Hattie’s Hallmark Shop will close by the end of June after three decades in business at 41630 W. 10 Mile Road in the Novi 10 Shopping Center.
It was not the choice of Debbie Alba and Diane Ross, sisters and co-owners of the shop, who said they sadly lost their lease.
“Our landlord got an offer on our space and he decided to take it,” Alba said. “We would have stayed open, all our Christmas items were already ordered for this year and we had to cancel that order. We’ve been dealing with these companies for 30 years and they were nice and understanding.”
Janet Stark, a longtime Hallmark shopper who puts up three Christmas trees every year, had her arms filled with 50%-off Keepsake ornaments as she browsed the store, which was also offering 20% off all gift items last week and 10% off cards.
The Fenton resident lamented the dwindling number of Hallmark stores and the closing of this Novi store in particular (one remains in Twelve Oaks Mall).
“It’s extremely sad, and the way it was done was self-serving,” Stark said. “They were a dedicated lessee for 30 years, and they are being blown out like it’s nothing. I’m sure they rode the wave through tough times when occupancy was down (elsewhere in the plaza). Their loyalty was taken advantage of (and the leaser is) too greedy.”
Albert Ludwig, a property manager with Tricap Holdings, said the new tenant of the building will be Orangetheory Fitness, which was willing to commit to a 10-year lease and offered more money for the 4,800-square-foot space. It is expected to take occupancy of the building this fall after making renovations.
He noted that Hallmark had been in the building for a “long, long time,” but had been on a month-to-month lease since their long-term lease expired three years ago.
“It wasn’t my decision, I had to make a recommendation (to the property owner),” Ludwig said. “For me, it was terrible. I’ve had a great relationship with the sisters for 15 years. Now every old lady in the neighborhood is calling me.”
Longtime customers are devastated, Alba said, with many visiting the store in the past week in tears.
Barb Kaspzyk entered the store last week and stared at the signs declaring that the shop had lost its lease and everything must go.
“No, they can’t close,” she said simply. “I’m really sad. They are always there the minute you walk in the door and ready to help you. They will be missed.”
Denise Burnham, a resident of Novi for 64 years, said she had been shopping at the store “since the beginning.”
“The ladies here are so nice and helpful,” she said. “You can find anything and everything at a Hallmark.”
Alba and Ross bought their first Hallmark store 40 years ago and at one time owned three. The Novi store is their last location and given only 90 days to vacate, they say they didn’t have time to move their inventory and reopen in a new spot.
They reflected on their many years as Hallmark owners, celebrating holidays and observing life milestones with their customers who became their friends and with whom they laughed and cried.
“It never felt like work,” Alba said. “You don’t know how much you affect people until they start to tell you. … This is a store where we’re all family.”
Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Hattie’s Hallmark, a Novi keepsake for 30 years, loses its lease
Reporting by Susan Bromley, Hometownlife.com / Hometownlife.com
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
