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Their specialty is helping you find just the right gift
Let’s be clear – Kean’s is not a “box” department store. No employee will hover over you, but you will be welcomed with a smile, and asked if you’re looking for something in particular. Within 17,000 square-feet of retail space, you can find everything from yesteryear’s candy (think Charleston Chews, taffy, Necco wafers, Good ‘n Plenty and chocolates of every variety) to fun socks, teething mittens and toys and games for every age.
It’s easy to spend a half day shopping at Kean’s. It’s a crafter’s and sewing paradise, with fabrics and quilting stock not likely found at other stores. Fabrics are sold by the yard or b
olt. For every season and reason, they carry a full line of Hallmark® cards, stationary, Keepsake® ornaments, and specialty clothing apparel for women. If you love Polish 
pottery, Vera Bradley™ handbags, Caldrea™ soaps, or Stonewall Kitchen™ jams, syrups, salsas or mustards, Kean’s has you covered.
Teresa and Steve Wren, third generation owners, have department heads for each specialty store area, all with 20 years’ experience, and 22 part-time employees, well-versed in all the product lines. All staff are cross-trained, and have the personal, service-oriented polish
that can’t be found in a big department store or over the Internet.
Every year in January, Teresa and her department leaders head to Atlanta to visit
showrooms and select inventory for the coming year. “We look for items other stores don’t carry, 
or a specialty item in which a customer has expressed an interest. Collectively, the staff does an annual inventory of what has sold well, and what items we need to discontinue. We want to be the store where you find the perfect gift that you have not found anywhere else.”
As an example, Teresa tells the story of a skating coach: “She found our ‘Notes to Self’ socks that have uplifting sayings to keep spirits high. ‘These are just perfect for my skaters!’ This is the type of unique item we try to find.”
Kean’s heads toward its 89th year in business in 2017. Founded by her great grandfather and grandmother, the store is Mason’s only continuously operating business. The store offers gift certificates and shipping for customer convenience.
Two independent craftswomen rent space from Kean’s. Nancy Thelen offers a sit ‘n sew session in Kean’s basement from 9 a.m. to p.m. on Friday for $7 a session. Margaret Ross,
a jewelry artisan, rents a small space from Kean’s to sell her unique line of patented
double-pierced earrings, pendants, rings and bracelets. Call 517-969-3074 to make sure Margaret is in.
“We take pride,” says Teresa, “in keeping up with current trends and listening when customers inquire if we carry a particular item. We take those requests seriously when we do our annual shopping buys. A delighted customer is one who tells friends, and that’s our best advertising.”
Keans’s
406 S. Jefferson, Mason
(517) 676-5144
www.keansstore.com
M-F: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10-6 (10-8 in December); 12-5 p.m. Sunday[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]