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About Us
April 25, 2008
make after thirteen years but it had become clear that it was necessary. We were finding that "InKleined To Stamp"
was misleading to non-stampers about what we carried. Even though we have expanded our gift selection tourists
and locals alike were turning away from the store, assuming that all we carried were rubber stamps. In today's
economy it will take more than stamps to keep this place going. We can not continue turning potential customers
away because of the name. "Mélange" is French for "a mixture or medley", which is exactly what we have. That,
plus being located in a French town, made "Mélange" an ideal name for the business. However, we do want to assure
all of you stampers that we will continue to carry the stamps and supplies that you have come to expect here.
If you have not been here for a while your first reaction might be that there are not as many stamps. The front
of the store can be misleading due to an increase in gift items. We have rearranged the stamp area to make better
use of the space that we have. Things have been moved closer together and the walls are pretty much full from
top to bottom. Our full inventory still exists, as well as several new orders. If you take a walk to the back two-thirds
of the store you will find plenty of stamps. The stamp area of the store will still be referred to as "InKleined To Stamp".
Much like "InKleined To Stamp" used to be located within "The Craft Depot", now it will be located within "Mélange".
The change is in the overall name only. We are still dedicated to being primarily a rubber stamp store.
Staff:
Pauline Happel
Cathy Hermann
Connie Klein
Timeline
Spring 1995: InKleined To Stamp gets it's start in a small craft supply store called "Granny's Corner", located on Third Street. We start out with only three eighteen-inch shelves of stamps and a few stamp pads.
Fall 1995: Granny's Corner decides to go out of business. InKleined To Stamp moves and sets up shop within a local craft and gift store called The Craft Depot, located on Merchant Street.
May 1996: The Craft Depot decides to relocate...but not far. InKleined To Stamp goes along and we move just a few doors up the street to 123 Merchant Street.
April 1997: InKleined To Stamp quickly outgrows our small corner in the Depot. A larger storefront becomes available about a block away, still on Merchant Street. The Craft Depot graciously agrees to move once again, even though we have only been at the 123 address for a year.
May 1997: The Craft Depot and InKleined To Stamp open at our new address at 233 Merchant Street on May 1st.
April 1999: Water from a leaky roof caused major damage and the floor in the entire store needs to be replaced. That means emptying the store completely. We close on a Sunday evening and clear the store. A new floor is installed during the week, we move back in, and are ready to reopen the following Saturday.
April 2000: April 8 & 9, InKleined To Stamp celebrates our 5-year anniversary. First ever store-wide sale, refreshments, door prizes, and demos by Personal Stamp Exchange rep Deb Ratcliff.
May 2001: InKleined To Stamp is honored to host a very special guest artist. Kevin Nakagawa, internationally known owner and artist of Stampscapes rubber stamps, visits for an afternoon of demos and an evening workshop.
Spring 2002: InKleined To Stamp is named "Retailer-Of-The-Year, Under $100,000" by Rubber Stampin' Retailer Magazine. Rubber Stampin' Retailer is a trade publication for store owners. Each year they award two retailer awards, one for over $100,000 and one for under. The award is not based on the actual sales for a given year, but rather the percentage of the increase in sales from one year to the next. 2001 was a good year of growth for us, so our percentage of increase in sales from the year 2000 to 2001 was better than other stores our size.
March 2004: After fifteen years in business The Craft Depot decides to close it's doors. The last day of business is March 28.
April 2004: InKleined To Stamp is going solo! After nine years of being in business within another store, we go it alone in our fifth location. Oddly enough, we return to our previous home at 123 Merchant Street. Our first day open is April 3. We have also expanded to gift and souvenir items.
April 2005: We celebrate our 10th anniversary for two full days on April 23 & 24. The weekend-long party includes food, drink, door prizes, freebies, and a sale. We have two grand-prize winners. Jane Cottonaro, from Murphysboro, IL, takes home a gift basket full of stamping merchandise valued at $250. Patty Denton, from Crystal City, MO, wins a Girls' Night Out Bed & Breakfast package. Her package includes a one-night stay at Main Street Inn B & B with three friends and a private evening here for shopping, demos, make- and-takes, and snacks.
Spring 2006: InKleined To Stamp is, for the second time, named "Retailer-Of-The-Year, Under $100,000" by Rubber Stampin' Retailer Magazine. See Spring 2002, above, for a brief explanation of what this award is based on.
May 2006: As a thank you for the 2006 Retailer award, a "Customer Appreciation Weekend" is held on May 6 & 7. Everyone takes home a cello bag of free items, a door prize, and a special bag of M&Ms. The M&Ms are color-coordinated with the store in burgundy, dark green, gray, and white. Some candies are custom printed with "RETAILER 2006" and "THANK YOU!". Customers also draw for a 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% discount on their purchase and the chance at a second, larger door prize.
April 2008: InKleined To Stamp gets a name change. The gift inventory continues to grow but the name is a turn-off to non-stampers. While the stamp part of the store will still be referred to as "InKleined To Stamp" the overall name of the business changes to "Mélange". Due to the general slowing of the rubberstamping industry and the economy it will take more than stamps to stay in business. A name change is necessary to attract a broader range of customers.
Mélange
123 Merchant Street, Suite A
Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670
Phone: (573) 883-7919
Fax: (573) 883-2338
E-mail: pam@inkleinedtostamp.com