By JOE SERSEY

Journal Correspondent

The Hobby Lobby on Watson plans what store manager Joe Ganas calls a soft opening.

Warner Robins’ new hobby store will be open today and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. to get a jump on Monday’s Grand Opening.

However: “We may close a little early, based on business,” Ganas said of the pre-Grand Opening event.

Hobby Lobby employs 40 to 50 full- and part-time employees Ganas said of the new facility.

“We’re unique because we have a little bit to offer for every one,” he said. “If you walk around, you’ll see different (activities) under one roof.”

And that roof is a large one, large enough to hold everything from porcelain ceramics to model cars.

“We have better quality, and choice,” Ganas said.

Even the Christmas hobbyists can get a head start.

“We have to put the Christmas crafts out early so that people can get their crafts ready for your shows,” he explained.

When customers enter the store, they can find seasonal crafts on their immediate left that includes the Christmas section, which holds more than 48 varieties of Christmas trees.

The porcelain ceramic figures change with the seasons starting with the fall and Halloween.

“Scrapbooking is big everywhere,” said Jeanne Marchbanks. “It’s putting memories on paper.”

Hobby Lobby has an extensive display of scrap booking merchandise that includes stamps, paper, and other necessary supplies.

Service is the watchword for Hobby Lobby.

“Our employees go through a training process,” Ganas said to explain how customers can be assured of getting qualified help.

“We (focus) on customer service. We want employees who can think on their feet and are able to follow store policy and adapt to changing policy.

Kate Waters, needlework department head, is an example of that philosophy. She learned to crochet from her grandmother and added knitting to her skills.

“We have a wider variety of yarns than any place in town,” she said with pride. “What I need is someone to sit beside me and tell me how to tear it my mistakes when I’m tatting.”

The Needlework Department features supplies for crocheting, knitting, tatting, and cross stitching.

“Teenagers and young women are getting into knitting and crocheting,” Waters said.

Next to needlework is what Ganas called, “the most fantastic fabric shop in Middle Georgia.

“We have ladies who can answer any fabric questions.”

Hobby Lobby offers a wedding rentals department. The store can proved several types of arches, extensions, candelabras, and columns, as well as other wedding necessities from their flower section.

Other departments in the store include a full-service framing shop, art supplies, and model airplanes, ships and cars.

Hobby Lobby is owned by David Green from Oklahoma and is a Christian-based business.

“We close on Sundays so that associates can spend time with their families,” Ganas said. “You can tell we’re Christian-based by listening to the music.”

The store is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.