Fox Mill's Hallmark Store To Close

a popular store at Fox Mill Shopping Center, will close in June, its owner said.

Susie Hauslein, who co-owns the store with her husband Jack, said most store items will be marked 20 percent off beginning Wednesday. Father's Day and Graduation items will remain full price. Additional markdowns will probably likely as the store gets close to closing in late June, she said.

The store has been at Fox Mill since 1995. The Hausleins have owned it for nine years. They are at the end of a three-year lease, which they signed in 2008 with an eye on retirement in 2011, said Susie Hauselin.

Susie Hauslein said they had worked with Hallmark to try and find a new owner.

"Ten years ago, people might be standing in line to buy a store," she said. "It is different now because of the economy. We've been doing well, but sales did flatten out a bit toward the end of 2008. Owners in other areas have had to close because of the economy.

"It is very sad," Hauselin said. "It is like leaving your family behind."

Most Hallmark stores have a loyal local customer base because the stock of cards, gift items, stuffed animals, costume jewelry and knick-knacks is constantly changing. Indeed, several customers at the on Tuesday came in to chat with employees about the news of the store closing.

Store staffer Barbara Williams has worked at area Hallmark stores for more than 30 years. She was at the now-closed one at the from 1976 to 1995, then at Fox Mill ever since.

"The regular customers are like my friends," she said. "We're joking maybe we will all just get together on lawn chairs and sit in front of the empty store.

Hallmark stores are individually owned, and area Hallmarks at North Point and Worldgate will remain open.