Hobby Lobby coming to Tiffin

Hobby Lobby, a national retail chain, plans to open a 60,000-square-foot store at Tiffin Mall by late 2023. The announcement was made Monday evening by Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership. TSEP said the new store is to create 60 full-time jobs, 20 part-time jobs, and there are plans to invest nearly $4 million into the future location. "The Tiffin Mall is thrilled to announce the signing of a new 60,000-square-foot anchor, Hobby Lobby," said mall owner Steve Roumaya in the TSEP news release. "Today's announcement will be the start of a renounced revitalization of the shopping center to bring more retail and restaurants to Tiffin and Seneca County." The release said the announcement is key to development and future growth at the mall. The nationally-recognized anchor tenant is to offer more than 70,000 items, including home décor and furniture, art and craft supplies, fabrics and similar items. Hobby Lobby and the mall owners Suder Pierson Properties plan to invest nearly $4 million into the site, including a new façade, full interior renovation and parking lot restoration, the release said. After completion, Hobby Lobby is to occupy the entire east side of the mall from Planet Fitness through the former J.C. Penney location. The deal is contingent on the approval of an agreement to assist with the offset of new property tax valuation from building improvements. "I'm excited (about) the announcement that Hobby Lobby is coming to the city of Tiffin and expanding our retail options," said Mayor Dawn Iannantuono. "The investment in the Tiffin Mall is just further proof that great things are happening everywhere in our community." Hobby Lobby was started in 1970 when David and Barbara Green took out a $600 loan to begin making miniature picture frames out of their home. Two years later, the fledgling enterprise opened a 300-square-foot store in Oklahoma City, and Hobby Lobby was born. Today, the store has more than 900 stores, making it the largest privately owned arts-and-crafts retailer in the world with more than 43,000 employees and operating in 47 states.