Photo: QueensPost
Dec. 16, 2012 By Christian Murray
It’s been a long time coming but the Hallmark store on Greenpoint Ave. is undergoing a makeover.
The store, located at 45-15 Greenpoint Ave., was purchased in November 2011 by a Filipino family who have decided to renovate it after the previous owner had failed to do so in the 25-years they had owned it. Hallmark has been at that Greenpoint Ave. location for decades.
“When we bought it we knew we would have to upgrade the store—although this is a big job,” said Arthur Deleon, 29, who operates the store with his sister and parents.
The store closed for the revamp on Sept. 1 and will reopen on Sept. 15 if all goes to plan. The aim is to change the layout, replace the ceiling and put in new carpet and shelves.
The front of the store, from the signage to the glass, is also being replaced.
Deleon said the family will offer a greater variety of merchandise when it reopens.
Deleon’s family owns another Hallmark store in Toms River, NJ. However, that is more of a suburban store, he said, where customers tend to buy bigger items—such as large picture frames– that fit inside their homes.
In Sunnyside, people buy smaller items since they live in apartments or smaller homes.
Meanwhile, around the corner from Hallmark, Rovin Optical has also closed for renovation. That store, located at 45-04 46th Street, is also scheduled to reopen on Sept. 15.
