MOUNT VERNON — Herbie J’s restaurant at 120 Newark Road is closed.
The restaurant closed the day after Christmas, according to restaurant operator Sandy Joyner, who said she and her husband, Herbie Joyner, plan to relocate in a new location in the city within a matter of weeks. She said they plan to relocate possibly somewhere in the city’s downtown.
Joyner also said she wanted to let customers know that they will honor Herbie J’s gift certificates at the new location, and would not have sold them if not for an emergency situation that forced them to leave the building on Newark Road.
The restaurant closed amid a lease dispute between the Joyners and Dale Payne.
Payne, who owns and controls the lease, said he is almost 100 percent certain that a new Italian restaurant will be going into the building in February or March. He said the building is being renovated.
In other business news, a newly remodeled Kirlin’s Hallmark Gold Crown store will open Jan. 12 in a portion of the old Sam Goody store in the Gateway Center, the plaza where Staples is located. The current store at Knox Village Square will close on Jan. 8.
According to a news release from the company, the new location is set up according to Hallmark’s new store concept, which includes new features such as all new fixtures and a new color scheme. Products have been grouped in logical, easier-to-shop departments. The newly remodeled store will feature Hallmark cards and gifts, new song and sound cards that play popular songs, movie or TV clips, as well as Webkinz plush animals and Precious Moments, Willow Tree, Vera Bradley and Yankee Candle products.
Area residents can find more information about the local Kirlin’s Hallmark store at Kirlins.com.
Dean’s Jewelry, a Coshocton-based company, moved into the other portion of the old Sam Goody location and opened in December.
