Hobby Lobby reopens in Peru, deeming itself an essential business

Tuesday morning, Kiersten and Daniel Tieman of Peru were one of at least 49 vehicles to stop by midday at Hobby Lobby in Peru.

They were there to gather supplies, because they wanted to get craft materials for their children.

And Kiersten is a crafter, and he and her mother would like to start a business.

Peru Mayor Scott Harl said Hobby Lobby’s corporate office deemed them an essential store because they sell supplies that can make/manufacture face masks and coverings and because the store sells learning materials for e-learning and school children.

He said he thought Peru’s store reopened Monday.

“They’ve determined that,” he said. “We didn’t tell them to open or not to open.”

The following Hobby Lobby stores are “temporarily closed” in Illinois: Pekin, Peoria, Normal, Forsyth, Springfield, Champaign, Moline and Bradley, according to the company’s website. A store in Davenport, Iowa, is open.

Harl said all the emails he’s received about the store reopening have been positive. Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei said Tuesday afternoon that police have not responded to the business.

Mona Spanos of Spring Valley also came to shop on Tuesday.

She wasn’t going to browse – she knew exactly what she wanted and planned to leave after purchasing. She planned to work on a piece of jewelry she had.

She said she was happy Hobby Lobby was opening, because people can work on crafts to help anxiety or depression. She said crafts also can serve as a supplement for income for the unique work people create.

Peru’s Hobby Lobby store deferred comment to its public relations office. A comment was not returned as of Tuesday afternoon.

The La Salle County Health Department said it has received some phone calls from concerned citizens regarding Hobby Lobby.

“The health department does not make the decision if a business is deemed essential or nonessential,” an official said. “Those determinations are made by the Illinois Department of Commerce. All essential businesses must follow the state guidelines that have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”