Construction has begun at the former Best Buy space in Gaithersburg that will soon become Montgomery County’s first Hobby Lobby.
The large-format arts and crafts retailer is taking over 15750 Shady Grove Road, and multiple workers on site confirmed to The MoCoShow that the space is being converted into a Hobby Lobby store. Those working on the project said the store is expected to open sometime in the second half of 2026, though an exact date has not yet been announced.
The project marks Hobby Lobby’s first location in Montgomery County and follows reports earlier this fall that the company had begun hiring locally. In October, Hobby Lobby posted job openings for a retail co-manager at the Shady Grove Road address, signaling plans to move forward despite limited visible activity at the time. While there had been little movement at the property in recent weeks, that has now changed with construction officially underway.
As previously reported, neither Hobby Lobby nor the property’s leasing company has made a formal public announcement regarding the store. The MoCoShow reached out following the initial report but did not receive a response. Confirmation has instead come through job postings and now from workers actively involved in the buildout.
The upcoming store has generated a mix of reactions within the community, with some controversy surrounding the retailer’s expansion into Montgomery County. While opinions vary, the company’s arrival has been a topic of discussion since plans first surfaced earlier this year.
Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. was founded in 1972 by David and Barbara Green in Oklahoma City and has grown into one of the largest privately owned arts and crafts retailers in the country, operating more than 1,000 locations nationwide. The chain offers a wide range of products including art supplies, home décor, fabrics, floral and seasonal items, furniture, and framing services. Hobby Lobby is also known for closing on Sundays and emphasizing “family and faith based values” in its operations.
