Ellen’s Hallmark Is So Much More Than Just Greeting Cards!

By Celeste McLaughlin

Just a few months after the one-year anniversary of its opening, Ellen’s Hallmark in Wesley Chapel is now the go-to destination for shoppers looking for high-quality, unique greeting cards and hundreds of novelty gift ideas. The store is located just south of S.R. 56 and the Shops at Wiregrass mall on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in the Publix-anchored Shoppes at New Tampa shopping plaza.

“Our people are centered on customer service,” says Henrietta Wilson, the store’s manager. “We welcome everyone when they walk through the door, and we’re always happy to help you find the special cards and gifts you’re looking for.”

 She adds, “We, of course, have a great selection of cards, but people always tell us we have all kinds of things they never thought they’d find here, too.”

Those unexpected items include apparel, such as Noelle fashions (ladies tops, cardigans, scarves and purses), and Life is Good t-shirts, hats and mugs, plus popular signature collections, such as Hallmark’s licensed Disney products. “When people come in to the store, they realize there’s so much to take in,” Henrietta explains. “We have an unbelievable selection of gifts.”

Ellen’s Hallmark in Wesley Chapel is owned by Tom Finnegan and John Quinn. The pair own 11 Ellen’s Hallmark stores throughout Florida, including one in Tampa Palms that has been open about 10 years, located in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center, off Tampa Palms Blvd.

“So many of our customers (at the Tampa Palms location) lived outside of Tampa Palms,” Tom says. “So, we opened a store in Wesley Chapel to accommodate them. We know people don’t want to drive through all the construction on Bruce B. Downs to get to our Tampa Palms store, so we moved to where our customers are.”

Henrietta says people in Wesley Chapel have responded well to the new Hallmark store in their community. 

“For the past year, when (local residents) come in, they continue to tell us how thrilled they are that we’re now in the area,” she explains. “Wesley Chapel has been lacking a great gift store, and as (the area) continues to grow, especially for young families, we’re here to provide cards and gifts for many special occasions.”

She adds, “Hallmark has always been known for having the very best. So, we often hear from our customers that they’re excited that we’re here.”

Tom says he was first introduced to Hallmark products when he was hired to work at the Paramus, NJ, Gimbel’s department store in 1970 and was assigned the job of setting up the Hallmark section for Christmas. At that point, he realized he loved Hallmark’s products, and he opened his first Hallmark store in 1983, naming it after Ellen, an old friend from high school.

“People come in because their daughter’s getting married, their grandson is graduating, they are celebrating an anniversary, a wedding or a new baby,” Tom says, adding that he enjoys his customers and helping them find gifts for these special moments. “Of course, they come in for sad occasions, too, such as the loss of a family member or even a pet.” He says he recognizes the significance of sharing these milestones with his customers.

“The business has changed over the years,” Tom explains. “Our focus used to be mainly on cards, but now it’s on both cards and gifts.”

He attributes the Wesley Chapel store’s success in part to its manager. “Henrietta does a fantastic job,” Tom says. “She is a phenomenal manager.” Prior to becoming the store manager at the Wesley Chapel location, Henrietta managed the Ellen’s Hallmark in the Citrus Park mall in Tampa. Henrietta says she will celebrate 30 years of working for Hallmark stores next year.

“We are always available to help our customers find the perfect gift,” Henrietta says. “We give them suggestions, and we leave them alone to shop, but we never leave them wandering around without being able to help them find what they’re looking for.”

She adds, “There are plenty of places where you can pick up a card, but you’re not going to get the customer service you deserve, except in a Hallmark store.”

She says Ellen’s Hallmark has special events throughout the year to celebrate customer appreciation, to highlight holidays and to launch new products. Another thing she says she enjoys about Hallmark stores is the people who come back year after year for important events. “Some of the same people come back and are even excited to see each other,” Henrietta explains. “I try to have name tags so they can remember each other’s names, and I love to watch them get together with people of (similar) interests.”

One such couple is Donna and Ben Basnight. They say that they used to shop at Henrietta’s previous store, and now travel to Wesley Chapel because of her personal service and attention.

“We collect several items she carries in the store, such as (Painted Ponies collectables) and (Hallmark’s Mischievous Kittens Christmas ornaments),” Ben says. “So she’ll call us when she sees something she thinks we’ll like.” 

He estimates they visit the store two or three times each month, including whenever there are special events, for new products.

“We often get gifts for our grandkids,” he says. “There are really unique items in the store (including Tervis Tumbler cups, collegiate memorabilia and Precious Moments collectables). Henrietta is very good to us and (the entire staff) is knowledgeable and hard working. They’ll never just tell you, ‘I don’t know.’”

“The staff is very friendly,” Donna agrees with a smile.

Ben says he previously worked for Bed Bath & Beyond for 25 years, so he’s familiar with retail. 

“Ellen’s Hallmark carries an interesting variety of products,” Ben says. “The cards are wonderful, but it’s not just the cards. There are really unique baby gifts, birthday gifts, scarves and jewelry. It’s just a better place to shop.”

Don’t Miss The Premiere!

The next event the Basnights will attend is the store’s premiere of this year’s Hallmark collectable Christmas ornaments, which make their debut on the weekend of July 11-12. 

“There are a lot of people who collect Hallmark Christmas ornaments year after year who can’t wait to see and touch this year’s new ornaments,” Tom says.

Ellen’s Hallmark in Wesley Chapel is open extended hours that weekend for the premiere event (8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday).

“Collectors will be glad to know that Barbie is back this year,” Tom says. “Barbie ornaments have not been available the last couple of years, so Hallmark is pleased to have obtained the rights to introduce new Barbie ornaments for this Christmas.”

To see pictures of a few of the ornaments that will be available for purchase at this year’s premier event, see the ad for Ellen’s Hallmark on page 6.

Ellen’s Hallmark in Wesley Chapel is located at 1932 BBD, between Plato’s Closet and the UPS Store. The store is open Mon.- Fri., 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sat., and noon–5 p.m. on Sun. For more info, call 994-3400.