topic Re: Hallmark stores closing in Community Chat

Hallmark stores closing

151949 — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:33:02 GMT

Both the Hallmark stores in my small town have closed. I think people now buy cards & wrapping at the dollar stores because they had gotten so expensive at Hallmark. I wonder if those stores are corporate owned or if Hallmark stores are a franchise. I will miss that one of our local stores carried Vera Bradley bags. I would go there each season to check out the new patterns.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:38:29 GMT

We had 2 Hallmark stores in my area that closed at least 10 years ago, if not more.

I was in one after the holidays and bought a couple of decor items that were 50% off. Most of what I saw I thought was really overpriced, even with 50% off. It's not a store I ever go into because I just grab cards from either the grocery store or a drugstore. All my paper and/or gift bags are from Dollar Tree.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

Mj12 — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:45:22 GMT

I have not been in a Hallmark store in over 15 years.

I think some people buy cards, wrapping papers etc online, I know I do, from Papyrus and Etsy. I love to give beautiful and interesting cards for some people. For others, yes I pick up at the grocery or Target. I still send out the same # of cards throughout the year.

ETA - I once bought a greeting card/birthday card box the Q sold once - it was awful. I was leftover with a lot of juvenile cards I would never send out.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

Solar Is My Name — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:41:45 GMT

End of an era. Less greeting cards are sent in general. Texting, social media, email, instant messaging seem to have crowded out cards. Found memories of REAL cards received.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

StylishLady — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:45:40 GMT

The one nearest me is doing well. A while ago with obviously dwindling stock, I thought it was going to close. Recently it is well stocked with current Easter things and no empty spaces for greeting cards. Could be a regional issue.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

Winkk — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:46:45 GMT

I used to love walking around a Hallmark store. But, now that their cards have gotten so expensive I rarely go in. I am not spending $5 or $6 for a card. Their card section has gotten smaller and now they are selling other "stuff".

I get pretty nice cards at the dollar store.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

jpie — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:48:33 GMT

I went into a Hallmark store two days ago. I ended up spending almost $10.00 on two cards!

First of all the prices were too expensive. One card was a birthday card for my brother and the other was a "thinking of you" card. I could not find a decent card for the latter and ended up buying a blank card for $3.99. Then, I had to add extra postage to it (so two stamps) because it was a square shape.

I really think that Walgreens and Wal-Mart have a better selection and lower prices.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

gidgetgh — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:50:38 GMT

While we’ve had some Hallmark stores in my area close, we still have several. There are 3 that I go to on a regular basis. One is a company store and two are franchise stores.

We have 2 others that are a further drive, but if I’m in that area and I need something, I’ll stop in.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

OKPrincess — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:53:17 GMT

I used to collect their ornaments but thankful stopped about 10 years ago. I have bought Jim Shore figurines and purchased our Vera Bradley iPad covers from Hallmark. Sad but a sign of the times.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

Lucky Charm — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:14:44 GMT

Hallmark's are franchized. We looked into buying one about 30 years ago.

My usual grocery store carries Hallmark cards and I was in there yesterday to buy 2 more Easter cards.

None of the cards had any religious reference to them.

They were either bunnies, chickies or pictures of flowers. No images of Christ, the Cross or biblical scripts.

I noticed that too, with their Christmas card selection. I wonder if it's just that way they stock [my] grocery store?

Re: Hallmark stores closing

saltysails — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:19:26 GMT

My Hallmark store is right next to a Home Depot, which I think is a great idea. If DH wants to go to Home Depot and I am not interested, I could just walk over to the Hallmark store. That said, I don't know how the one nearest to me stays in business, as it is never busy at least not when I am there.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

homedecor1 — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:21:29 GMT

Sadly, another store that priced themselves out of the consumer market IMO!

Every year I bought recordable books for Christmas for my GD. It was such a "joy" for her to enjoy reading & hearing our voices. This year I went to buy $35 was ridiculous -- and only way you could get discount was to be a "gold" hallmark member ($5 off).

