Decades Old Beaumont Gift Store Shutting Doors

A small business that's been in Beaumont for nearly 40 years will be closing its doors at the end of next month.

Amy's Fun & Fine Gifts— a Hallmark store up until 2010— has been operating in Beaumont for the last 36 years, 24 of which Jean Gooler has been the owner.

Gooler told Patch this week that she's shutting down shop at 1657 East 6th Street due to a steady decline in business, which began when the economy took a dive a few years back.

"Times are changing, and I'm just changing with them," she told Patch.

Gooler described how what once was a steady flow of traffic has now become a patron every now and then.  A few years ago she cut the size of her shop on 6th street and Highland Springs Avenue in half, but the savings in rent still isn't enough to keep her gift store open.

With several discount dollar stores now open in the Banning and Beaumont areas, Gooler said it's difficult to compete with the larger chain stores, and it's been upsetting to see many of her once-loyal customers start shopping there instead.

Gooler said she isn't going away for good, though, as she has plans to open up her store in downtown Palm Springs by May, where she believes she'll get much more foot traffic coming through her doors.

Though she can't yet disclose the exact location of her new shop, she said she looks forward to that new chapter in her business life— one that's much closer to where she lives in the Coachella Valley.

Through March 31, Gooler said much of the inventory at the Beaumont location is on sale for 50 to 80 percent off original prices, so she can clean house before relocating. 

Many greeting cards are being offered at a cost of two for $1, and Camille Beckman brand of lotions and creams are half off, she told Patch, while describing some of the sales.

Do you know of a business coming into town or leaving?  Let us know for our Sprouts & Shutters series, by emailing us.