Hallmark, one of Vernon Park Mall’s earliest tenants, will be closing its doors for good in mid-January.
In a February article, The Free Press reported Hallmark’s future was in doubt, but the store was able to continue regular operations until a recent decision to close.
Store manager Carolyn Harrell said she was informed of the closing on Monday.
Harrell said the decision was made by Hallmark’s cooperate office due to the store not meeting expectations.
“We needed to do ‘X’ amount of dollars, and we weren’t doing what we were supposed to do,” she said.
Harrell said she was devastated when she received the news.
“I’ve been with the company for over 30 years, and it hurts,” she said.
Harrell said she, along with 10 part-time employees, will be out of work once the store closes in mid-January.
“I’ve told them to start looking for a job elsewhere and I won’t hold them to working until the store closes. They need to do what’s best for them,” she said.
Emily Eubanks, who has been working at Hallmark since August, said she and her co-workers are sad to see the store close.
“Everybody is really upset. We love it here and are all one big family,” she said.
As of Friday, the entire store, excluding Christmas items, is 50 percent off of regular price.
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark763@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @nclark763.
Vernon Park Mall Hallmark store prices:
Christmas items remain at regular price
Everything else in the store is 50 percent off
Store will close in mid-January