Hobby Lobby eyes new store in Ankeny

Popular craft chain Hobby Lobby has plans to open a store in Ankeny.

Driving the news: Denny Elwell Family LLC and Copeland Development have proposed developing a 55,000-square-foot retail space at 5705 SE Delaware Avenue, just south of Sam's Club.

• Hobby Lobby is the planned tenant for the space, according to city documents.
• A 200-space parking lot is also planned for the site.

Between the lines: The company’s owners, who have said they operate with Christian-based principles, have been in the news over the years.

• Hobby Lobby successfully argued to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2014 that its medical plans for employees should not have to provide certain contraceptives under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
• The company then returned thousands of ancient artifacts to Iraq in 2018 after illegally smuggling them under the guise of "tile samples."

What's next: The city's Plan and Zoning Commission is meeting today to consider approval, which would move the proposal to the Ankeny City Council.

Of note: An opening date is still unknown, but there are four existing metro stores. Hobby Lobby did not respond to our request for comment.