Hobby Lobby stores nationwide will be raising the hourly minimum wage for all of its full-time employees to $17 effective October 1, 2020.

Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. announced the wage increase Monday in a press release.

Because this year has presented so many challenges to our employees, we are very happy that we are able to provide pay increases to thousands of our associates before the Christmas season.

Hobby Lobby's announcement comes one week after a photo of decorative letters taken in one of its stores went viral. The letters were arranged to read, "USA Vote Trump".

The retailer's founder and CEO, David Green, said the arts and crafts giant has always taken care of their employees providing them with some of the best pay and benefits in the workplace today. Hobby Lobby has also shown its appreciation to employees by closing on Sundays and at 8 pm the rest of the week.

Hobby Lobby Store, Inc. has raised its minimum wage 10 times in the last 11 years. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

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