[retiredguy123]

I don't know when it happened, but the two Hallmark stores at Lake Sumter and Lady Lake are now called The Paper Store. Hallmark says they are closing a number of stores because more people are using the Internet to send greeting cards. But, to me, the huge increase in the cost of greeting cards may also have something to do with it. I never like receiving an electronic greeting card.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I don't know when it happened, but the two Hallmark stores at Lake Sumter and Lady Lake are now called The Paper Store. Hallmark says they are closing a number of stores because more people are using the Internet to send greeting cards. But, to me, the huge increase in the cost of greeting cards may also have something to do with it. I never like receiving an electronic greeting card.

The outrageous cost of greeting cards led to people going other routes.

[Smalley]

The Hallmark store devoted a tiny amount of space to greeting cards and the selection has suffered. It's mostly a gift shop now. Where can one find the best selection of funny greeting cards that don't cost $6. each?????

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Smalley

The Hallmark store devoted a tiny amount of space to greeting cards and the selection has suffered. It's mostly a gift shop now. Where can one find the best selection of funny greeting cards that don't cost $6. each?????

Publix often offers a buy one get one sale for Hallmark cards.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

The outrageous cost of greeting cards led to people going other routes.

Not to mention the ever increasing cost of a stamp to mail a card!

[justjim]

We still do greeting cards. Dollar tree usually has a pretty fair selection at a good price.

[Keefelane66]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

Not to mention the ever increasing cost of a stamp to mail a card!

The easy way out of that is deliver it yourself.

[Mleeja]

Ollie’s in Leesburg has a good selection of greeting cards as low as $.99 each. We will buy a bunch of birthday cards to have on hand. (Then forget we have the and pay $6.00 for a card from Walgreens or Publix.)

[Michael 61]

I was unaware Hallmark stores still existed. I don’t think I have stepped foot into one this century.

[coralway]

Bought a Valentines Day card - $9.05.

[Garywt]

I always felt the Hallmark and the Paper Store were the same thing.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by coralway

Bought a Valentines Day card - $9.05.

Yeah....went to find a couple of birthday cards recently and put back one's that cost that much. NOT doing it!!!! They get read then thrown away. Hallmark is over-priced!

[Michael 61]

I stoped buying cards and wrapping paper years ago - gifts go into a gift bag - and I hand the bag to the recipient.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Garywt

I always felt the Hallmark and the Paper Store were the same thing.

They sort of are, in a roundabout way. The Paper Store purchased over 100 Hallmark "Gold Crown" stores over the last dozen or so years. Hallmark isn't just a brand name for greeting cards, it's also a brand name for brick and mortar stores, christmas ornaments, and a variety of other gift items.

The Paper Store doesn't own Hallmark Greeting Cards, but they own a lot of the Hallmark stores and enjoy the right to sell Hallmark-branded products (among others).

The Hallmark Gold Crown store in my hometown got bought out years ago by the Paper Store, so when I came down here I was actually surprised that the Hallmark store hadn't already been bought out.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

They sort of are, in a roundabout way. The Paper Store purchased over 100 Hallmark "Gold Crown" stores over the last dozen or so years. Hallmark isn't just a brand name for greeting cards, it's also a brand name for brick and mortar stores, christmas ornaments, and a variety of other gift items.

The Paper Store doesn't own Hallmark Greeting Cards, but they own a lot of the Hallmark stores and enjoy the right to sell Hallmark-branded products (among others).

The Hallmark Gold Crown store in my hometown got bought out years ago by the Paper Store, so when I came down here I was actually surprised that the Hallmark store hadn't already been bought out.

The Paper Store was started by a guy I know, in Maynard, MA back in the late 60's. His Dad & Uncle owned the local Ford Dealership and Bobby Anderson bought the local "paper store". When I say "paper store", that's exactly what it was. It was tiny and sold newspapers, stationary supplies and some greeting cards. Bobby also partnered with a couple of other guys, on a "free Advertising" booklet that they distributed.

The original Paper Stores claim to fame back in the day, was the hired the prettiest and smartest female students to work behind the counter. Getting a job at The Paper Store, for a high school girl, was like getting named Prom Queen. You had to be smart, pretty and adhere to a very strict dress code while working there.

Bob eventually expanded the existing store and then opened a couple of more stores in neighboring communities. One in Clinton and I think the next, was in Acton. He then started to expand his inventories to include "knick knacks" and other gift items. As recently as 10-15 years ago, Bob himself was at the Maynard store most every day.

They've now expanded to well over 100 stores and Bob grandson is now the CEO, if I'm not mistaken. Their only major hiccup, was when they filed Bankruptcy during Covid. It turned out to be a very smart move for them, as they renegotiated many of their Leases and lowered their operational costs, significantly.

I think Bob's father lent him $5,000 to get it all started. The Paper Store is a great American success story.