Hobby Lobby Set to Open in Jacksonville, Boosting Downtown Retail

Hobby Lobby confirmed plans this week for a late December opening in Jacksonville, occupying approximately 49,000 square feet of the former Shopko building at 1964 W. Morton Avenue. The store, identified as Store 1030, is scheduled for a soft launch on December 26, 2025, with the formal opening set for December 29, 2025. The site is part of a larger redevelopment project managed by Marx Commercial Development Company.

The new Hobby Lobby location joins Marshalls, which opened earlier in 2025 in the same building, signaling progress in a multitenant reuse of a large vacant retail site. With Hobby Lobby taking its portion of the floor space, available vacant square footage in the building is expected to decline to roughly 35,000 square feet. That reduction in vacancy will alter the downtown retail landscape by consolidating national chain presence in a single redeveloped property.

For local residents, the arrival of Hobby Lobby carries several practical implications. The store will expand shopping choices for arts and crafts supplies, home decor and seasonal items without requiring a trip to larger regional centers. For downtown businesses and property owners, lower vacancy can mean increased foot traffic and a stronger case for complementary retail or service tenants to consider the area. For municipal finance, bringing another large chain into an existing commercial property can generate additional sales tax revenue and property tax stability over time.

The redevelopment by Marx Commercial Development Company reflects a broader trend in repurposing former big box footprints into multiple tenant configurations. Transforming the former Shopko space into at least two national retailers demonstrates how adaptive reuse can convert long idle square footage into active retail offerings. The remaining roughly 35,000 square feet presents an opportunity for smaller chains, local businesses or service providers to locate downtown and contribute to a more diverse retail mix.

Market implications include a potential boost in consumer visits to the W. Morton Avenue corridor, especially around the holiday season and into 2026. Retail analysts often note that the presence of national anchors can act as a draw that benefits neighboring stores, though the exact magnitude depends on tenant mix and local demand. For Morgan County stakeholders tracking economic recovery and downtown revitalization, the Hobby Lobby opening will be an observable milestone in late 2025.

The announcement was reported on November 4, 2025. As redevelopment continues, community leaders and prospective tenants will be watching how the remaining space is filled and how increased activity influences downtown traffic patterns and commercial property values.