Aug. 12, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Hobby Lobby will open soon in the Airport Shopping Center, just off Route 22 in Hanover Township (Lehigh County).
The retail chain sells seasonal items, art and craft supplies, frames, kitchen and bath items and more. The pending opening was announced in a mailing.
Hobby Lobby will take the 916 Airport Center Drive space formerly used by Christmas Tree Shops. That chain went bankrupt in 2023. Hobby Lobby refers to the Hanover site as its Allentown location in the mailing.
Hobby Lobby was founded in 1972 and on its website, says it is the world’s largest privately owned (there are no traded shares) arts and crafts retailer, with more than 1,000 stores in the U.S.
The Oklahoma-based company is known for supporting Christian causes and not opening on Sundays.
It has an affiliate company, Mardel Christian and Education, according to its website. Mardel sells Bibles, books, movies, gifts, music, children’s products, apparel, office and church supplies, classroom and teacher supplies, seasonal products and homeschool curriculum.
“While retail strategies change, Hobby Lobby’s core values remain. These values led to the decision to close all stores on Sunday allowing associates time for family and for worship. They were also instrumental in the decision to give store employees pay raises well above the national minimum wage,” the company website says.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 