Scott’s Hallmark closing two Rochester-area stores. Clearance sales underway

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Two of five Scott’s Hallmark stores in Monroe County will close for good next month.

The store in Irondequoit Plaza, 525 Titus Ave., Irondequoit, and the one in Panorama Plaza, 1601 Penfield Road, Penfield, are holding 30%-off going-out-of-business sales, owner Scott McNiven said.

McNiven, who has owned the Irondequoit store for 17 years and the Penfield store for 14 years, said a “multitude of things” led to the decision to close the locations, including rising overhead costs pushed ever higher by the coronavirus pandemic.

But, bottom line, “The performance of those stores was more marginal,” he said. “They did a good volume, but not enough to make it through the next five years.”

It’s unfortunate, he said, because, “We rebuilt those stores when we bought them. We put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into them.”

The remaining Scott’s Hallmark stores, which specialize in gifts, cards and stationery, are in Henrietta Plaza at 1100 Jefferson Road, Henrietta; Perinton Square Mall, 6720 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Perinton; and Wegmans Plaza, 950 Holt Road, Webster.

McNiven did not say how many workers would be affected by the closings but that he hopes to employ them at the remaining locations.

He expects that the Irondequoit and Penfield stores will close by late February, depending on how the clearance sales go.

McNiven bought his first Hallmark store in 1988 from his father. It was in the former Midtown Plaza.

As of Feb. 1, Crown Rewards cards, rewards certificates and coupons will not be accepted at the Irondequoit or Penfield stores (but will remain valid at the other three locations).

People planning to visit the two stores slated to close are asked to bring reusable bags for purchases, sales of which will be final.

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.

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Hallmark unveils its 2022 STAR TREK Storyteller Ornaments

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Hallmark reveals its 2022 Star Trek ornaments

Since 2020, Hallmark has been releasing ornaments based on characters from Star Trek’s Mirror Universe. It started with Captain Kirk in the sleeveless, gold shirt, Lt. Sulu with the knife at his waist, and Lt. Uhura in the red two piece and upper arm bracelet. The next year brought Mirror Spock with the goatee and Ensign Chekov with phaser in hand.

This year, Hallmark will complete the series with Scotty, looking dapper in red and gold, and Dr. McCoy, complete with grumpy facial expression. In a press release from Hallmark, Kevin Dilmore revealed that Scotty will be available in July of this year, but Dr. McCoy won’t be arriving until October.

More Star Trek items will be coming soon from Hallmark

Ornaments aren’t the only thing coming from Hallmark, according to Trekcore. Later on this year, we’ll see a classic Enterprise bridge viewscreen picture frame, a Judge Q “itty bitty” plush doll, and a Borg regeneration chamber phone stand. (You can see the pictures at Trekcore.) But if you’re on the lookout for merchandise now as Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, Hallmark has you covered on its PopMinded by Hallmark web store.

There is a Mirror Universe Uhura “itty bitty” plush doll for $7.99 along with a Mirror Universe Sulu, and one of the highlights of the store is a metal set of classic Star Trek bookends that retails for $39.99. One side has a part of Captain Kirk’s “Mirror” uniform while the other has his regular uniform.

Scroll on down while you’re there to see the itty bittys Star Trek: Voyager Captain Janeway Plush and Seven of Nine Plush Special Edition, Set of 2 for only $16.99 and the itty bittys Borg Picard Plush for only $7.99. These would be perfect gifts for your signficant other who is as invested in the franchise as you are!

‘Don’t Forget I Love You’ Hallmark Movie Premiere: Trailer, Synopsis, Cast

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Hallmark Channel is continuing its slate of new 2022 films with its newest entry in the “New Year, New Movies” lineup, “Don’t Forget I Love You,” starring Emilie Ullerup and Clayton James.

Fans will certainly recognize both stars, who have each been staples for Hallmark films in the past. Ullerup, who has starred as Bree O’Brien on “Chesapeake Shores,” is likely also familiar to fans for her roles in the Hallmark Channel films “Nature of Love,” “Winter Castle” and “With Love, Christmas.” They may also recognize her from the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries films “Christmas Bells are Ringing” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Home Again.”

As for James, fans likely recognize him most from his role as Kevin Townsend on “When Calls the Heart.” He also starred in the films “Right in Front of Me,” “The Last Bridesmaid” and “The Sweetest Heart.” He also starred in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film “Christmas on My Mind.”

So what can fans expect from this film? Let’s find out.

