Hobby Lobby planned for GF
January 14, 2013 at 11:25 am in Grand Forks Herald
Grand Forks will be getting a Hobby Lobby big box store near 32nd Avenue South, according to plans submitted to the city Planning Department earlier this month.
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So?
Whats that got to do with the simple fact that Jobs are coming to town and a place to maybe find the stuff to start a hobby?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Cheer up, man. At least ours isn’t going to be a remodeled Kmart like Fargo’s.
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good thing the city didn’t mandate that you use the store.
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I find what i want at other hobby stores. do you have something against model rockets? they are fun way to spend an afternoon with little wind. Overall, I have no interest in supplying money to an out of state religious organization.
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It’s about time they opened one in Grand Forks! I for one can’t wait for it to open. I’m tired of going to other cities for one.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Isn’t this just a duplication of what Micheal’s offers? Wonder if it’s going to drive them out of business.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Aren’t there hundreds of hobbies besides knitting and other crafts like at Michaels?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Micheals wont see any less of me that’s for sure. I get in there from time to time.
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isn’t Lowe’s just a duplication of what Menard’s has to offer? isn’t Burger King just a duplication of what McDonald’s has to offer? we can have more than one kind of any store in town. Really, it is allowed.
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It would be funny to ask Altru their opinion on that.
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If it’s going to have the variety that the Fargo store does, than I am excited. Seriously, the yarn selection at Michaels is pathetic. JoAnn’s is a bit better, but still not what I would like it to be.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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“drive them out of business”? You mean offer some fair competition in a free market system? Yes. I’ll shop Hobby Lobby and pay a higher price for something simple like a can of spray paint, or a plant pot, simply because of their Christian values. I’ll eat Chic-Fil-A too, just because of who they are.
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I’ll do the exact opposite so we’ll cancel each other out. I just don’t understand when people wear their religion on their sleeves. Do what you want in your religous life, but leave me out of it when it comes to your business. I wouldn’t dream of running my business that way. Not a Christian? Sorry, can’t help you. Wow. That comes dangerously close to discrimination against people who are different for some reason.
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Man am I excited about this! I can get all my craft, knitting, and sewing needs in a one stop shop! I have a few sweaters and scarfs to make, plus my pine cone door decorations for next christmas.
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The comments here crack me up. Do you people believe in capitalism or not? Of course there is a chance it will drive Michael’s out of business. The corporate owners certainly hope so. Why else would they be investing the time & effort? Competition is good for consumers; not necessarily businesses.
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Michaels and Hobby Lobby seem to do a fair amount of business in Fargo. How much of that is ‘Grand Forks’ traffic only they would be able to tell. I don’t go their often and primary use them for things like glue, and cutting utensils. They are obviously more geared to the female persuasion as far as hobbies.
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maverick, I agree. When I lived in Arizona I had both within a few miles of each other and I regularly shopped both stores. They are very much the same concept but just enough different to keep both alive. Similar to the grocery store comparison already mentioned.
Now however because of the vicious media attack against them for standing on their beliefs, due to our dictator-in-chief’s attack against freedom, they would get all my business. If I need it and they got it, I will buy it from them.
Red
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“Dictator in chief”? You mean the person who was elected by the majority of Americans that you don’t like? Suck it up man.
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Yep, that’s the one all right.
It’s happened many times throughout history. Masses of people enamored almost into a trance like state by a charismatic leader. I don’t think I need to list all the examples. People buy into the lies and rhetoric and promises of free stuff. People are moved by cunning charismatic speakers. Human psychology being what it is, I’m not at all surprised that he won. I’m not at all surprised at the staggering ignorance of the left either. I call it “the lemming effect”.
By the way, what makes you think I haven’t already “sucked it up” as you say? Because I state an opinion on these boards? Isn’t that what you do, state your opinion? Isn’t that what these forums are for? What exactly do you mean “suck it up”? You mean if you and I disagree, I should just shut my mouth? Funny, that sounds like something Obama would say.
“It’ll creep up on you so slow, you’ll never see it coming.
……when you do, it’ll be too late.”
As Always,
Red
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Lighten up, red. This Obama guy has really gotten under your skin. Contemplate the idea that if someone doesn’t agree with your point of view, doesn’t make it wrong or make the person who holds that view ignorant. I “sucked it up” the entire time Bush was president and so can you.
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I’m sure Michaels will do just fine.
They have a good selection for people looking for that sort of thing.
I think Hobby Lobby will tend to cater more to the other hobbies, the ones that are not well supported in this area.
