It's not a bad place to shop. With all of the recent moral problems in the media and whatnot, I sincerely try not to shop here, but in a competition between this and Wal-Mart, it usually wins. The interior is always clean, and while everything isn't always in perfect placement in the shelves, it's usually nearby or pretty close to where it should be. The store has a lot of random stuff - such is Hobby Lobby. You can buy random (but pretty, honestly) decorations for your home, framing for your photos or artwork, calligraphy supplies, fabric, seasonal stuff, paints, all types of posterboard, and so much more. It's a pretty big store, and they've done an okay job of organizing everything. Once you walk around it a few times, you'll have a general idea of where things are mostly located. I've had to return some items here before. Returns went smoothly and were processed without much of a problem. The biggest problem with this store is the staffing. The staff is nice enough, but no matter when I manage to go, I always get stuck in this a really long check-out line. There might be three other employees in the general vicinity - or even they sometimes come and stop by to chat with the employee running the register, but rarely does another employee hop onto a register. I understand that not all employees are trained for that, but when it starts being a line of 6 people and everything is going extremely slowly because the person has a giant cart of tiny items or is returning items (which is done in the same single-cashier line), it can get pretty slow. I've easily spent 15 minutes waiting in line here on multiple occasions. It's partly the customer's fault, I'm sure, as many of them aren't in a hurry so they don't rush through the check-out process, but still, it's frustrating. The cost of some of the items is also another problem. I don't expect cheap, but depending on what you're buying (especially if you're purchasing decor or furniture), you can expect to spend quite a bit of money. Some of the craft supplies are definitely cheaper, but their decor items can rack up quickly. Final thoughts: It's clean, easy-to-shop in, and the employees are friendly enough. They usually have a general idea of where things are if you need to find something. If possible, I'd much rather shop at Jo-Anns which is just next door, but there are lots of things Jo-Anns doesn't carry. For those things, I'll be heading to Hobby Lobby - and making sure I'm not in a hurry. read more

Tami in the fabrics department was so helpful. She was precise and pleasant when helping me with the upholstery, but assisting me in finding the right sewing machine is where she shines! She taught me so much in the short time I was there! read more

This place is a frequent stop for me. Their fabric selection is a bit disappointing but I am usually able to find anything else I need here. There's always a large number of items on sale so if you shop thrifty you can usually get what you need at 30 - 50% off. Make sure you check out their coupon online too as frequently you can find one for 40% off the regular price of one item. If you're looking for clearance check out the back wall of the store. Things here are not always organized very well and some of the things have been back there for quite a while so I wouldn't recommend buying paint or things of that nature from this area. read more

I really, really like this store, but the more I shop there, I find the products are cheaply made or pretty beaten up. I do not think it's by the employees. So many consumers just throw merchandise around and don't care what they do to it if they're not going to buy it. But what the store can do is better manage the long checkout lines. There's a line 10 customers deep and the only register that's open is the one for returns. Please call more associates up to the registers sooner. It is infuriating when there's only one or two registers open, a long line behind each, and three to five associates returning merchandise or organizing shelves. read more

This store is a nightmare to shop in if you are looking for something specific. The store organization is very poor and there aren't any signs to help you find what you need--it is almost as if they expect you to memorize the layout of the store if you want to find something by yourself. Also, they were understaffed when I went. I asked someone up front if they could help show me where a product was and she couldn't leave and basically just told me to look in the back corner of the store. Also, while I was checking out, all the lights in the store randomly went out. I don't know if this was an electrical issue or just someone messing with the lights, but it was strange. For me, I like organization and being able to find things quickly, so I can't say this is a place I would want to shop at if I could help it. read more

I used to frequent hobby lobby as I am an avid scrapbooker.... But due to their lawsuit attempting to deny certain forms of birth control to women, I will no longer be shopping there. I hope you will join me in not shopping at Hobby Lobby until this suit is dropped. What kind of birth control a woman chooses to use is none if her employers business and it would be too bad if this suit set a precedence for other businesses to follow. read more

I have spent many hundreds of dollars at hobby lobby over many years. I continue to shop there as there are few such options in Ames. However, the checkers are rarely friendly and I always have to watch that they give me the proper discounts, even though I always inform them when my items are on sale. Today I did the same as all items in my cart were 50 percent off. I told the checker this and asked her to tell me if I were mistaken on any items. I knew I was not as I checked carefully when putting the items in my cart. The checker never even acknowledged me, and Incorrectly rang up two items. I did not notice this until I checked the receipt in the parking lot. The amount was small so I did not go back in as it was very crowded. However, there really is no excuse for this action, especially since the items were the same brand, all on sale and the clerks have a list for reference. This has happened to me so many times that it makes me believe that such "oversights" are done purposely. Have you ever shopped at Walgreens? They have been fined for such actions. A word of advice, watch the checker as she rings you up at Hobby Lobby or you will be paying full price for items on sale. read more