Hobby Lobby stores in Bangor and Waterville reopen after Governor deems it an essential business

Hobby Lobby stores in Bangor and Waterville are again open for business.

Governor Janet Mills determined the company's stores to be an essential business within the meaning of her Executive Order.

We spoke with staff at both stores who say they opened their doors at 9 Monday morning.

The Bangor store manager says he can't give any further details.

In a letter from the Governor, she lays out the standards by which Hobby Lobby can reopen.

It means only allowing a certain number of customers at a time like other stores across the state.

We spoke to Bangor City Councilor Ben Sprague about the response the city is getting to this news on Monday.

"It certainly does have people scratching their heads a little bit to say, if Hobby Lobby can open, why can't some of these other local businesses open as well. I think people are really just looking for clarity on that and guidance and a timeline from the governor and other state officials at this point," Councilor Ben Sprague said.

"I can't comment on a specific business. The Department of Economic and Community Development has been really busy the last five weeks taking in inquiries from thousands of entities and people who engage in different activities and trying to make the best determination they can based on the information they have," Governor Janet Mills said.

The national chain initially resisted closing locations across the country.

At the beginning of the month they made the decision to shut down but according to their website have started reopening locations where they are allowed.