Photo/Joselyn King Hobby Lobby employees and local officials were among those awaiting the grand opening of the store at The Highlands on Monday morning.

TRIADELPHIA — Hobby Lobby got a little crafty with its opening at The Highlands, and it paid off with a strong inaugural weekend.

The store held its official grand opening ceremony Monday morning but quietly welcomed customers with a soft opening Friday and Saturday. Manager Rick Moore said the strategy proved successful.

“We were quite surprised,” he said. “Social media boomed. We were busy on Friday on Saturday.”

The store already has out its fall and Christmas items, which proved popular with customers, according to Moore. A large number of furniture pieces also were sold.

“I was thrilled — we were busy from open to close,” he said.

Hobby Lobby stores are not open on Sundays.

The grand opening ceremony kicked off Monday with a prayer from Magdziarz Klover, a Hobby Lobby employee with the management industries department.

Among those present were Delegate Erikka Storch, R-Ohio, also president of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, and Ohio County Administrator Greg Stewart. As county administrator, Stewart oversees operations at The Highlands, which is owned by Ohio County.

“Hello, Rick, I’m your landlord,” he told Moore.

Customer Ashley Hadorn said she was anxious to get inside.

“I just like the store, and now I don’t have to travel to Pennsylvania,” she said.

Kersten Marquart said she lives close by, and was also glad she didn’t have to travel to Washington to visit a Hobby Lobby.

“I’m definitely excited,” she said. “I come for the home decor items.”

Moore said Hobby Lobby was glad to be located next to Cabela’s at The Highlands.

“We’re not just a craft store,” he said. “We also have home decor and furniture.”