By David Purtell

david.purtell@salisburypost.com

Hobby Lobby says its Salisbury store could be open in early September and will employ up to 50 people.

Hobby Lobby, a privately held national retail chain of craft and home decor stores, will have a store at the Shoppes at Summit, a retail complex currently being developed at the Summit Corporate Center off Julian Road.

This is Hobby Lobby’s 22nd location in North Carolina and is projected to open in early September, a press release from the company said. The location will bring about 35 to 50 jobs to the community paying $15.24 per hour for full-time and $10.16 per hour for part-time associates.

The job openings have not yet been posted to the company’s website.

“The success of our stores in North Carolina is a good indicator that area shoppers will be pleased with the quality, selection and value we offer in the craft and home decor market. New customers and customers already familiar with the Hobby Lobby shopping experience are greatly anticipating this store opening,” stated John Schumacher, assistant vice president of advertising.

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., headquartered in Oklahoma City, began as Greco, a miniature picture frames company in 1970. When David Green moved his business from the family’s garage to a 300 square foot retail space in 1972, Hobby Lobby was founded.

Today, Hobby Lobby has over 650 stores across the nation that average 55,000 square feet in size.

Other stores going in at the Shoppes at Summit include a Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kirkland’s home decor, Salsarita Fresh Cantina, Five Below and Mattress Firm.