Merchant’s Crossing Hallmark reopens quickly following crash
The Merchant’s Crossing Hallmark store reopened Saturday, just one full business day after a car crashed through the building.
The crash happened on Thursday, Feb. 9. As of Friday at noon, the store still had no phones or computers to sell merchandise, including those lines that run the register.
But friends, family, employees and local construction workers made the practically impossible happen, allowing the store to do business in time for one of its busiest times of the year – Valentine’s Day.
Owner Janele Krebs, through high emotion, was optimistic on Friday that with lots of help the store would be back open for business on Saturday, just in time for their second business-generating holiday of the year – Valentine’s Day.
According to Lee County Sheriff reports, the crash sent three to the hospital.
On Feb. 9, at 12:46 p.m., the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the center in North Fort Myers to investigate a report that a vehicle had crashed into the building.
Arriving deputies discovered a vehicle had crashed through the front window of the Hallmark Store and had traveled through the store and a wall adjoining a former hair salon before coming to a stop.
According to police, George Yurcevich, 68, of Greensburg, Pa., was driving his 2008 Ford Mustang north on the roadway in front of the Hallmark. His wife, Kathleen Yurcevich, 68, was a passenger.
The driver suffered a medical event which caused him to crash into the building, according to the LCSO.
Two women in the store were injured.
Nancy Mason of North Fort Myers, a clerk in the store, suffered a large laceration to her head and possible back injuries.
Marie Contrastano of North Fort Myers, a customer, suffered a laceration to her hand.
The driver was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital for evaluation.
Both women were transported to Lee Memorial Hospital to be treated for their injuries, which were described as non life-threatening.
The passenger was not injured, said Sheriff Office spokespersons.
There is a card on display at the store for anyone to sign for the injured staff member.
“Honestly, I still don’t know what happened,” Krebs said on Friday. “There was a loud noise and a lot of debris. I was knocked to the ground and when I got up there was dust everywhere.
“We’re just trying to stick together and get back open.”
Members of the community have expressed their support in hope that the local business will not suffer any financial impact, and they hope many will shop at the store for the holiday and other needs.
The store is at Merchants Crossing, 15201 N. Cleveland Ave. in North Fort Myers. The phone number is 995-7171.