East Texas Business

Staff and Wire Reports

The owner of Leewrights Hallmark in Tyler said the store will not sell same-sex-themed cards by Hallmark.

Earlier this month, Hallmark greeting card company announced it would begin making cards noting same-sex unions.

Company spokeswoman Sarah Gronberg Kolell said in published reports that the cards are an attempt by the company "to be as relevant as possible to as many people as we can."

The cards will never be seen on the shelves of Leewrights Hallmark, 4619 S. Broadway Ave., said Tammie Leewright, who owns the store with her husband, Bruce.

Mrs. Leewright said although the store carries the Hallmark name, the company does not have input on what merchandise it stocks.

"We will not be receiving same-sex cards period," she said. "Our customers would not like it."

Mrs. Leewright added that Hallmark would not be shipping the new cards to states that have not passed laws allowing same-sex marriages.

Texas has not passed a law granting same-sex unions.

The Associated Press reported that seven Hallmark stores in Idaho are also declining to carry the cards and Idaho Family Values Alliance Executive Director Bryan Fischer sent out a press release Thursday calling for local-area Hallmark stores not to carry the cards.

Avada Hearing Care Centers will offer free hearing screenings for grandparents during September, said Chris Czop, regional director.

Czop said grandparents can make reservations at any of the 12 East Texas locations or simply drop in. In Tyler, a center is located at 844 S. Fleishel.

The promotion coincides with the observance of Grandparents Day on Sept. 7.

Texas will see a slight decrease in Labor Day weekend travelers compared to last year, predicts AAA Texas.

About 2.55 million residents are expected to travel, down by about 1.1 percent compared to 2007. More than 85 percent, or 2.1 million people, are expected to go by car.

"Millions of Texans still plan to travel over the holiday, but high gas prices and a slower economy means more of them are taking trips closer to home," said Auto Club spokesman Dan Ronan.

Austin-base Guaranty Financial Group Tuesday announced that Kenneth Dubuque, president and CEO, will also serve as chairman of the board.

Board member Larry Temple was elected as Lead Director of Guaranty, a new position. Guaranty announced the election of James Unger to board and retirements of Kenneth Jastrow II, Leigh McAlister, Raul Romero and Bill Walker from board.

Southlake-based Travelocity said Tuesday to expect higher air travel costs this fall.

Its data shows fall airfares will be $40 higher than last year for domestic and international tickets, averaging $342 for domestic fares (up 14 percent) and $749 for international fares (up 5 percent).