LIMA — It has been a fixture at Lima’s Eastgate Plaza for four decades, but dwindling foot traffic coupled with higher costs have finally spelled the end for the Readmore’s Hallmark east Lima location.
The closure of the 2100 Harding Highway, Suite 19, location was announced Monday morning on Readmore’s Hallmark Facebook page.
“After 40-plus years in business, we must close due to lack of customer traffic,” the post read. “We want to thank all of our loyal, regular customers who continue to support us, but it is just not enough to continue. Our closing sale begins today.”
For owner Steve Brunner, the decision to close was years in the making, as sales have been in decline for some time at the store, which features greeting cards, books, magazines and gift items.
“Really, our foot traffic has been seeing a decline for really about the past five years,” he said.
Along with fewer people coming into the store, increased expenses due to inflation and multiple increases in the state’s minimum wage also contributed to the decision to close, Brunner said. Even the store’s dedicated staff and the loyal customer base the store had built over the years was not enough to keep the store afloat, he said, also citing a good relationship with the owners of the Eastgate Plaza property, which is currently Jar Investment LLC, according to the Allen County Auditor’s website.
“They’ve even lowered the rent for us to try to help,” he said.
Brunner said there are no plans to close the other Readmore’s Hallmark location in Lima, 3330 W. Elm St., and he hopes that customers on Lima’s east side will continue their patronage at the west side location.
“Lima’s been good to us,” he said.
There is no firm closure date for the store, Brunner said, but a closeout sale is currently under way, offering 20 percent off all merchandise except for single greeting cards, gift wrap, magazines and food items.
The other merchandise will be distributed to the Elm Street store and to other Readmore’s Hallmark locations in Findlay, Greenville and Piqua.