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I have to agree with FN. I live in Springfield, Missouri and have traveled the country quite a bit. Hobby Lobby and Michaels are just like McDonalds and Burger King – that is to say they compete against each other. In markets large enough, you will find both of them so it is unlikely that either will go out of business because of the other. It is a healthy competition. If Grand Forks is not a big enough market to handle both, then one or the other will leave. After reading all of the comments on this subject, I am saddened by the people who want to turn it into a religious forum. The owners of Hobby Lobby are Christians and they will NOT be open on Sundays or Christmas or Thanksgiving. They respect their employees and also stand by the religious beliefs of the ownership. Very similar to Chick-fil-A. If you don’t like it you just don’t work there. There is nothing to say you have a RIGHT to work there and set your own rules. If you have a hang up with your beliefs vs their beliefs, just don’t shop there. But why whine about it on a public forum.
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When Lowe’s came to town I thought for sure it was trying to compete with Menards and see it close. I was wrong. I’ve only been to Lowe’s a couple of times. I’d prefer to do business with a company that isn’t trying to have a monopoly in the market. People might be expecting Hobby Lobby’s moving here to result in Michael’s closing. I don’t see that happening. Our community lost a great thing when Craft’s Direct/Ben Franklin closed. Right now Michael’s is the only store in town that offers a wide array of craft supplies. Joann’s offers some, but doesn’t have as wide an array or cover every craft that people are interested in. We need more options so that we don’t have to make a jaunt down to Fargo so much. I also foresee an increase in Canadian business in our city with the addition of this store. If they are coming down to the US for craft shopping, they won’t have to drive to Fargo anymore.
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The worst thing about these stores is they sell supplies to people to make cute artsy things that their children will have to clean up after they die. Anyone who has had to clean out their parent’s homes will know what I mean.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Like an old bedroom piled 3 ft deep with a bunch of what I call art and knitting crap around the sewing machine. Not looking forward to it, the only answer i get is bring the loader to the window, scoop it out, have a bonfire.
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I gotta pull the you know what you’re getting into card… no one is forcing you to work at Hobby Lobby. I don’t necessarily agree with their practices, but it’s their business. They seem to do just fine even if their practices alienate some.
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Correct. I disagree with Chick Fil A stance on homosexuality and have stopped eating there because of it (which is a bummer since I liked their food). That said, I have always admired their stance to be closed on Sunday (the busiest shopping day). They put their money where their mouth is. You have to respect that.
When I lived in PHX a number of local stores were owned by Orthodox Jews and Seventh Day Adventists. They were closed Fri night till Sunday morning. People would complain. My question to them was: if you are a devout Christian, why do you patronize any store open on Sunday. Last time I checked the Sabbath was not the exclusive property of the Orthodox or Seventh Day Adventists.
My Pastor agreed with me, but for political reasons I don’t remember ever hearing a sermon on the practical applications of the Sabbath. There is no prohibition against shopping, but working.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a nurse and therefore allowed to work on the Sabbath. I would prefer not, but since people insist on trying to die on God’s day I get to do my thing.
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flyingnurse – I have often wondered myself throughout the years the same thing. As Christians we (at least I) am sure happy for all those people working on Sundays when I go shopping or fuel up my vehicle, or go out to eat after church. I’m not working but I am taking advantage of those who are and “enabling” so to speak, those who are doing what I profess is wrong. Always seemed a little hypocritical to me. But it’s never stopped me.
Honestly, I don’t believe it is wrong, if your heart is right. If your heart is not right, it’s not going to matter what legalism you follow. Matt. 22:36-40.
Red
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I think we should pull the ‘workplace safety’ card and force them to be open on Sundays. There have been more people murdered in this world in the name of religion.. Absolutely dangerous for employee mental well being.
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What do you mean with the word ‘practice’? Do they force you to go to their church? Do they force you to observe the sabbath? (They close on Sunday – that is their way to respect it). Do they force you to tithe to your church (if you even have a church)? Do they force you to do anything, in a religious vein, that you don’t want to do? It sounds like you just want them to support your sex life by providing the tools to prevent pregnancy. Pay for them yourself.
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Yeah….I’m kinda of at a loss here myself trying to figure out how they are forcing religion on anyone. Could someone please explain to me what exactly they are doing which infringes on anybody’s right? Is it because they close one day out of the week and that day is Sunday? Are they hiring only Christians? Are they forcing a group prayer at the beginning of each shift? Are they requiring mandatory bible-study attendance? Taking tithe out of employee paychecks?
None of the above would be right by me, so please explain it and I may change my whole outlook on this controversy.
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Sorry, don’t be too harsh on my comment above. I was still thinking about the Chic-Fil-A brohaha which I will never understand. Hobby Lobby is clearly different but I support both 100 percent.
Wish this comment machine had an “edit” function.
