Kirlin's Hallmark, one of the original Capital Mall stores, announced after Christmas that it plans to close after Jan. 3.
Over the weekend, the store began selling its remaining stock at a 40 percent discount. Coupons, with the exception of birthday coupons, were not being accepted, and punch cards were not being punched or redeemed, a sign in the store said. Crown Rewards certificates were being honored.
No store has been tabbed to take Kirlin's place at the mall yet.
"There are no plans yet for that space that we can divulge," said Jamie Reed, the mall's manager.
Kirlin's Hallmark has been a tenant since the mall opened in 1978.
"We are very disappointed to lose such a longstanding tenant and pillar of Capital Mall, but we are excited about the prospects of new and exciting tenants to replace them," Reed said later in an email. "I know the company is closing several (maybe close to 20) stores across the Midwest this year, so this is not a reflection of Capital Mall or the health of this store in particular."
The retail chain specializes in greeting cards, gift wrap, ornaments and gifts for all occasions. The chain started as Andes Candies in Quincy, Illinois, in 1948, and now operates stores in 10 Midwestern states.
The closure of the mall store leaves Carrie's Hallmark as the sole Hallmark store in Jefferson City. In Mid-Missouri, Hallmark stores are located in Columbia, Rolla and Sedalia.
A district manager of Kirlin's Hallmark did not return a call to the News Tribune on Monday.