By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff writer
Employees at Barbara’s Hallmark in Burlington got a Happy New Year’s greeting Jan. 2 that was anything but happy.
The owner of the store, Barbara Kaster, announced to her employees that the store was closed, effectively immediately.
One of those employees, who declined to be identified, said Kaster called to wish her Happy New Year – and then delivered the news.
“She pretty much said, ‘Happy New Year. Speaking of New Year’s, we’re making some changes,” the employee recounted. “’You don’t need to come into work anymore.’”
Kaster could not be reached for comment on Wednesday, and the phone line at the store went unanswered – with no message. The phone at the other store Kaster reportedly owns in Oak Creek was not answered either.
The Burlington store, in Fox River Plaza, still had its 50 percent off sale signs in the window, and a small “closed” sign in one of the two doors was the only indication of the news.
The employee said she had had inklings that something was going on, but had no idea that the store would be closed so quickly.
The closing leaves the store as the latest in a number of closings in the plaza. Last year both Blockbuster and Kmart closed, and the former Fashion Bug site has been open for more than a year as well.
Dunham’s, which opened last month, now occupies the former Pick ’n Save site.
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