Hobby Lobby is set to bring its arts and crafts empire to Ukiah, taking over the former JCPenney building on North Orchard Avenue. The arrival of the national retailer marks a major shift for the shopping district, filling a space left vacant when JCPenney closed in May 2024.
Jesse Davis, Ukiah’s chief planning manager, confirmed that Hobby Lobby submitted a building permit application in mid-February to renovate the property at 205 North Orchard Avenue.
“As part of this comprehensive renovation, accessibility features will be upgraded to meet current standards,” Davis said in a statement. “The building, originally approved in 1978, was home to JCPenney for most of its history, with a short-term seasonal tenant in 2024.”
Davis stated that the city is currently reviewing the plans. The proposed renovations will not expand the building’s footprint but will include “minor modifications to the storefront entry and associated signage.”
“Because the use remains consistent with the Community Commercial zoning district—and no new structure, expansion, or substantial exterior modifications are proposed—the project is proceeding through the standard building permit review process,” Davis explained.
Hobby Lobby’s move is part of a broader wave of retail and dining shifts in Ukiah. Just days before this news broke, it was revealed that Habit Burger, a Southern California-based fast-casual chain, will open in the former Denny’s location.
Hobby Lobby has yet to confirm a projected opening date. We reached out to the company for comment and a timeline but did not receive a response.
I remember when Penny’s was on School St.
Just what we need
Omg. We’re going to hell in a decorative basket.
How so??
Dog of Deviance, Hobby Lobby not only sells the cheapest fabric and home crafts (preying on women’s natural instinct to nest and create the folk art of our material lives) but they are also notorious for swooping up high visibility/close to freeway locations in many towns since 2023. Sewing, like many traditional crafts, is experiencing a sort of revival currently, as are many ‘trad’ trades and hobbies. And hobby lobby will offer fabric. Fabric is VERY limited in our town. There’s the Sewing Village and Walmart, that’s about it.
You see, instead of clothing stores, they want us making our own clothing. There are molds and resins of all kinds to now create your own plastic crap, to become your own factory and factory worker are home. Instead of buying a plastic bunny from China at Walmart, you can now buy the supplies to make your own at home, AND call it a hobby. Wear a prairie dress while you do it. Film it on tic tok, and launch your stay at home side hustle as a new mom.
That’s what hobby lobby represents, that and increased foot traffic and messed up Perkins Street freeway ramps.
Usher in the Golden Age!!
And really, the straw that collapses the camel, they sued the government so they wouldnt have to pay for contraceptives in their healthcare plan. You see, they want women at home, pregnant, and sewing your trousers so they don’t have to trade with chiba anymore. Yay!
What about a new spot for the Hospice Thrift Store?
This is the best news ive heard. This town needs a descent craft store. I thought of target but this is good news so ukiah dont blow it with red tape.
I guess their lease will finally fill both gaps of both an abandoned JCPenney and Denny’s
At least Jesse Davis is giving us The Habit. Can’t win on every spin.
Good Job! Habit Burger and Hobby Lobby announcement in the same month? Now the town needs to get the soon to be emptied courthouse parcel repurposed…2027 isn’t far away…and this Palace hotel still haunts this town…
I won’t be shopping at Hobby Lobby. I haven’t forgotten the Supreme Court case.
Same
https://www.reckon.news/news/2023/06/what-you-need-to-know-about-hobby-lobby-the-christian-craft-store-funding-the-duggars-bill-gothard-and-iblp.html
Nice to have a business occupying a currently vacant space. There are reasons for not shopping there. Following suggested web searches indicate some aspects of the ownership which might cause many to stay away. I could list a few, but won’t.
Well jeepers Wallace that’s real swell of you!