And ornaments & cards are priced so high I stopped buying Hallmark. I now take advantage of the BOGO sales. at Publix during holidays. I stocked up last year for Christmas. In fact, just today I went into Publix -- big Hallmark display used to be as soon as you walked in (3-4 aisles) now it's in candy aisle with reduced space maybe 3-6 ft. I asked store manager -- Hallmark being phased out...

Honestly, I think I'm the only one in my family who sends cards anymore (even my Christmas card list is down to about 4-5 special "older" friends who appreciate mail).

No one looks for cards in the mail anymore since "social media" took over -- heck if I my home phone wasn't included in my cable package that would be gone too!

And dollar tree (2/$1) and dollar general have great cards from American Greetings ($1)

Re: Hallmark stores closing

haddon9 — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:27:41 GMT

There's a Norman's Hallmark near me that does very well. In addition to Hallmark cards and gift wrap they sell all kinds of gift items from Vera Bradley, Yankee Candles, jewelry, candy and many other things.

I go in whenever I need to find a quick gift item.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

chickenbutt — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:43:51 GMT

I don't know if it's as much price as it's the fact that you can buy them in the grocery store, drugstores, etc.

I buy 7 cards a year and get them at the grocery store. I honestly don't even know if they charge the same as the Hallmark price on the back of the card - probably. I just get them as I need them.

There probably is just a lot less need for them to have separate stores that are just Hallmark items. I guess, however, one benefit is that they have a lot more Hallmark stuff than you'll generally find at other stores.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

ahoymate — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:46:08 GMT

I don't know about buying at the Dollar Store,maybe in your area. These stores are not in my area. Papyrus greeting cards, now those are expensive. Hallmark, in comparison, not so much.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

ValuSkr — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:48:44 GMT

Like others said, Hallmark stores have priced themselves out of business. $4.99 and more for a card is ridiculous. They try to add value by adding beads or ribbons and some other cheap decoration to the paper. I like to send a card now and then, but only go to Hallmark as a last resort. There are other places that sell cards, giftwrap, ribbon, etc. that are inexpensive and less cheesy.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

Krimpette — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:51:35 GMT

I haven't been to a Hallmark store in a long time, though I always used to enjoy them. I currently make all my own cards and still send out a fair amount of cards. As to wrapping paper, I tend to get that at Target or the drugstore.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

Lyttlewyng — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:52:51 GMT

My Hallmark store was taken over by The Paper Store but continue to carry all Hallmark cards, wrapping paper, bags and gifts. They still take my Hallmark member's card for discounts too. Aside from the name change, it's pretty much the same store.

I'm happy it didn't leave the area.

Re: Hallmark stores closing

sunshine45 — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 17:04:01 GMT

we have three hallmark stores within 5 miles of us. they are all busy and still going strong. they have been around for years. my daughter and i enjoy going in and browsing.....and buying. they usually have nice gift and clothing/accessory items there. i also have a collection of LOLITA glasses and stop by there when i am in the mood for a new one.

my favorite time to shop there? a week or two after christmas.....when items are 50%-75% off!

Re: Hallmark stores closing

mustang66lady — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 17:12:01 GMT

I agree that Hallmark has priced themselves out of business. Our store at the mall closed, but did reopen in a much smaller version of itself at Christmas time. To be honest, I only go to our mall for the Bath and Body Works store and haven't been there for awhile so have no idea if it is still open. It was a franchise store. The one closest to my house, another franchise, closed quietly years ago. With the prices of their cards and many of them requiring additional postage to send, and people that don't seem to really appreciate them any more, I just purchase at my local grocery store which sells Hallmark for a few family members,and is a 2 minute drive from me, or the Dollar Tree if I am in that area, or Walmart. I'm not adding to the cost of the card, driving 20 minutes out of my way one direction, just for a card. What I do miss, is the gift options-we just don't seem to have gift stores of any kind any more-maybe giving sweet little gifts for a birth, anniversary, pick me up, congratulation, etc, is becoming passe' as well. Just a sign of the times.