Who Will Be Left To Turn Off The Lights?

I am stunned.

Tonight I received a notice on Facebook that Sandee's Stamps is closing in 

Waterford. I started to visit this store back when it was known simply as Jane's. It was not too far from my daughter's work place and I would often meet her there and we would do dinner afterwards or I would stop solo and then drive to Royal Oak where she lived for a bit.

Imagine how cool it was when Courtney actually moved right down the road from the stamp place and we eventually took a class or two.  I was so happy to have a place that fed my creativity and had the friendliest of employees. 

Then the store was sold, daughter moved, I had a car accident, husband was no longer working and Michigan was sinking into unemployment hell.  I tried to visit at least every so many months, but winter roads often kept me home, so I tagged along if husband had a luncheon or I was doing my big grocery shopping trip. I tried to do my part but I couldn't financially keep the store going with my small bag full of treasures.

Sandee's will start the going out of business sale today, May 12th and the store hours can be found at the name link. You can also get any info from the Facebook page Sandee's Stamps as they update the sale information.

I had always hoped I could bring my grand daughter to this store when she was a tad older,  maybe next year at 3. I won't get to do that now. And one more sanctuary of artistic bliss will now be filled with ghosts of stampers past. There really isn't anyplace left. As even the big box stores downsize the paper crafting aisles, magazines cease publication and scores of former stampers sell their unused wares on Ebay, I find I no longer wish to add a link to the long list of stores at the bottom of the blog. If I put one in open, I put two in closing.

Turn off the lights. Perhaps someone will have left some glow in the dark ink to guide  future stampers. 

Scrap Tales of Brighton Is Closing

Sadly the Michigan economy sucked the life out of another local artsy/crafty store. The sale starts today July 14 and continues thru August 7. For info, check the  Scrap Tales site for any updates as the sale begins at 20% off. Shop early for best selections. I hope to make a trip this weekend, as I totally missed the Scrapbook Zone closing due to a horrible viral thing last month.

This store is about an hour from me and I tried to make a visit every quarter or so, but when the store was sold a while back, I found I wasn't making a visit quite as often. My style and wants have changed over the last two or three years and I have long ago gravitated toward stamping instead of scrapbooking. I think other paper crafters are finding the same dilemma and either were stamping or scrapping.  The stamping supplies got thinner at Scrap Tales and less diverse after the new owners took over, so I got my fix elsewhere. I did take a few classes here and they were quite extraordinary as this example will show.

I don't even want to speculate on who is next to go, but I have the feeling we are not done with losing the crafty comforts of Michigan. 

Sigh-Destination Marysville Is Also Closing.

I have never been to this store. It has been open less than two years and will be closing May 28, 2011. Another piece of the Michigan economy gone to hell. Click the link for address etc. Honestly, I don't think I even know where Marysville is. But a Google map will help you if you want to hit the final sale days. Sigh.

Scrapbook Zone Closing.

This is one store I didn't think I would ever have to list under closing or closed. I have always loved this store in Farmington Hills. I preferred the older location because it was easier for me to get to off the multiple freeways I had to take to get there. Plus added benefit was a Panera across the street!

The Scrapbook Zone had more cardstock colors than any store I had ever been to. I have visited  many a store that had the basics or professed to have the most cardstock but the Zone had every color imaginable and if you couldn't find something to match, the color didn't exist. There was always a cool stamp at 40% off each month and the most incredible examples up for viewing of art that employees and customers had made. I still remember someone "borrowing" an heirloom scrapbook someone made and I never did find out if it was returned. 

But the oddest shopping night in the store, they were shop lifted. This very well dressed woman kept trolling the aisles and I thought she was weird but so are many people  Then the cops show up. Yeah, that was a fun trip, and the last one I actually took on my own before hubby retired. I am going to miss this store and now have absolutely no reason to visit the area. I am at the point where I say "why bother to leave the house"?  All my former haunts are going away.

Scrapbookers Inc in White Lake---Going Out of Business

After 8 years in two locations-both out of the way-another store is closing. Scrapbookers Inc in White Lake, Michigan is closing. The going out of business sale starts Jan 2 at 40% off.  I really liked this store when it was in it's former location  in Commerce Township (even if it was hard to get there) because it's so pretty in the fall in the overly treed area and twisting roads up and down hills. It was neat.

I tried to go once to the new location after hubby was golfing and I dropped him off at Camp Dearborn. Sadly they were closed on a day that should have been a business day, so I never got to visit the new place. It's again, an hour's drive if not more for me. I don't get to the area much anymore since daughter moved away. I don't know if I want to try and make a trip as honestly, what I want just doesn't seem to make it to the local stores, so I either buy online or go without. 

