Hobby Lobby is now open at the busy intersection of Harrison Bridge and Fairview Road in Simpsonville. The 55,000 square foot retail space has over 70,000 crafts and home trinkets for neighborhood craft lovers. While artsy residents welcome the convenient location, traffic concerns rise due to area development. With an already crowded intersection, the city is taking steps to reduce hectic traffic headaches.
A grand opening and ribbon cutting was held on July 17th to celebrate the new Hobby Lobby location. There are 750 stores nationwide and the Simpsonville store will be the 16th in South Carolina. As the largest privately held arts and crafts seller, shoppers can wander the aisles with creative imagination and new project ideas. From fabric to scrap booking, there’s something for everyone. They also carry floral arrangements, needle art, custom framing, baskets, home accents, arts and crafts, jewelry kits, and paper craft supplies. The Director of Advertising, Kelly Black reveals what store-goers can expect, “Our goal is for customers to experience the exceptional service, selection, and value Hobby Lobby offers.”
Area development is great for growth, but the most important thing is to keep citizens’ safe. To keep up with area congestion, SCDOT will take action and help traffic move smoother. Assistant District Traffic Engineer, Craig Nelson shares a surprising fact, “Our latest traffic count shows that an estimated 30,000 vehicles travel through the intersection daily on average.” Nelson mentioned medians would be installed to prevent left hand turns to and from one of the driveways on Harrison Bridge Road. He also ensured further precautions would be made in the future, “The developer will also set aside additional right of way along the property frontage for future improvements along Harrison Bridge.”
The new store will bring more cars to the area. However, an increase in traffic doesn’t have to mean more accidents. Use caution when navigating newly developed areas and roads. Watch for signs, look both ways, and take time for turns to avoid collision. These small steps can help keep crafters crafting and traffic flowing.
PUBLIX Grocery Store
The 50,000 ft.² Publix grocery store is slated to open sometime in mid-October. No official date has been announced but construction is continuing and the store is slated to be stocked and ready for customers sometime in the next quarter. According to Publix officials, the Fairview road store will close one evening and the new store will open the next morning with completely new stock. Products that remain at the Fairview road store will be transferred to other stores throughout the Southeast. The location at Fairview Road will be vacated.
Leasing agents have not released information as to who might occupy the former Publix location but there has been speculation that a new grocery store could occupy the space.
Also adjacent to the new Publix building is a construction project that is rumored to be a restaurant. Unnamed at this time though construction is continuing and expected to be completed by years end.♦
