Image provided by Hobby Lobby A Hobby Lobby storefront is shown in this image provided by the company. Hobby Lobby is expected to open in July in Vienna.

VIENNA — One of the most visible vacant properties in Wood County is expected to be occupied by summer with Hobby Lobby moving into the former Kmart in Vienna.

“At this time, we can confirm that a lease has been signed in Vienna (former Kmart on Grand Central Avenue) with an estimated opening in July 2019,” an email from a company representative said.

A new occupant for the building — vacant since Kmart closed in January — is welcome news to Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp.

“We’re very excited,” he said. “We think it’s going to be a great addition to our town.”

Rapp said the location is a prime space with great parking.

Photo by Evan Bevins A Hobby Lobby arts-and-crafts store is expected to open in July in the former Kmart location on Grand Central Avenue in Vienna.

“We think it’s going to bring a lot of products and services that people are going to be excited about,” he said.

According to the company’s website, Hobby Lobby is the largest privately owned arts-and-crafts retailer in the world, employing approximately 32,000 people in 47 states. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the store offers a variety of arts-and-crafts products, picture framing, jewelry-making, fabrics, floral and wedding supplies, cards and party ware, baskets, wearable art, home accents and holiday merchandise.

The company lists its core values as honoring God by operating in a manner consistent with Biblical principles, offering exceptional selection and value, creating a work environment and company policies that serve employees and their families and investing in the community.

It’s those values that led the company to decide to close its stores on Sundays, giving “associates time for family and for worship,” and provide store employees with raises “well above the national minimum wage.”

The closest Hobby Lobby location to the area now is in Zanesville. Other Ohio stores within an hour or so are in Lancaster and Heath, while the nearest West Virginia location is in Barboursville.

The Vienna Kmart closed less than a year after the south Parkersburg location, leaving the Mid-Ohio Valley’s only remaining Kmart in Marietta. Kmart is owned by the Sears Holdings Corp., which recently closed the Sears at the Grand Central Mall and filed for bankruptcy in October.