 5951 Highland Road {M-59} * White Lake, MI *248-714-9441

Live Laugh Love Scrap in Oxford Closing

This little out of the way store just east of the Palace of Auburn Hills has been around for a while. It's been a couple of years since I visited it, but there was no reason to go there with hubby not working anymore down that way. It will be gone Thursday.

So if you are in the area, stop and get a deal or two of 50% off or more as there are only two days left-I heard  storage and store fixtures remain  available, too. Look HERE for directions and hours. Sad to see another local business go, and I think another will be listed here very soon. Support your local happy places, whether retail or eatery.

Stamp and Scrap Closing In Livonia

I feel like a broken record. I bring the news of another stamp/scrap store closing. There could be a whole rant here about this store but why rub salt in the wound? Here is the statement sent out today from the proprietor.

""Yes, it is true, after 13 years of business we will be closing our doors. It has been a fun and wonderful ride. You have been our extended family for so many years. I have seen the kids grow, get married, have babies, and much more. I will dearly miss that. I can only thank all of you for all of your kind words, continued support, and well wishes during this very difficult decision. So what will I do?I am going to become a Stampin' Up Representative after the shop is closed and teach out of my home. If you are interested in getting class information and being added to my email list, please email me at scrappinandstampin@att.net and I will add you to the list. I am also looking into hosting weekend retreats with classes, croppin', and projects.

I think this will be the hardest email to push the send button on. Again, thank you for all of your support and I hope to say that final goodbye to you soon.

With Love,
Barb ""

http://scrappinandstampin.homestead.com/

Click link for details. I will update the sidebar as needed.

Memory Lane Bay City-Closing

Another one bites it. This store was just purchased this past spring from the original owners. Last month was a blip that the store would no longer have loyalty points. Then an email came saying the store would be great for 3-4 women to purchase together. Never good news-but one BIG problem was no parking. It was slant parking on the main street downtown Bay City and I always had to drive around as Bay City has a decent downtown area with lots of shops.

I will be very surprised should it be sold and re-open. Here is the website.

Store Hours
Sunday-Monday~Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM

989-894-7973

The store is currently at 4o-60% off.

Sadly, this was one of my favs, pre-new owners. Lots of unusual items. Then I saw the drift. And the wider aisles with less and less product. I fear that Scrapbook Peddler in Saginaw is not far behind. They are doing the same re-arranging I see whenever a store is slowing to a crawl. There is also a rubber stamp store across the street (formally Rubber Wonderland now Di's Ink-which has no website, so is it still open?).

I believe the scrap/stamp hobby is just as big as it was but has radically changed. And the economy of course, is forcing us to decide how to shop. I always try to find local, but if I really need something and can't find it or the owners can't or won't order for me, I do shop the Internet. Especially for stamps. But I always give first crack at my local stores. There just aren't any close by anymore-even with gas cheap again, I still have to drive an hour.

I will update this if I hear anything else about the store.

My Friend Stacey Bought a Stamp Company!

How cool is that?? You can see the images and purchase online here or you can buy them in person at Stacey's store in Fowlerville. Both links are in my sidebar under local stamp and scrap stores!

Jo's ETSY Shoppe

My friend Johanna makes pretty cool jewelry and she has an ETSY shoppe here . Take a look around her store. She also does ATC's of which I have dozens. Johanna has some health problems and uses her artistic talents to purchase her medicine each month-sadly she lost her job and benefits months ago.

I hope you see something you like and I have added her shop to my Friends and Family list on the right-just click to shop (and save gas too!)

More Bad News For Scrappers and Stampers In Michigan

Another store is biting the dust. Scrap Tales in Brighton is having a going out of business sale which started May 1. The first week was by invitation only for loyal shoppers. Of course, I had to go. It was only 20% off at this time but I was able to get full packs of neutral card stock from Bazzill-25 to 50 sheets per package for 10-14 bucks. I stocked up on some single sheets too as I love the earthy pumpkins and browns.

They will be announcing the sale in the papers and on the radio this week. I have no idea if they tried to sell the business as the owner said the store was fine financially but she wanted to move on after 7 years. Honestly, I thought this and the Zone would be the only two left as they were the best stocked and were fun to visit. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by as Scrap Tales will be open thru the end of June. A lot of stock was moving fast at 20% off but other than card stock and Penny Black stickers, I held back. I may go back at 40-50 off later in the month. I have my eye on some stamps but need a better discount to follow thru.

I also went to the Zone for National Scrapbook Day and got some fun stuff but never did get to do the Make and Takes-this place was hopping! I had my name on the list but ended up leaving when the line never budged. Oh well, I forgot my scissors anyways. I found a wonderful new paper company called GCD Studios. Double sided and textured!

