Dexter Card Shop Seeks New Ownership

Carolyn Crawford has owned the on Main Street for 12 years. She is the only employee in the 1,200-square-foot store, except for occasional help she receives from her daughter and her niece.

And it is time to retire, she said.

"I want it to keep going," Crawford said. "I would like to wait until it sells."

Unfortunately, medical problems have made it a challenge for her to keep running the business.

Crawford, who previously worked for the St. Joseph Health System for 25 years, said she always wanted to run a Hallmark card store, and when the Dexter store went up for sale, she jumped on the opportunity.

"There was already a card shop lady before me," Crawford said. "She ran it for 25 years. It was very well-established."

In the 1930s, the card shop was a pharmacy and general store. The store has been at the same location for a century.

"I have a picture of the store with the sign on it from the 1930s," Crawford said. "It says 'drugs.' You don't hang a sign out like that in this day and age."

The Dexter Card Shop also sells office supplies, including ink cartridges, and provides fax and copy services.

"I think we're the only one in town who (offers fax and copy services)," Crawford said.

She said she also sells gifts and supplies with Michigan-based or local sources. The store carries locally made products such as chocolate bars from Mindo Chocolate Makers in Dexter, Saunders ice cream toppings and greeting cards made by two local photographers that feature photos of the community.

Selling office supplies is the store's main source of income, Crawford said.

"There are other days when I sell a lot of cards. It depends on the time of year," she said.

Crawford said she always thought she would leave the business to her daughter, Jennifer Derenthal, a restaurant manager for Victor's Restaurant in Ann Arbor.

"She's not ready to take over yet," Crawford said. "I thought at one point I would (leave it to her). But I thought I had another 10 years."

Derenthal said she understands her mother's urgency to retire.

"I would rather see my mom happy than having to worry about the shop," she said, adding that she has helped her mother on her days off by changing over window displays and helping with inventory.

Derenthal said she will miss the store when a new owner takes over.

"It was kind of cool to come through Dexter and know that that space was ours. It's something I will tell my kids," Derenthal said. "It's family history. I enjoyed the hard work Mom and I put into that store, and they can't take that away."

Crawford is looking for a new owner and has placed a sign on the shop's door asking interested people to inquire about it.

"My arthritis is real bad ... and that's the reason I want to retire," she said.

Crawford said that upon retirement, she plans to work, on a volunteer basis, with the Washtenaw Literacy Program, which teaches adults how to read.

"I've always wanted to do that," she said.

To inquire about the Dexter Card Shop, call 734-426-4991.