July 1955 – Summer 1959
LOCATION
Main Street USA – Gibson Greeting Cards lucked into one of the best locations on Main Street. The shop faced the inner courtyard created by the center street crossing, halfway down the eastern side. Today, Disney Clothiers Ltd. occupies this space.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Merchandise – Greeting cards, postcards, and other paper souvenirs
- Unique Features – Corner Marquee noting the company was established c. 1850
Main Street shops in the 50s continued the theming of classic Americana. And an old-fashioned greeting card shop made the perfect fit. Gibson Greeting Cards was an opening day original, selling greeting cards visitors could mail back to loved ones from inside the park.
CLOSURE
By 1959, Disney’s partnership with the Gibson Art Company had come to an end. Hallmark moved in, so Main Street kept its greeting card shop at the center of the street. The shop closed for re-theming in 1959, and opened again as the Hallmark Card Shop in 1960.
TRIVIA
The Gibson Art Company sponsored the shop for its entire run.
Disney legend John Hench designed the shop.
It’s so interesting that a greeting card was a great souvenir back then. Now things have to be fancy for people to like them. I think the idea of mailing a special loved one a greeting card from the park would have been so super special back in that time.
I completely agree. I think sometimes we take the simple stuff for granted!
I love this little tidbit of Disney History!