NASHUA – Seeking to benefit from the largely recession-proof business of selling arts and crafts supply, the Nashua Michaels store will reopen later this month in Daniel Webster Plaza after operating out of temporary housing while the store was refurbished.

Michaels opened its first Nashua store in 1991 in the same Webster Square shopping center, but in the space now occupied by Guitar Center. It moved to the current location in 2001.

In January of this year, it shifted to its temporary locations while renovations took place.

The new store will be approximately 24,790 square feet and will employ more than 60 people, according to Michael’s District Manager David Hussey.

Michaels, with more than 1,145 stores in the U.S. and Canada, is the largest retailer in a crowded field, with competitors that include AC Moore, Jo-Ann Stores, Hobby Lobby and Ben Franklin Stores. The retail arts and crafts market in the United States is estimated to be between $25 billion and $30 billion a year, and remained solid all through the Great Recession.

In June, Michaels went public with an IPO that raised about $473 million, giving the company a valuation of $3.4 billion. Its stock has stayed around the initial price of $17 per share.

Michaels business remains focused on traditional crafts products and classes on topics like scrapbooking, but it is reportedly considering selling 3-D printers: Several websites report that a recent Michaels money-off coupon contained a list of products for which it was not valid, including “Cube 3D printer & accessories.”

These printers create solid objects using melted plastic, based on computer files, and have become popular with hobbyists.

The U.S. Craft & Hobby Association claims that at least one project a year is crafted in about 56 percent of American households, with woodworking, drawing and “food crafting,” such as cake decorating, also being popular.

Michaels is in the Webster Square Shoping Center, 268A Daniel Webster Highway in south Nashua. While it is being refurbished, the store has operated out of a temporary nearby location at 266 Daniel Webster Highway.

The store will officially reopen at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

Michaels says it will give away more than $1,000 in gift cards and prizes hourly throughout the day.

David Brooks can be reached at 594-6531 or dbrooks@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow Brooks on Twitter (@GraniteGeek).