EAST WENATCHEE — The crane and boom lift in front of the soon-to-open Hobby Lobby store Thursday weren’t hoisting sequins or glue sticks, although the mega-craft store is certain to be chock-full of those items.

They were lifting sign letters: H-O-B-B ... Well, you get the picture.

The heavy machinery is a definite sign that Hobby Lobby crews are fully engaged in remodeling the former Top Foods grocery for a soft opening March 1 and a more formal opening March 4, according to company officials.

It also means that Hobby Lobby, located at 10 Grant Road, is looking for employees to staff its 53,000 square feet of everything crafty. Company reps say a new store typically hires about 50 to 60 employees for various positions, including cashiers, stockers, picture framers, floral designers, department heads and managers. Pay for full-time employees starts at $13 an hour and $9 for part-time workers.

Ads for Hobby Lobby jobby-seekers start Sunday in the Wenatchee World’s classified section. A job fair for most positions will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (Feb. 11-15) at the Cedars Inn, 80 Ninth St. N.E., East Wenatchee.

The company’s website is also a good place for info on how to apply. Visit hobbylobby.com/careers to get details.

Mike Irwin: 665-1179

irwin@wenatcheeworld.com