The Hobby Lobby Arts & Crafts franchise has decided to raise its minimum wage for full-time employees ahead of Christmas in light of a “challenging” year.
On Sept. 14, Hobby Lobby announced its new full-time hourly wage of $17 per hour, stating that the new rate of pay will come into effect on Oct. 1. The increased hourly pay more than doubles the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
“From closing our stores on Sundays and at 8 p.m. the rest of the week, to providing some of the best pay and benefits in the retail industry, we are thankful that we are able to share our success with our valued employees,” Green continued. The family-centric company, he explained, wishes to preserve ample time for “rest, family, and worship” around work-related responsibilities.
This pay rise for full-timers represents the tenth time the company has raised its minimum wage since 2009, at which point Hobby Lobby was already offering a nationwide minimum wage above the federal minimum.
Investing in people, Green said, allows Hobby Lobby to attract and retain a “great group of associates” who, in turn, contribute toward the “wonderfully unique shopping experience” that Hobby Lobby’s loyal customers have come to expect and appreciate.
Hobby Lobby was founded in 1972 by David and Barbara Green after a successful experiment involving a $600 loan and handmade miniature picture frames two years previously. The first store, a 300-square-foot venue in Oklahoma City, soon became a thriving nationwide franchise.
As of 2020, there are 923 Hobby Lobby stores across 46 U.S. states, and faith remains a core value of the family-driven store.
