Addressing a recent incident in Marlboro Township, wherein a Hobby Lobby employee allegedly told a Jewish customer that “We don’t cater to you people,” Hobby Lobby President Steve Green released a statement, “We sincerely apologize for any employee comments that may have offended anyone, especially our Jewish customers and friends. Comments like these do not reflect the feelings of our family or Hobby Lobby,” Green said. “Our family has a deep respect for the Jewish faith and those who hold its traditions dear. We’re proud contributors to Yad Vashem, as well as to other museums and synagogues in Israel and the United States. We are investigating this matter and absolutely do not tolerate discrimination at our company or our stores. We do not have any policies that discriminate; in fact, we have policies that specifically prohibit discrimination.”

Hobby Lobby recently opened in Marlboro on Route 9 North in Marlboro Plaza. The store is an arts and crafts chain out of Oklahoma City with 13,000 employees and 525 big-box stores in the United States. It is the third location to open in New Jersey. The other stores are in South Plainfield, Millville and Lawrenceville.

The company also runs Mardel, a large chain of Christian bookstores. Holly Lobby declares its mission to be, “Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with biblical principles.”