Amidst news of major local retailers closing, it's good to hear a business is returning to Coquitlam.
Hallmark Gold Crown has re-opened in Coquitlam Centre shopping centre after a 17-year hiatus.
Banking on nostalgia for greeting cards, Christmas ornaments and gifts, the franchise is once again catering to Tri-City customers yearning for a personalized card or treasure to give their friends or loved ones.
The last time Hallmark was in Coquitlam Centre was in 2006.
"We are back," said Monique Vieira, assistant manager, who said customers have been checking out the store's extensive line of cards, gifts and collectibles since it opened just over a month ago.
Vieira, who previously worked at Surrey's Guildford store, said younger people are preferring actual cards over online greeting cards with "fireworks" and other gimmicks — especially for their parents and grandparents.
"What we're seeing is a bit of a turnaround," said Vieira, who said teens especially enjoy the selection of cards at the shop.
Among the gifts available are a popular line of Hallmark Christmas ornaments, which celebrate their 50th year, as well as licensed products, including ornaments, by Disney.
You can find Star Wars collections, Ravensburger puzzles, Friends and Golden Girls gifts and nostalgic Snoopy keepsakes.
Owner Rich Allen purchased his first Hallmark Gold Crown franchise in 2001, his wife Margaret joined the company in 2007 and they have 18 stores in multiple locations across Canada.
In B.C., there is a Hallmark store in Abbotsford, Penticton and Surrey.
The new Coquitlam Hallmark location is at 1116-2929 Barnet Hwy., on the lower level near Hudson's Bay and across from Foot Locker.
