Boardman Hobby Lobby to relocate

Staff report

boardman

The Hobby Lobby store on U.S. Route 224 will relocate from Boardman Plaza to Tiffany Square, the same plaza as the newly opened Fin, Feather & Fur Outfitters, according to a news release issued by Kutlick Realty, LLC — the company that negotiated the contract with Hobby Lobby.

In February, The Vindicator reported the plaza would see several renovations in coming months. This included an announcement of leasing 55,000 square feet to a major retailer. Hobby Lobby will operate on more than 55,000 square feet.

Hobby Lobby has more than 558 stores in the nation.

Kutlick Realty could not be reached Tuesday to comment on when the relocation will occur.

In addition to the new Hobby Lobby, the plaza will have new lighting, landscaping and sidewalks.

McDonald’s will move down in the plaza, and Chick-fil-A, now operating across the street, will take the McDonald’s location.

The plaza used to be home to Value City, which closed in 2008.

Zoning Inspector Sarah Gartland knows the intersection at 224 and South Avenue is a “visible intersection,” and the township wants it to show the “prosperity and pride of the community.”

“I love new stores and new companies coming in,” she said. “I look forward to whatever takes the place next to Giant Eagle [in Boardman Plaza].”

WP Realty operates Boardman Plaza and could not be reached to comment on the relocation of Hobby Lobby — a store listed as a “major tenant” on the company’s website.

Last year, Verizon Wireless announced the shutdown of its call center located in the same plaza as Hobby Lobby and Giant Eagle. The shutdown led to the loss of 370 jobs, according to Vindicator files.