By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Kat’s Hallmark is giving away countless hugs to loyal customers as it prepares to close its doors before the end of the year.
Kathy and John Schupman, owners of Kat's Hallmark at 1003 Main St., announced the store will close Dec. 31. Kathy reflected on her move to Hays and on the store's evolution during the past decade.
"Where I'm at in life, it's time to balance family time and give to other events more so than my career," Kathy said.
Kat’s Hallmark will offer 75% off storewide and all cards priced at two for $1 through its final day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Kathy moved to Hays from Ohio after meeting her husband, John, a Hays native, at a pinochle tournament that brought her to northwest Kansas.
Kathy said the idea of opening a store organically grew from her passion for community involvement. Through years of working at the Kansas State Fair, she built relationships with vendors and discovered a strong market for locally made gift items.
Kathy asked John if they could open a store featuring Kansas-made products, marking the start of a new business venture. During that time, the Hallmark store operated in Big Creek Crossing Mall and Tebo Village before settling in downtown Hays in 2023.
"The dream always was community involvement. I just love that, and I love being around people," Kathy said.
The historic building, constructed in 1919, previously housed JCPenney, Jackie Creamer’s Dance Studio and TR’s Sportswear. Kathy said the closure also comes as she can no longer manage the store on her own.
"It has been difficult to keep a consistent full-time staff in the last few years. We've had wonderful employees, but ultimately they graduate, move on or get married. Good things like that," she said.
"When we're 20 years old, you can keep kicking on," John said. "But once you get older, money ain't worth it if you're not healthy to go another 20 years."
Kathy said the store always had strong support from loyal customers, many of whom traveled from across Kansas and beyond. She said news of the closure reached customers as far away as coastal states.
"We're getting cards from people in Missouri, New York, people who traveled to Denver and stopped here," she said. "They heard we're closing, so they've been writing cards and sending us stuff. That's just so priceless," Kathy said.
She said she plans to pursue a slower-paced career and spend more time with family and at the VFW, where she also serves on the Honor Guard. Kathy and John said many hugs have been shared with customers during the store's final days.
"We're so appreciative and thankful for the relationships, camaraderie, and for including us in their family. The experience really was a Hallmark moment in total," Kathy said.
Kathy said her faith was central to the creation and operation of the gift shop, shaping the store’s identity and the products it carried, including religious items not commonly found in larger corporate stores.
"We have a crucifix hanging up, and it's from the Holy Land. That's what kept us going. Faith and family were able to create this," she said.
You can follow Kat's Hallmark on Facebook for any more announcements.
