By Sara Beth Williams–
A traditional and long-standing gift shop inside Sunrise Mall has closed.
Several shoppers could be seen buying the last of the merchandise available on July 29, the last day of Hallmark’s operation inside Sunrise Mall. The gift shop has existed in some form inside the mall for decades. Hallmark was located near Royal Stage theater, which is still operating with showings scheduled for August, according to its website. JCPenney, the only remaining anchor store, also remains open.
On Hallmark’s last day, most of the store shelves had been disassembled, and a handful of customers were purchasing large square picture frames that once lined the walls. Ornaments were $.99, and all other merchandise was listed at 90 percent off. At least one store employee said she will be relocating to Mark’s Hallmark in Roseville, located on Douglas Boulevard.
The gift shop known for its unique gifts for all seasons posted a large closure banner above its entrance in early July. At the time, Mark’s Hallmark sales associates Lena Khatcherian and Kathy Bordenkircher both confirmed that the store would be closing by the end of July.
Khatcherian and Bordenkircher said the store has a strong base of customers who return consistently, but that the store has been struggling since 2024, and particularly struggling since the closure of Macy’s in March, which resulted in lost foot traffic, Bordenkircher said.
Mark’s Hallmark specializes in unique seasonal and year-round gifts, gift wrap, greeting cards, and exclusive Keepsake Christmas ornaments.
Bordenkircher said the Hallmark store, in some form, has existed inside Sunrise Mall since the 1970s. First, as a camera store, and then as a store that sold both cameras and accessories, along with greeting cards and other unique gifts, before becoming just a Hallmark store. A second Hallmark store also resided in the mall but closed long ago, Bordenkircher said.
The store’s closure comes amid a legal battle between the Sunrise Mall and Citrus Heights, following the issuance of over half a million dollars in fire, health, and safety code violations against Sunrise Mall majority owner Namdar Realty Group. According to an email update from the city, none of the code violations have been addressed. A lawsuit was filed by the City of Citrus Heights against Namdar Realty on July 15, requesting repayment of fines and immediate abatement of numerous code violations, according to court documents.
Hallmark is the fourth store to close or relocate since mid-April, following The Sentinel’s annual assessment report of which stores still remain at Sunrise Mall.
Popular national chain Spencer’s closed its Sunrise Mall location on April 20. In mid-July, another store, Sam’s Jewelry, also closed and relocated business to Ron’s Jewelry. Both are operated by the same owner, according to employees. In late July, the Underground Clothing Connection, a store operated by the nonprofit Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team, also left their space.
