Why I Don’t Shop at Hobby Lobby (And Maybe You Shouldn’t Either)

We all collectively mourned the loss of Joann. RIP to a real one.

And honestly? I want to love Hobby Lobby. They have a lot of fabric and fittings, many DMC colors, and tons of crafting supplies. I’ve been in one. I get the appeal.

But I go out of my way not to spend money there. And if you care about where your dollars go, it might be worth thinking twice, too.

Who Owns Hobby Lobby?

Hobby Lobby is a privately owned company run by the Green family. They are very openly Christian. And let me be clear—being a Christian is not an issue. We go to church. I'm not anti-religion. However, the company’s official messaging states that it operates according to “biblical principles.” That shows up not just in branding, but in business decisions, employee policies, and where profits are directed.

For some shoppers, that alignment feels comforting. For others, especially LGBTQ+ people who are often viewed as "sinful" in many sects of Christianity, it raises real concerns about what those “values” translate to in practice.

The Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc Supreme Court Case

In 2014, Hobby Lobby became the center of a major Supreme Court case: Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc..

The company argued that, under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, it should not be required to provide insurance coverage for certain forms of contraception that conflicted with its religious beliefs.

The Court ruled 5–4 in Hobby Lobby’s favor.

What that meant in practice:

• Employers could claim religious exemptions from parts of the Affordable Care Act

• Hobby Lobby specifically objected to covering certain contraceptives for their employees, including some IUDs and emergency contraception

This case set a precedent and opened the door for other closely held corporations to make similar claims. If you believe access to reproductive healthcare should be determined by individuals, not employers, this ruling is a big deal.

What The Money You Spend at Hobby Lobby Supports

This is the part where I drew the line on how I chose to spend my money. The Green family has donated millions of dollars to evangelical organizations, including groups that advocate for restrictions on abortion access, opposition to same-sex marriage, and policies that limit LGBTQ+ protections.

These donations are legal and intentional. When you shop at Hobby Lobby, you’re not just buying craft supplies but also contributing to a larger ecosystem of funding that may not align with your values. Even if you support LGBTQ+ folks, going to kit your Pride canvas with supplies from Hobby Lobby helps fund organizations working against LGBTQ+ rights.

Stolen Artifacts & Other Controversies

The Supreme Court case wasn't the only time Hobby Lobby was in the headlines. In 2017, Hobby Lobby agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice after it was found to have illegally imported thousands of ancient artifacts from Iraq.

The case involved over 5,500 artifacts, including clay tablets and seals, many of which were shipped with misleading labels like “tile samples” to avoid scrutiny. According to the DOJ, the company ignored multiple red flags during the purchasing process, including expert warnings that the items were likely looted and that their provenance (ownership history) was unclear.

The artifacts were intended for the Museum of the Bible, a museum funded by the Green family and closely tied to Hobby Lobby’s leadership. As part of the settlement, Hobby Lobby paid a $3 million fine and forfeited the artifacts, returning thousands of items to Iraq.

The government stated that Hobby Lobby had “repeatedly ignored” concerns raised by internal and external experts. This shows this wasn't just a one-off mistake, but pointed to a pattern of decision-making where speed, acquisition, or mission may have outweighed due diligence. It was an interesting choice for a company that publicly emphasizes strong moral and biblical principles.

Does This Mean You Can Never Shop There?

I’m not here to pretend ethical consumption is all-or-nothing. It's hard to "vote with your dollars" sometimes, and we live in a world with messy supply chains and complicated economic politics. But when you do have a choice, it's worth knowing what you're choosing to (or not to) support.

There are alternatives. Check out your local needlepoint shops, small businesses, online creators (hi 👋), and even other big-box stores that don’t carry the same political or religious baggage.

You don’t have to be perfect. But being informed matters. When you understand where your money goes, you get to decide what you’re supporting. And in a world where a lot feels out of our control, that’s one small, tangible way to show up for your values.

Shop accordingly.