Sammantha Swanson DeJesus co-owns the Mully & Mo’s shop with her husband, Roberto DeJesus.

The name was inspired by their pets: puppy Mulligan — Mully for short — and cat Mr. Mosley, also called Mo. “We thought ‘Mully & Mo’s’ rolled off the tongue and stood out, and so when I suggested the name to my husband and he loved it, it was official,” Sammantha said.

After working as a teacher in Chicago, the Iron Mountain native said she was looking for a new direction when she returned to the community with her husband, who grew up in the Chicago area.

“My mom went to Green Bay awhile back and joked to me about how I should open a Hallmark store because she spoke to the employees there and they loved the entire Hallmark organization,” Sammantha said, “so, I looked into it, and really liked the idea of opening up my own shop in partnership with Hallmark.”

MULLY & MO’S, a store featuring Hallmark merchandise in downtown Iron Mountain, will have its grand opening Thursday at 427 S. Stephenson Ave. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

She said the business is known as a Hallmark “store within a store,” which means while “Hallmark” can’t be part of the name, they can carry a large inventory of Hallmark product and cards as well as participate in their promotions and accept Hallmark Gold Crown cards.

Though it’s her first time operating a store, Sammantha said her family has a strong background in business. Her paternal grandfather owned a hardware store in Republic. “My dad would always tell us stories of growing up working in the store, and I always loved hearing them,” she said. Her other grandfather, too, owns his own business in Crystal Falls where she would work during the summers.

Mully & Mo’s had a soft opening Sept. 25 but will have its official grand opening at 6 p.m. Thursday. To prepare, it will be closed today and Wednesday and open Tuesday afternoon only for card sales.

The store otherwise will operate10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

It offers home decor, Hallmark merchandise, farmhouse goods and “one-of-a-kind pieces from Michigan artists,” Sammantha said, adding, “We really wanted to have a unique ‘hometown experience’ when you walk in the door.”

Plus one that’s affordable. The majority of the items are priced less than $50, she said, explaining, “I also wanted to make my store a place where anyone could come in shop, not just one specific clientele.”

When looking for a location to rent, she said she “fell in love” just hearing about renovation plans for the downtown building, with its exposed brick and tin roof ceilings. Property owner Jesse Land “was really great about including me in the design process, and so together we were able to create a really beautiful space for a retail store that we’re incredibly proud of.”