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/

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