Hallmark Cards to close Topeka plant, cut 300 jobs

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Hallmark Cards Inc. says it's closing its Topeka plant and consolidating its operations at its two other Kansas plants.

The Kansas City, Mo.-based greeting card company said Tuesday about 1,300 people now work at the three plants. That number will fall to about 1,000 when the consolidation is finished by the end of next year.

About 500 people work at the Topeka plant, which produces greeting cards and envelopes. That production will be moved to Lawrence. Production of specialty items such as ribbons and stickers will move from Lawrence to Leavenworth.

Hallmark says workers will be offered buyouts as part of its efforts to cut costs and address what it called excess capacity in Kansas.

Hallmark's Topeka plant opened in 1943. The current building was completed in 1966.