By DAVE HAMRICK
Staff Writer

Fayetteville officials are hoping the lights will soon be back on in the long-vacant Wal-Mart building on North Glynn Street.

Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby is negotiating a lease of 57,714 square feet of the 87,000-sq. ft. vacant building, and the firm's Fayetteville store may be its first in Georgia, said Bill Hane, vice president for advertising.

The store sells a variety of crafts, home improvement items and recreational supplies.

Founder Bill Green started the company in 1972, operating a small picture frame business from his home in Oklahoma City, said Hane. From that beginning, the privately owned firm has blossomed into 210 stores in 22 states, anticipating sales of $820 million in 1999.

“We hope to top a billion dollars in 2000,” said Hane.

A lease has not yet been signed, so Hane could not confirm for sure that the Fayetteville store will become a reality or whether it will be the first Georgia location for the company. If all goes according to plan, he said, the Fayette store will be one of six to eight the company will open in the Atlanta area, with the first ones opening early in 2000.

While many craft and hobby stores occupy 25,000 to 30,000 square feet and handle around 30,000 items, Hobby Lobby stores typically are around 50,000 to 60,000 square feet and offer around 50,000 items, said Hane.

“We offer traditional arts and crafts and art supplies like paint brushes,” he said, “but we also have home decor and home accent pieces, items like candles, lamps, ceramics and pottery... even some fashions and clothing items.”

Judging by mail the company receives from customers in its new locations, Hane said, shoppers are impressed with the stores' selection and cleanliness. “People can't get over how neat and well-organized these stores are,” he said.

That's music to the ears of Fayetteville officials, who have expressed concern in recent months that the old Wal-Mart building has become somewhat run down since Wal-Mart moved out to its new, larger location at Fayette Pavilion two years ago.

During discussions of the company's request for a sign variance last week, Councilman Kenneth Steele suggested the company might want to refurbish the exterior of the old building to match the rest of the mostly vacant shopping center next to it.

“It certainly would be an addition to the community if they matched up the rest of the stores,” he said.

Dick Brady of MOR Sign Graphics said he would convey that request to Hobby Lobby officials.