Shopping national brands is also shopping local

“Shop Local, Shop Small” has been a recurring theme this holiday shopping season. With all of the restrictions on business’ during this pandemic many are worried we will lose some of our favorite shops and restaurants before this pandemic is over. Many are encouraging shoppers to “Shop Local, Shop Small.”

A perfect example of this would be Elam’s Hallmark in Grossmont Center. Many think because it has the name Hallmark that this is just a national chain, however, this store is actually locally owned and locally run. The name “Hallmark” on the door is just their main vendor!

Hallmark is a great brand, with one of the largest creative teams in the U.S. They produce great, quality products like fashion, jewelry, puzzles, wine glasses, slippers, recordable story books, keepsake ornaments and of course the cards they are famous for. One can probably find a gift for every person on their list here. And although Hallmark is a national brand, make no mistake, this store is locally-owned and locally-run!

The Elam family is proud to be doing business here in East County for 45 years. They started with Elam’s Jewelry & Cosmetics in the La Mesa Fed Mart in the 1970’s. They moved onto Hallmark stores starting with their first in Spring Valley in 1979. Later they expanded into boutique specialty stores like Animals Galore, Mary’s Secret Garden and Home Décor & More. You can even find a small department of Mary’s Secret Garden in their Grossmont Center Hallmark store.

Today they run nine Hallmark stores in San Diego County and employ many of your friends or neighbors. So this holiday season, don’t overlook local-owned retailers that sell nationally-known products like Elam’s Hallmark in Grossmont Center when you decide to “Shop Small, Shop Local.”

— Scott Elam

Why so divisive?

Re: “Americans fire Trump, San Diegans hire Dems” [Volume 10, Issue 11 or www.bit.ly/2KefH7I]

Just had to write after reading the articles from the Republican Women vs. the Democratic Club.

I shouldn’t be surprised at the lack of class demonstrated by the views from the democratic side. Without expressing my political views, I would like to say that the lack of respect showed to this or any president is truly what is expected from the uneducated, ignorant, biased person who wrote this. Shame on him or her.

I am a La Mesa resident and saddened by the so called “peaceful protest” witnessed in May.

Our president loves his country, hates the division lauded by the opposition and has been treated terribly by the press.

He is not a sleazy politician who says what you want to hear but an honest individual who delivered his promises for the most part in the time alloted.

I am afraid for what is coming for this country with a man who is clearly a puppet for the democratic far left. He cannot put two sentences together (not his fault) but clear to me he has serious medical issues.

I pray every day for all of us to be able to deal with what is in store. Thanks for letting me respond to these ridiculous accusations.

— Sylvia Gulino, La Mesa