Customers Say Goodbye to Bay Hills Card & Gift Shop
The store's owner left a farewell message to his customers, and received dozens in reply.
Photos
Along the storefront of the former Bay Hills Card & Gift are a series of thank you messages from loyal customers.
The Arnold-based Hallmark location closed its doors this week, after being open for just over 25 years.
Store owner Brad McCormack told Patch that keeping the store open was no longer financially feasible. McCormack said he was closing his family business, which he inherited from his father, and moving on to a new chapter in his life.
In a farewell message to his customers posted on the store's door, McCormack wrote the following:
"It is with deep regret that Bay Hills Card and Gift is closed. Thank you all for the many great years of being part of the Broadneck business community."
In addition to McCormack's own farewell words, dozens of customers wrote their own goodbye messages on a long sheet of wrapping paper, now posted inside the store.
A selection of their messages:
"Brad, I will miss this store! You have been a great neighbor."
"Good job over the years."
"Brad, sorry to see you and your team leaving. We have great memories of coming in with our kids in strollers."
"What will I do without this store?! I have been coming here forever!"
"Brad and staff, my heart is so heavy because you are closing up. You have been a delight for all that shopped here. Best wishes in your new adventures!"
"You will be missed more than you know..."
"The shopping center will not be the same without the Hallmark. We will miss you. Best of luck, and thank you!"
W. L.
10:45 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Too bad the owners of that strip are so greedy that they are causing stores to close because they wans MORE rent. It is a no brainer that raising rent in these tough financial times doesn't bring in more money. It just adds to the problems out there. Where is the good will?
D. Frank Smith
11:08 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
The card and gift owner actually told me it wasn't a rent hike that made him decide to leave, but fewer people visiting the shops in recent years. Here's my interview with him: http://broadneck.patch.com/articles/hallmark-store-owner-saw-the-end-coming-before-closing
kim rifield
9:42 am on Friday, March 1, 2013
Brad is the nicest guy ever. The ladies he had working there were also so kind and friendly. Brad always welcomed you and if you shopped there often enough, he'd call you by name. His store always had the best merchandise. I am sad that he had to close up shop. Good luck in the future Brad. You will be missed in the Peninsula.
Nancy Greer
11:28 am on Friday, March 1, 2013
If you love a neighborhood business, the service it provides, and the community it helps create, support it as much as you can. When I need donations for an annual silent auction that I organize, it's almost always the local, small business owner who donates.
tom
1:36 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
A bit off topic, but it's disappointing how many Hallmark cards are now made in China. Hallmark isn't the only one, but certainly one of the more prominent ones. I try to send only greeting cards made in USA, but they're becoming more scarce these days.