If you’ve ever driven down American Boulevard near the 494 corridor, you know exactly where the Hobby Lobby Bloomington MN location sits. It’s right in that sweet spot of suburban retail chaos. It’s tucked into the Bloomington Plaza. Honestly, it's one of those stores that feels like a maze of possibilities and a black hole for your Saturday afternoon simultaneously.
People come here for different reasons. Some are looking for that specific shade of teal yarn. Others just want to browse the home decor aisles until they forget they have a sink full of dishes at home. It’s a massive space. Walking through the front doors, you’re hit with that specific scent—a mix of cinnamon potpourri, fresh plastic, and the faint hope of finally finishing that Pinterest project you started in 2022.
Finding the Hobby Lobby Bloomington MN Location
Navigation is everything. The store is located at 2601 West 78th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431.
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Getting there is usually straightforward, unless you hit that 4:00 PM rush on 494. Then, you're stuck. If you’re coming from Minneapolis, you’re basically heading south until you hit the Penn Avenue area. It’s right near other heavy hitters like Best Buy and various fast-food joints.
The parking lot? It’s huge. But somehow, it always feels a bit cramped near the entrance. Pro tip: park further out. It saves you the headache of navigating the minivan traffic jam near the cart return.
The Weird Rhythm of Sales and Coupons
Look, nobody should ever pay full price at Hobby Lobby. It’s basically a rule of the universe. For years, everyone relied on that 40% off one item coupon. You know the one. You’d pull it up on your phone at the register while the person behind you sighed audibly.
They got rid of that coupon a while back.
It caused a bit of a stir on the internet. People were genuinely upset. But here’s the thing: they shifted their strategy to deeper, rotating sales. One week, all frames are 50% off. The next, it’s jewelry making or fabric. If you walk into the Hobby Lobby Bloomington MN store and the thing you want isn't on sale, just wait seven days. It probably will be.
Understanding the Department Layout
This store is organized by vibes, mostly.
- The Seasonal Gauntlet: As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by whatever holiday is three months away. In July? It’s Christmas. In October? Probably Spring florals. It’s aggressive but effective for planners.
- Home Decor and Wall Art: This takes up a massive chunk of the floor plan. It ranges from farmhouse chic to "live, laugh, love" signage.
- The Back Corners: This is where the real crafters hide. You’ve got the model airplanes, the scrapbooking supplies, and the massive fabric department where the cutting counter always has a line.
The fabric section at this specific Bloomington location is actually quite decent. They carry a lot of apparel fabrics that you won't always find at smaller craft boutiques. The staff at the cutting counter are usually pretty fast, but if there's a 30% off fleece sale, God help you. You'll be waiting.
Why This Location Matters to Twin Cities Crafters
There are other Hobby Lobbies in the metro. You’ve got Burnsville, Woodbury, Roseville. So why go to the one in Bloomington?
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Centrality.
It’s the middle ground. If you’re meeting a friend from Shakopee and you live in Richfield, this is where you go. Plus, the proximity to the Mall of America means you can do your "serious" shopping here and then go play tourist five minutes away.
But there's also the size. Some of the older locations feel a bit cramped or dimly lit. The Bloomington spot feels airy. The ceilings are high. The aisles are wide enough that you don't have to do that awkward "excuse me" dance every time someone stops to look at a glass vase.
The Controversy Factor (Let's Be Real)
You can't talk about Hobby Lobby without mentioning the politics. It’s the elephant in the room. The Green family, who owns the chain, is famously vocal about their Christian beliefs. This leads to some unique store quirks.
- Closed on Sundays: Every single Hobby Lobby is closed on Sunday. If you realize you ran out of hot glue on Saturday night at 9:01 PM, you’re out of luck until Monday morning.
- The Music: Expect instrumental hymns or soft contemporary Christian tracks.
- No Barcodes: For a long time, they famously didn't use barcodes because of... well, various reasons including a preference for manual entry. They finally moved toward more modern systems, but the checkout process can still feel a bit "old school" compared to a Target self-checkout.
For some, these are reasons to shop there. For others, they are reasons to boycott. Most people in Bloomington just seem to want their $4.99 acrylic paint, though.
What You’ll Actually Find Inside
It’s not just glitter and glue.
The art supply section is surprisingly robust. They carry professional-grade brands like Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher alongside their house brands like Master’s Touch. If you’re a painter, you can get high-quality canvases here for a fraction of what a boutique art store would charge, especially during the 50% off canvas sales.
Then there’s the furniture. People forget they sell actual furniture. Benches, end tables, cabinets. It’s mostly accent pieces, but they’re solid enough for a guest room or a home office.
The Custom Framing Department
This is the hidden gem of the Hobby Lobby Bloomington MN store.
Custom framing is expensive. Everywhere. But Hobby Lobby constantly runs specials on their custom frames. The staff in the Bloomington framing department are usually long-tenured. They know their stuff. They can walk you through matting options and glass types—like museum glass vs. standard—without making you feel like an idiot for not knowing the difference.
The Logistics: Hours and Contact
If you're planning a trip, keep these basics in mind:
- Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Sunday: Closed. (Seriously, don't forget).
- Phone: (952) 881-1181.
It's worth calling ahead if you're looking for something super specific, like a particular Cricut accessory or a bulk order of floral foam. They can check stock, though their inventory system isn't always 100% accurate down to the minute.
Is It Better Than Michaels or Joann?
That’s the million-dollar question for Twin Cities makers.
Michaels (there’s one not too far away in Richfield) is great for technology—think Cricut, Glowforge, and organization. They have a better rewards program, honestly. Joann is the king of fabric, obviously.
But Hobby Lobby wins on the "random stuff you didn't know you needed" front. Their home decor selection blows the others out of the water. If you're trying to stage a house or redecorate a bedroom on a budget, Hobby Lobby is the clear winner. If you need 50 different types of zippers, go to Joann.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Don't just wing it.
First, check the weekly ad online before you leave the house. It's on their website and their app. Since the 40% coupon is gone, the weekly ad is your Bible.
Second, if you see something you love in the seasonal section, buy it. Things move fast. The Halloween decor is usually picked over by late September, and the Christmas clearance (which hits 66% and then 90% off) is a literal contact sport.
Third, wear comfortable shoes. The floor is hard concrete, and you will end up walking more than you think. This store is deceptively large.
Lastly, check your items before you leave the aisle. Glassware and ceramics can sometimes have chips, and because the store is so big, walking all the way back from the registers to swap a vase is a pain.
Making the Most of the Experience
The Hobby Lobby Bloomington MN store is a staple for a reason. It’s reliable. It’s huge. It’s predictably unpredictable. Whether you’re a professional crafter or someone who just needs a frame for a graduation photo, it serves a purpose.
Go on a Tuesday morning if you can. It’s quiet. The aisles are clear. You can actually hear yourself think over the instrumental music. Saturday afternoons are for the brave and the patient.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Sale Cycle: Visit the Hobby Lobby website or app to see if the department you need (e.g., Furniture, Yarn, Framing) is currently on the 50% off rotation.
- Measure Your Space: If you're going for wall art or furniture, measure your walls before you leave. The scale of items in that giant store is deceiving; what looks "medium" in the aisle will look "monstrous" in your living room.
- Plan for Saturday or Monday: Since they are closed Sundays, Monday mornings are often busy with restocked shelves and Sunday's "overflow" shoppers. Aim for mid-week for the best experience.
- Compare Nearby Options: If you don't find what you need, remember you're only a few miles from the Richfield Michaels or the Southdale area Joann.
Regardless of your project, this location remains a central hub for the south metro. Just remember to check the clock—and the calendar—before you head out.