“It’s Taylor’s (Ullerup) 30th birthday and so far, it’s like any other day—which is just how she likes it—starting with an anti-anxiety exercise as she heads into work as the sole proprietor of Space to Live, a store that offers everything for organizational needs,” a synopsis reads. “The only thing different seems to be Josh (James), the cute single dad and new neighbor, who has moved in across the street and seems to be an unorganized mess.”

Things soon take an unexpected turn in Taylor’s life though as her birthday leads her to new adventure compliments of her late mother.

“When Taylor is gifted with a map, her uneventful birthday turns into a life-altering event when the map leads her to a buried time capsule,” the synopsis continues. “With the help of her dad (Richard Jones), Taylor opens the time capsule and discovers her late mother has left her six numbered envelopes with instructions to open them consecutively over the course of six weeks. Each contains a challenge for Taylor to complete that were designed by her mother to face her anxieties her mother knew that would hold her back.”

As Taylor works on the challenges, she gets some help from Josh, who has anxieties of his own to conquer—and both soon find themselves conquering the most unexpected challenge of all.

“Helping push Taylor to conquer her anxieties, Josh also harbors fears of his own—that he isn’t enough for his daughter—but what he didn’t bargain for are his feelings for Taylor, as he’s pulled into the excitement of the challenges,” the synopsis continues. “With each challenge she completes, Taylor expands her horizons and is given the nudge she needs in life to help her open her mind to the possibility of love.”

“Don’t Forget I Love You” premieres Saturday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. EST on Hallmark Channel.

Photo: Crown Media LLC/Courtesy Johnson Production Group/Luba Popovic

Every Season of ‘When Calls the Heart’ Is Coming to Hallmark Movies Now

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Hallmark is giving Hearties a reason to celebrate ahead of the When Calls the Heart Season 9 premiere. For the first time ever, every season of the popular period drama will be available on the network’s streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now.

Streaming ‘When Calls the Heart’ has been a challenge

Calling all #Hearties! For the FIRST time ever all #WhenCallsTheHeart seasons 1-8 will be available for streaming only on @HMNow this Feb! Share the ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pLOGVZFm8m — Hallmark Movies Now (@HMNow) January 20, 2022

When Calls the Heart premiered 2014. It quickly became one of the most popular shows on Hallmark Channel. But for fans who got hooked on the show in later seasons – or those who just want to revisit their favorite moments from the series – getting caught up hasn’t been easy.

At one point, the first few seasons of When Calls the Heart were available on Netflix. But the show left the streamer in early 2021. Nor is it on major subscription streaming services like Hulu or Prime Video. And only limited episodes have been made available on Hallmark Movies Now. Those who want to binge the whole show from the beginning have had to head to Amazon or iTunes to purchase episodes, or shell out for the DVDs.

‘When Calls the Heart’ streaming on Hallmark Movies Now in February

RELATED: ‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 9 Teaser: Is Nathan Getting a New Love Interest?

While streaming When Calls the Heart has been a challenge in the past, that’s all changing on Feb. 1. That’s when all eight seasons – 78 episodes in total, plus the Christmas specials – land on Hallmark Movies Now.

“Calling all #Hearties! For the FIRST time ever all #WhenCallsTheHeart seasons 1-8 will be available for streaming only on @HMNow this Feb!” read a Jan. 20 tweet from Hallmark Movies Now.

‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 9 premieres in March

After binging the first eight seasons of When Calls the Heart, Hearties can look forward to the show’s ninth season, which premieres Sunday, March 6.

“There are a lot more stories to tell this season and thanks to the talented writing staff, there will be more drama, adventure, and romance and we can’t wait for our fans to see what Hope Valley has in store,” series star Erin Krakow told Hallmark Channel when speaking of the upcoming episodes.

Teasers for the upcoming season – which will have 12 episodes – hint at some big changes in Hope Valley, including the departure of Jesse (Aren Buchholz) and Clara (Eva Bourne), the arrival of Mei Suo (Amanda Wong), and a contentious mayoral race. Plus, Elizabeth (Krakow) and Lucas’ (Chris McNally) relationship continues to evolve, and as she learns more about the man she loves, something about his past gives her pause when it comes to their future.

“I can’t wait for everyone to see our characters, Elizabeth and Lucas, together as a couple in the new season,” Krakow said in a sneak peek video for Hallmark Channel (via YouTube).

“It’s been a long time coming,” added McNally.

When Calls the Heart Season 9 premieres Sunday, March 6 at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel.

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RELATED: Kevin McGarry Reveals How His Character in ‘The Wedding Veil’ Is Different From Nathan on ‘When Calls the Heart’