mother and son who traveled from Sunbury to shop.
"I crochet and knit," Pat Allen said. "My husband David is an artist. He uses pen and ink."
"We are very excited," Pat Allen said, adding a friend of her's, Carla, spent seven hours in the store so far.
For a Cogan Station shopper, the amount of FarmHouse decorations for interior and exterior of residences and some small businesses was the draw.
Joanne Dowd of Muncy Valley said Hobby Lobby in her former residences in Colorado and Texas were a must-visit.
Now that she has returned home to the region the store offers her supplies for her kiln such as glue and glass.
Inside, once browsers get by the lobby which is also filled with items for sale, a store employee asked a customer, "Looking for anything in particular" as she handed out a flyer.
"Oh no," the man replied, "just coming in to look around."