Red
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These outfits you support, such as Chic-Fil-A, are not run by Christians. They are run by religious fanatics. Chic would not even hire Jesus in the south because he was a Jew. Also in TN if you are Jewish they will not hire you. So you support a so-called religious company?
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greatday hit the nail on the head. These guys practice a preverted form of Christianity that is based on hate and homophobia. If they were truely Christian, they would be acting like Jesus leading with love and acceptance.
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Slightly off topic, but I believe Grand Forks could use a good bookstore. Fergerson is a little too crowded for browsing and campus books does fill the niche, but has limited hours and small collection.
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Not gonna happen considering the rumor Barnes and Noble is on the verge of bankruptcy.
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They can join Borders, B. Dalton, Waldens (subsidiary of Borders) in BK court.
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I agree. A person can never have too many books at their fingertips. Reading is a far more enjoyable experience when you have an actual book in hand. And, whereas technology is not so reliable, books are. They will never stop working. . . .never have technical issues. . .never need expensive technical or repair service. Some say that the data in books becomes outdated. True [depending on the subject matter], but after it “expires” it becomes a part of our history. Printed books are far more valuable than people give them credit for.
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I agree unless the book is a novel. Than I prefer to read it online and store it in my computer’s memory instead of on a bookshelf.
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Hmm. I didn’t find one mention of religion in the article, but I did find information about the plans for a great store to make a home in Grand Forks. People will use any excuse to jump on a “let’s put religion down” bandwagon. So what if the owners of this store are Christians. Many business owners are. So what. If I were a betting person, I would bet that there are more Christian business owners who are honest than there are non-Christian business owners.
Regarding business hours, business owners can set any hours of operation they want for their company. Hobby Lobby is not the only company that is closed on Sundays. And, the reason for being closed on any given day doesn’t necessarily have to do with religious reasons. There are many families who don’t even go to church who consider Sunday a “family day”. I’ve worked with many people who were like this and because they had families they wanted to recreate with or they didn’t want to miss a game, I always ended up being the one to work on Sundays even though I have church that day.
The owners of this business are not “forcing” employees to adhere to their religious beliefs simply because they are not open on a specific day of the week, the same day of the week on which many businesses are closed. I’m almost positive that prospective employees are not asked about their religious beliefs at job interviews and they are most likely aware of the operating hours before they even decide to apply for a job with the company. Maybe the owners recognize the importance of family and are simply allowing their employees a day with their families.
People need to stop turning everything into a religious issue. The truth is that people don’t like the “inconvenience” of not having everything they want when they want it. There are many other days and times on which this and other businesses are open. Make plans to go when they are open instead of expecting them to be open on the one day of the week you feel you “need” them to be open. I work full-time just like many other people. I am also a single parent. I don’t find it difficult or an inconvenience at all to have to schedule my errands around my work schedule and the days and times various businesses are open. Why is it so hard for other people who have help with kids and the responsibilities at home? I don’t have help. If you’re having such a problem finding time to run those important errands when stores are open, chances are you are over-scheduled with activities outside of work.
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Clearly ron you’ve never been in a Hobby Lobby store or you would know they are much more than what you reference. Therefore your mockery is myopic at best and any credibility you have diminished.
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Red … Welcome to the Forks. It’s great to see you on here.
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Thank you Ma’am.
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Or I will knit some booties for mr snuggles?
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Why are you mocking crafts/people who make crafts (I say as I put away the sock I’m currently in the process of knitting)?
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Why are there laws regulating liquor sales on Sunday? Why can’t I marry the man of my dreams in North Dakota? No one would be forcing you to buy liquor on Sunday or “gay” marry. Where is my freedom FROM religion?
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Live and let live is an example of freedom from religion.
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I doubt Mr.Red Handy or the people who give him thumbs up live with that thought in mind.
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He adds to the conversation. This forum would be dull if we all felt the same way about every topic.
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Ah… liberal thought.
Ideology based on pluralism, the great equalizer, where there are no overarching values and all ideas, thoughts and values are to be accepted and respected.
Unless of course they run counter to the liberal belief system. In which case we will mock, deride, ostracize, demonize and even persecute you for your belief system.
Ah….. liberal thought. The great equalizer.
As Always,
Red
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Better to be christian, not be part of any religion. religious groups have lost the true point of christianity since they began.
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Excuse me red, where do you get off attacking my posts! I am not mocking anything, I. Am excited to have another store which will cater to my hobby needs. Sorry that my hobbies include sewing, knitting, and crafts! I am truely offended and dissapointed in your hurtful comments.
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Hmm. Seems like the list of topics we’re allowed to comment on is off the Herald website. Might not be long now before the comments are gone completely.
As a stopgap in case the AV comments go down, I’ve set up http://gfk.campusdakota.com to continue the community dialog. No moderation of content, I promise.
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