Hobby Lobby agrees to close Ohio stores after cease-and-desist letter

Posted: Apr 1, 2020 / 08:20 PM EDT

Updated: Apr 1, 2020 / 09:47 PM EDT

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW)– Hobby Lobby will close its stores in Ohio Wednesday night after a cease-and-desist letter from Ohio Attorney General David Yost.

The arts and crafts retailer closed locations during Ohio’s stay-at-home order to stop the spread of coronavirus, then reopened them on Wednesday amid criticism.

“Now they’re open again — what’s changed? Neither the order, nor the seriousness of the health threat, for sure,” Yost posted on Twitter.

Hobby Lobby properly closed its stores during Ohio’s stay-home order.

Now they’re open again — what’s changed? Neither the order, nor the seriousness of the health threat, for sure.

I sent a cease & desist letter to their general counsel. https://t.co/HVqDhFfhqo
— Dave Yost (@Yost4Ohio) April 1, 2020

The attorney general sent a letter to the company’s general counselor. He said he received a phone call within an hour from a representative, who said Hobby Lobby would close in compliance.