ASSOCIATED PRESS – WBAP/KLIF – Hobby Lobby says the ongoing threat of Covid 19 has forced it to close its stores until further notice. The Oklahoma City based arts and crafts chain says it’s furloughing all store employees, and many corporate and distribution workers. Many state and local governments, including most in North Texas, have issued orders to close all non-essential businesses to curb the spread of the virus. Hobby Lobby initially resisted the efforts, garnering the ire of Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, who called the company “out” last week.
In Texas, 180 Hobby Lobby stores were still operating until last week, calling their business “essential” as it sells fabrics. In North Texas, Dallas County sheriff’s deputies closed area Hobby Lobby stores Thursday, and employees were reportedly told the store would be shuttered until April 30th or further notice.
Reports indicate the company initially complied with mandates, but then decided to re open some stores including some locations in Texas and three other states. Hobby Lobby runs more than nine hundred stores nationwide. Colorado’s Senior Assistant State Attorney General reported the chain re opened its store in that state this week, despite the Governor’s declaration “…Hobby Lobby is not a ‘critical business'”
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