KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Lee’s Hallmark in Granary Square is set to close their doors permanently on June 30 to make way for the neighboring Starbucks, currently located two doors down, to expand into their space.
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When John Trimble received a call from the plaza owners last month, he thought it was to discuss the new rent agreement. But when he spoke to the Granary Square owners, he learned they were ending his lease after 14 years, with no options to renew.
Lee’s Hallmark made the announcement on their Facebook page after Mother’s Day and put up signs in the store letting customers know the store is closing.
Hundreds of Santa Clarita community members commented and reacted to the Facebook post.
“Noooo, Not another Starbucks,” said one Facebook user, “This is so sad, I’ll definitely miss my Snoopy and card purchase.”
Ken Irwin, a longtime Santa Clarita resident, was at Lee’s Hallmark shopping Friday, just as he and his wife have done since moving to the Santa Clarita Valley.
“We’ve lived out in the valley here for 46 years. We’ve been coming to this store all that time,” said Irwin. “We’ve enjoyed it and (are) real disappointed that they’re leaving. Hopefully they land somewhere nearby, but we don’t know at this point.”
Trimble has owned Lee’s Hallmark in the Santa Clarita Valley since 1981, since the original business owner moved locations from Lyons Avenue to Granary Square on McBean Parkway and sold it to Trimble.
The original Lee’s Hallmark open on the corner of Lyons Avenue and Orchard Village Road.
“When I closed the lease over there, I bought this store 14 years ago,” Trimble said. “But the property changed ownership about eight years ago to Kimco Realty. They’ve raised the rent over the years. I was willing to negotiate with them but they wouldn’t.”
It is currently unknown when the Starbucks will expand to take over the location, or where Lee’s Hallmark will go after their lease ends.
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Ok, so now I know whom to hold responsible … the owners of Granary Square. I understand they are running their business, but it seems unethical for them to treat Lee’s this way. I hope Lee’s finds a better & less costly spot to reopen…if they choose to.
I’m a regular of this Hallmark store. I am exceedingly disappointed that the Landlord is moving Hallmark out and will lease it to enlarging the Starbucks. There are far too many Starbucks in this valley!!! Makes me sad and mad!
I think that is outrageous!!! to throw out a good person who has faithfully paid his rent for 14 years to a Starbucks because you can make more money is bull$%!t !!!! do you have any idea what it takes to move a small business??? Starbucks makes enough money to build a new site out in the parking lot, and they could put in a drive through!! But NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
its better for Starbucks and the shopping center to kick out the long-term tenant!!! so now because it is too costly and to much work, they are going to close the business, all so a bunch of intolerant yuppies and liberals can sit around a drink coffee…. SAD SAD SAD!!
Ah. It’s called Capitalism. A little overreaction you think?
Really sorry to hear this.
I’m so tired of Starbucks taking over everywhere. Do we really need one on every corner it’s seriously getting ridiculous. I get money talks to owners but loyalty plays a big part in Buisness as well. Shame on Kimco and Starbucks!!
Apparently we do or they wouldn’t be taking over ????
Years ago my husband and I owned a Laundromat in a Gardena California strip mall. When it came time to renew our lease the strip mall owners would not negotiate they wanted us out. We found out from other tenants that they like the idea of a laundromat, their intent was to drive us out and take over. My husband called Goodwill and a caravan of trucks lined up in front of our store and hauled away every piece of equipment. They were shocked. We were able to deduct the cost of the equipment as a donation and walked away from a hostile environment.
I am so sorry to hear this…. It saddens me, yet once again, to see/hear that big business pushies out the mom n pop shops, shame on them…. I dislike Starbucks immensely, as will as several of my friends. The only reason they are still alive is because “School Kids” congregate there, just as years ago people congregated at “Bobs Big Boy”…. Most the kids that go there go to meet up with their friends not for Starbucks products. If Bobs Big Boy Moved into Santa Clarita Valley, Starbucks would go out of business.
It cracks me up to see people’s responses on here, like it’s the end of the world. This is definitely a first world problem. Get over it. It’s called the free market. Hallmark will find another location, and who knows maybe it will be a better opportunity for Hallmark. Don’t always look on the negative side of things people! There are plenty of other things in this world that are much more serious going on other than stores changing locations.
John,
So sorry to hear this news. I know George would’ve been sad to hear this is why your closing, as I know you were a favorite account of his. Wishing you and your team the best.
They should move into the still vacant old Starbucks location at Orchard Village and Lyons! Very sad to see this happen, I’m not sure I know of another place to buy cards on this end of the valley… guess I’ll have to get them at the car wash or the market. As an aside, is this a franchise? Seems like it would be as it uses the Hallmark name.