By Courtney Clark
\nmail@floridanewsline.com<\/p>\n
The news broke on the morning of Jan. 11: After almost 30 years in business, the beloved Trudy\u2019s Hallmark store in Deerwood Village will be closing in February.<\/span><\/p>\n Owners Bill and Trudy Hehn became Hallmark store owners somewhat by happenstance. After Bill Hehn retired from the U.S. Navy following 21 years of service, they knew they wanted to work together somehow.<\/span><\/p>\n After moving to Jacksonville from South Florida in 1985, they spotted an ad: a Hallmark store was for sale in Neptune Beach. They took over the shop and over the years opened stores for their children and gift shops in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield building. Trudy\u2019s Hallmark at Southside and Baymeadows is the last remaining Hehn-owned Hallmark store.<\/span><\/p>\n Why, after all this time, is Trudy\u2019s closing? Quite simply, Bill Hehn is ready to retire \u2013 again. Trudy Hehn explained that the store’s lease was not renewed and the couple decided this would be a good time to retire and enjoy the rest of their lives with each other. <\/span><\/p>\n The closing is bittersweet after many successful years. Trudy Hehn was awarded with a Women in Business award, Franchisee of the Year, in 2006. It was at this point that she realized what a staple in the community Trudy\u2019s Hallmark had become.<\/span><\/p>\n When asked how she became successful, Trudy Hehn quoted Mother Teresa when she was asked how to promote world peace: \u201cGo home and love your family.\u201d This is the motto by which the Hehns live and work.<\/span><\/p>\n Trudy\u2019s Hallmark is known for far more than simple business. Members of the community visit Trudy\u2019s for what Trudy Hehn calls a \u201cHallmark Hug\u201d or just to say \u201chi.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Hehns\u2019 intentions have always stemmed from love. They consider their shop more of a ministry than a business. For example, when a customer purchases a sympathy card, the employees always take time to express their condolences with open arms. Customers find more than just greetings; they find new friendships.<\/span><\/p>\n This is what Trudy Hehn says she will miss the most \u2013 the depths of relationships with customers, employees and friends. She says she will miss talking to visitors one-on-one and sharing her ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n One of Trudy Hehn\u2019s best memories is when Beanie Babies were at their peak. Customers used to sleep outside the store waiting for Trudy\u2019s Hallmark to open. In true Hehn spirit, the proceeds from the sales were donated to a marriage crisis program, Retrouvaille. Although the Hehns will be retiring, their service with Retrouvaille, which has saved hundreds of marriages, will continue. <\/span><\/p>\n Trudy\u2019s Hallmark is scheduled to close on Feb. 25. In the meantime, the Hehns encourage visitors to stop by one last time to take advantage of their low sale prices, with some discounts as high as 70 percent.<\/span><\/p>\n And if there\u2019s one thing Trudy Hehn wants to say to the community she has helped for almost three decades, it\u2019s this: \u201cIt has been a blessing and a pleasure to be a part of your community. We will miss everyone and their special qualities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photos courtesy Trudy Hehn. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Courtney Clark mail@floridanewsline.com The news broke on the morning of Jan. 11: After almost 30 years in business, the beloved Trudy\u2019s Hallmark store in Deerwood Village will be closing in February.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":512,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-510","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-first-coast"},"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/span><\/em>Trudy’s Hallmark owners Trudy and Bill Hehn with store manager Penny Stuart. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n