Why is hobby lobby going out of business

On July 7, , Hobby Lobby issued another announcement saying that all of its stores have been reopened under normal business hours. The retailer has made no secret about its support for Trump, catching viral attention for its pro-Trump displays in-store.

The controversial move has many calling for people to boycott the store, and just made Hobby Lobby a trending topic of high debate. In a Hobby Lobby pic. Your Local T. Distractify is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.

The announcement comes following controversy for Hobby Lobby after the craft-store chain refused to close its stores and join the nearly major retailers that have temporarily shuttered to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. While each state has autonomy in defining the parameters around what is considered an essential business, craft stores are not included in the list of universally accepted essential businesses , nor do they appear in a guidance on the subject provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

In its statement on Friday, Hobby Lobby said it was essential and that it had "implemented several best practices to provide a safer shopping environment" for shoppers. These methods included "the installation of physical barriers between customers and cashiers, enhanced cleaning, and the enforcement of social distancing measures" — tactics which employees told Business Insider this week were either not enforced or not sufficient in making them feel safe.

In a series of leaked memos obtained by Business Insider , Hobby Lobby initially refused to give employees paid sick leave and instead required ill workers to use up their paid-time-off and vacation days before it implemented an "emergency pay" program.

Additionally, company executives told managers they would "make every effort to continue working the employees" and later provide them with talking points for "how to respond and communicate if they are visited by a local authority that asks why we are open," according to a memo obtained by Business Insider.

In leaked letter, Hobby Lobby prepares to lay off employees and slash salaries to cut costs in states with mandated store closures due to the coronavirus. In a leaked memo, Hobby Lobby refuses to give workers paid sick leave during the coronavirus pandemic. Hobby Lobby founder reportedly told employees a message from God informed his decision to leave stores open amid the coronavirus outbreak. For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.

Get the Insider App. On Wednesday, stores in Colorado were still open despite being deemed a nonessential business and ordered to close. In the company's statement announcing it would close, it appeared to defend its previous decision to remain open. The company also detailed the measures it took to provide a safer shopping environment, including installing physical barriers between customers and cashiers.

While the stores are closed, the company is ending its emergency leave pay and paid time off benefits. Employees will still have medical, dental, life, and long-term disability benefits for employees while furloughed through at least May 1, , according to Hobby Lobby's statement.