A local chain gift store is closing its doors.

Rontina of New York, Inc., owner of Tina’s Hallmark Shops has announced that four of its retail locations in Western New York will be closing by the end of February. The locations that are closing are the Walden Galleria in Buffalo, Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood, D&F Plaza in Dunkirk and Mid-Cities Plaza in North Tonawanda. The company’s other six locations in Western New York will remain in operation.

Ronald A. Cecchi, company president, stated that flat or declining sales over the last four years, combined with increasing costs from health care and minimum wage increases, and other operating costs have squeezed the profitability out of lower volume locations.

“We are extremely disappointed to have to do this and regret the impact this has on the excellent staffs that we have in these locations and to our loyal customers as well,” he said.

Local employees note the closures are all local and not across the country. Hallmark card shops are independently owned and operated.

The Walden Galleria location has already closed. The other three locations are expected to close by the end of February. Most merchandise in the stores is 30 to 60 percent off and merchandise is in the process of being transferred to the remaining locations.