Now this may be here say, but I think the Scrapbook Station in Fenton is close to going under, too. I stopped to use my full punch card and they aren't accepting them anymore. There was nothing really new in the store since the winter holidays either. The owner was not there and I didn't feel comfortable breaching the topic with the clerk who kept bugging me anyways. I never get store notices anymore and there were so many empty shelves that a year ago were full. I was the only one in the store on NSD. Pretty bad.

Bad News for Local Scrappers

The wonderful little store that closed a few weeks after Thanksgiving with a promise to re-open in a more viable place is not to be. I had not heard anything for quite a while so I contacted Paula and she told me there will be no grand re-opening.

Paula thought she might try making up kits (older Maya Road paper and books) and selling them online from the stock she has left over but honestly, the kits we can buy online are usually so cutting edge that leftovers will not go over enough to make it worth her time. She could just make up grab bags and sell that or hold a yard sale locally after the weather is good. Most people today want what is new and hot (I admit I am the same way sometimes).

Her store was cute and I enjoyed shopping there (after having a dickens of a time finding it for months-sorta a warning sign, right?). My entire area is so economically going to hell, and with a possibility of another local GM strike looming next week or so, it may be time to turn off the last light bulb on the way out.

I will leave her link in my side bar (Paula's Pickles) for another month or so and see what happens. I have bad vibes on a few more that are listed but maybe they are in better area's and can weather the storm.

Another Local Scrap Store Is Closing.This Is Getting Really Old

Scrappin' And Stampin' Paradise

I have never been to this one-it's really out of the way and hard to find. If you are in lower eastern Michigan (the thumb and below), give them a call and go get some bargains.

So so sad.

Okemos Scrap Store---Just Gone!

ETA-It's closed, sealed up and taped over. The former proprietors are not answering emails or having any contact with anyone. Skipped town maybe? I know they had kids in the school systems and a home. Usually you hear some gossip somewhere along the pipeline but this is so bizarre.

Photos To Scrapbooks/MJ Inspire

It just looks gone! The dollar scrap store next door is empty except for some folded cardboard boxes and one display thingie. A few garbage bags on the floor. But a light was on and I could see inside---no product whatsoever.

The main store was totally impossible to see inside because of the plastic bags over the windows and no lights on. Signs on doors said closed and no deliveries would be accepted.

I emailed them and it hasn't bounced back yet so maybe I will hear from them. But the store forums are off limits and inaccessible to those of us who registered long ago.

So the last time I got a newsletter from them was right before Thanksgiving with a 40% off coupon and some big sale. I didn't save it as I knew I wasn't going or there weren't any classes I wanted. I have a store credit too. sigh.

We speculated over din din. They snuck out on the lease the end of the month....or they were in receivership and the banks took the stock as collateral...or they are redesigning the store and want it to be a surprise (they did this in August and it was a bust)....or aliens took it all....nothing legal posted, so I am gonna do a Google search and see what turns up. ++++++++++Hmmmmm-not a peep++++++++++.

Maybe they just sold the contents at 50% off or less and just closed. There were warning signs for a while but nothing this bad. So another one bites the dust locally. That leaves one store in the Lansing area-Pages in Time.

My side bar is gonna get smaller and smaller---sad.

Another Local Scrap Store Is Closing.

I received this yesterday via email. They had closed their other store earlier this year-the writing is on the wall for several others locally within an hours drive. Sad-but Michigan is falling into an economic pit it may not crawl out of for a long long time. At least 6 stores I visit have closed this year, two are for sale and one is nearing bankruptcy.

Many of you may have heard the news by now. This past weekend we made the announcement that we will be closing our Sterling Heights "Simple Pleasures Scrapbook Treasures" storefront. We plan to endeavor some new ventures in the scrapbooking industry! In addition, you will see us around at local school, church and charity crops, the Great Lakes Mega Meet and possibly Gibraltar Trade Center, etc. Keep us in mind if you are in need of a store set-up at your next crop event of 50 participants or more! We would love to set up our store for you!

We thank you all very much for shopping with us and supporting our business for the past near 8 years we've been in business. We will let you know our closing date as soon as we know. In the meantime, we hope you will continue to shop at "S.P.S.T." for all of your scrapbook needs!

Sharon, Tammy, Denise & Staff Simple Pleasures Scrapbook Treasures 44645 Mound Road Sterling Heights, MI 48314 (586) 323-6300

ETA-news that an addtional store is closing. The Stamping Grounds in Royal Oak is soon to close. The Stamping Grounds/ Silver-mania will close its doors 5 pm on Saturday, December 15th. Watch for emails about increasing markdowns and specials beginning November 23.