After 32 years, local craft shoppers and those with a sweet tooth will have to find a new place to shop because Ben Franklin Crafts will close its doors in September, said co-owner and Eureka resident Mary Hampel.
“I think it’s been a joy to see genera-tions experience our emporium of jars full of candy and aisles of toys and games and arts and crafts,” she said. “Grandmothers choosing the new patterns to embroider quilts for their next generation. The thou-sands of photos, achievements and art that we have custom-framed and will be displayed in homes and offices for years.”
Ben Franklin sells craft supplies, yarn, fabric, home decor, candy priced by the piece, sewing supplies, clothes, toys, greeting cards and beads.
Hampel said she is closing the store, 101 Hilltop Village Center Drive, because the lease is ending and due to the continu-ing impact on businesses from the novel coronavirus.
“I think COVID is a hardship for everyone and every type of business,” she said.
Hampel said she is going to miss dealing with her customers.
“The emotional part will be the interaction we have had with our loyal customers, who have always known to check us first before going anywhere else,” she said.
She said she and her husband and co-owner, Tom, are planning a new direction. “Ben Franklin has given us the op-portunity to be here in Eureka and serve our community in a positive way. As the world is changing, e-commerce is becoming more relevant,” she said. “So, my passion for art and desire to create and expand my knowledge creatively, in many types of medium, has come together seamlessly actually in my new companies.”
Hempel said she plans to devote more time toward her new companies, A Wear of Prayer and Quote Notes.
“It’s healing stone jewelry with art and quotes all tied up into one,” she said. “We’re excited about our future and we look forward to embracing the limitless potential.”
Hampel said she has had a trademark for Quote Notes for 15 years and her trademark for A Wear of Prayer for about a year and a half.
Eureka city clerk and director of eco-nomic development Julie Wood said the loss of the Ben Franklin store will be felt.
“I think everyone has a Ben Franklin story,” she said.
Ben Franklin originally was a national chain of five-and-dime variety stores, with Walmart founder Sam Walton getting his start in retailing by owning a store. The chain started to diversify by moving into craft stores. However, the chain declared bankruptcy in 1997 and the surviving stores, like the one in Eureka, have operated as franchisees.
Wood said she knows many local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts used to gather items from the store for projects. She said generations of Eureka religious families probably have many rosaries with beads from Ben Franklin.
“They will be greatly missed,” Wood said.
The Eureka store will sell off its stock and its fixtures, Hampel said, with the final day likely at the end of September.