I would like to start off with something positive: the store itself is well-kept, nicely stocked, and offers everything I could ever need in terms of décor, arts, crafts, and more. Unfortunately, that is where the positives for this particular location end.
I also want to make it clear that Hobby Lobby as a company should not be blamed for what I'm about to say. My concerns are specifically about the management at this store. The management here is, frankly, an absolute joke. They seem to believe that simply being in a position of authority gives them the right to belittle, intimidate, and disrespect anyone they consider "beneath them." They frequently establish and enforce rules that they themselves do not follow, yet they expect everyone else to comply without question.
Certain managers in particular come to mind--Justin, Nancy, and the store director, Steve. I personally know someone who works here and has been with the store for quite some time. Almost every day, they come home stressed, upset, or even in tears, largely due to the behavior of management--especially Steve. He has consistently belittled, been passive-aggressive toward, and shown outright disrespect to this employee, as well as several others.
Steve fails to fulfill his responsibilities as a store director. He is not only dismissive toward employee concerns but also disrespectful toward customers. When employees approach him with legitimate complaints, he rarely supports them. Instead, he displays blatant favoritism--so extreme it's sickening. His leadership style is essentially "my way or the highway," and because he is the store director, the rest of the management team follows suit.
One of the most troubling issues is his use of write-ups and threats of disciplinary action as a means to scare and intimidate employees. This is unethical, unprofessional, and deeply damaging to workplace morale. Because Steve operates this way, managers like Nancy and Justin have adopted the same tactics. For example, an employee might face a write-up after calling out sick for two days, yet one of their "favorites" can call out repeatedly for weeks without facing any consequences.
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. The store itself is great, and again, I do not believe Hobby Lobby as a whole is at fault here. But something urgently needs to change within the management of this location--starting with Steve, the store director. The work environment is toxic, demoralizing, and flat-out unacceptable. Steve isn't just allowing this environment to exist--he is the reason it exists, and the other managers follow his lead.
It's important to note that what I've written is not only based on what I've been told by employees but also on my own direct experiences as a customer. read more