Quirky Beeps shop in Nob Hill to close its doors for good next month
Mary Reed will miss her peeps at Beeps, but the time has come for a new chapter, says the veteran retailer, who spent 32 years running a store with one-of-a-kind items at 3500 Central SE.
It’s been bittersweet since word went out that the doors of the business will close for good in early February.
“Grown men have broken down in tears,” when they heard she’s closing the shop, said Reed, 70, who says she’s had a good, long run in Nob Hill. The business succeeded because she had a dedicated group of loyal, return clients and longtime employees.
“Even when Central was all torn up (during ART construction), they came through,” Reed said of her diverse clientele. “It was quite a compliment to me.”
Reed prided herself on selling distinctive products. She carried very little Southwest-oriented/ tourist-themed items like the ubiquitous kokopelli; instead, she stocked novelty items, funny greeting cards, gag gifts, art, jewelry and more. It was a combination of the quirky and items you can use in your everyday life, Reed said in her distinctive Louisiana drawl.
Cards, many of them offbeat and quite racy, were big sellers. “They are so far from Hallmark, it’s not even funny,” Reed said.
“Now everything must go,” declared the business owner, who said she’s throwing in the towel while sales are still strong and she can enjoy traveling (one recent trip was to the Galapagos Islands), visiting family, volunteering with her beloved animal aid organizations and just “slowing it down a little bit.” Merchandise is marked down by 40 percent to 50 percent and more until Beeps ceases business on Feb. 5.
Blake’s to open 2 new stores
Lotsa activity will be underway at Lotaburger over the next 30 days when two new eateries will open.
Albuquerque will take it into green chile overdrive in February when Blake’s Lotaburger launches its 76th location at 1640 Gibson SE. Expect a line. “It seemed like a natural place to move,” Lucy Rosen said, referring to the large contingent of UNM students living nearby in several apartment complexes in the area. An opening day announcement for the Gibson location is pending.
“This new store on Gibson is more of a fast casual/upscale design than our iconic white cinderblock or our refreshed stores you see around town,” said Lucy Rosen, Blake’s director of marketing. “This is a brand-new build,” she said of the new business that was previously an empty lot.
Not to be overlooked, Tucson will get its third Blake’s on Jan. 26. Customers there have been flipping for Blake’s signature burgers, breakfast burritos and seasoned fries.
The New Mexico chain is staking its claim in Tucson’s foothills area, a high-growth neighborhood where there is a large hospital and new residential construction, Rosen said.
Blake’s, which was founded in 1952, now does business in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.
Here’s the scoop ...
Las Estancias shopping center in Southwest Albuquerque has a gotten a little sweeter.
A Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop, with its signature 31 flavors, is one of the newest tenants at the center. The business at 3715 Las Estancias Way SW #104 is owned by franchisee Crystal Medina.The store employs 13 people and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
Those seeking a cold treat on the West Side should be advised that Rollin’ Dash Ice Cream will soon be purveying its unique take on the classic dessert at Cottonwood Mall. It’s described as “an all-natural-ingredient ice cream being rolled as you wait.”