General Diaries To Close as Owner Retires

Mark Lebo has countless great memories from his approximately 45 years serving the promotional products industry through the family-run supplier he owns – Inwood, New York-based General Diaries.

Still, there’s an appropriate time for even good things to come to an end, and now is that time, Lebo told ASI Media. He’s retiring, and as he does, General Diaries will be closing. The firm noted that all in-house orders will be completed, with a final closing date scheduled for June 10.

“It’s really just time,” Lebo said. “Our customers have been fantastic, and we can’t thank them enough for their partnership and friendship.”

General Diaries has been in business for more than 50 years, specializing in planners and diaries.

Lebo’s father was the owner in the early days. After working at a Fortune 500 company for a while, Lebo joined the family business. It’s a decision he’d make again in a heartbeat.

“You make so many great relationships in this industry,” he told ASI Media. “We’ve loved supporting other small, family-run businesses through the years – that was really our niche. It’s also still a thrill to see all the different companies that have put their logo on our products.”

Lebo already has plans for post-promo life.

“I’ll be playing a lot more golf and traveling with my wife,” he said. “This industry has been good to us. We just want to say ‘thank you’ to everybody.”