Business & Tech
Hobby Lobby Considers Adding Jewish Holiday Decor; Investigates Alleged Offensive Comments
A New Jersey customer's inquiry about why the craft store chain does not carry Jewish holiday decorations has spurred an internal investigation; meantime the Oklahoma-based company is looking into adding that type of merchandise.
By Kaitlyn Anness
A New Jersey man's blog post has sparked an internal investigation within Hobby Lobby, which operates a store in Temecula on Ynez Road.
The post, written by Ken Berwitz, author of the political book Hopelessly Partisan, pointed to a conversation in which a Hobby Lobby employee was allegedly asked why the craft store doesn't carry Jewish holiday decorations. The employee allegedly answered, "We don't cater to you people."
When Berwitz looked into the issue himself, he claims the answer from Hobby Lobby's Marlboro Township, NJ store, "Because Mr. [David] Green is the owner of the company, he's a Christian, and those are his values."
Hobby Lobby representative Vincent Parker initially answered Patch with a brief statement, saying the store is working with buyers and looking into including Jewish holiday decorations.
In an email to Marlboro Township Mayor Jon Hornik, Parker said the company is, in fact, investigating the alleged comments.
A New Jersey man's blog post has sparked an internal investigation within Hobby Lobby, which operates a store in Temecula on Ynez Road.
The post, written by Ken Berwitz, author of the political book Hopelessly Partisan, pointed to a conversation in which a Hobby Lobby employee was allegedly asked why the craft store doesn't carry Jewish holiday decorations. The employee allegedly answered, "We don't cater to you people."
When Berwitz looked into the issue himself, he claims the answer from Hobby Lobby's Marlboro Township, NJ store, "Because Mr. [David] Green is the owner of the company, he's a Christian, and those are his values."
Hobby Lobby representative Vincent Parker initially answered Patch with a brief statement, saying the store is working with buyers and looking into including Jewish holiday decorations.
In an email to Marlboro Township Mayor Jon Hornik, Parker said the company is, in fact, investigating the alleged comments.
"Alleged comments made by employees are currently being investigated and will be addressed accordingly. These comments are in no way indicative of Hobby Lobby culture, the owners and the operators," Parker said.
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