Administration
Office 614-644-8901

April 1, 2020
Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.
c/o Peter Dobelbower
General Counsel
Via Email – PMDPMDobie@hobbylobby.com
Re:

Ohio Department of Health Non-Essential Business Operations Order
Of March 22, 2020

Dear Mr. Dobelbower,
It has come to the attention of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office that Hobby Lobby is
continuing to operate stores in Ohio during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Director of the Ohio
Department of Health issued an order (attached) on March 22, 2020 regarding business
operations in Ohio. In relevant part, the order states that non-essential business should not
operate. The Director provided additional guidance as to specific types of business that
meet the definition of “essential.”
It does not appear that Hobby Lobby meets the criteria outlined in the Director’s order. On
behalf of the Department of Health, you are ordered to immediately cease and desist
operations. If you do not immediately comply with the order, the Attorney General’s Office
may take all appropriate measures. If you believe that your business meets the terms of the
Director Acton’s order, please clarify the basis for your assertion within 24 hours. Note that
a violation of a director’s order during a pandemic may be punished criminally as seconddegree misdemeanor or enforced by civil injunction pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section
3701.352 and RC 3701.99(C).
Our country is facing unprecedented challenges now and we want to ensure that you are
aware of the obligations placed on you by the Director’s order. Please contact me by email
at jonathan.fulkerson@ohioattorneygeneral.gov with your reply as soon as possible.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Jonathan Fulkerson
Deputy Attorney General

Enc. Director’s Order, March 22, 2020

30 East Broad Street, 17th Floor   Columbus, Ohio   43215
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov