Things Remembered: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Things Remembered was founded in 1967 under the name "Can Do" as a subsidiary of Cole National Corporation, the Cleveland-area conglomerate built by Joseph E. Cole that also owned optical and key-cutting businesses. Over the following decades the chain grew into the leading mall-based retailer of personalized gifts in North America, at one point operating more than 800 stores. In the late 1990s the company sharpened its focus on personalization and engraving, rebranding around the tagline "The Place for Personalized Gifts" and giving store associates the title of Gift Advisers.

Ownership changed hands repeatedly over the brand's history. Luxottica acquired parent Cole National in 2004 and spun off Things Remembered in 2006 to investment firms Bruckmann Rosser Sherrill and GB Merchant Partners in a transaction valued at 200 million dollars. Private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners bought the chain in 2012 for 295 million dollars. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2019, Things Remembered was acquired by giftware company Enesco, which continued to operate more than 170 retail locations along with the brand's online and business-to-business channels.

In December 2022, the company announced it would close all of its remaining retail locations, and in January 2023, 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. acquired the Things Remembered brand, continuing it as an e-commerce retailer specializing in personalized gifts, messaging, and engraving. Today the brand operates online rather than through mall storefronts, and roles associated with the brand generally sit within the broader 1-800-Flowers.com family of companies, spanning e-commerce operations, personalization and fulfillment, customer service, and corporate functions.

Company culture and employee programs: During its retail era, Things Remembered built its culture around gift-giving expertise and hands-on engraving craftsmanship, and its e-commerce continuation keeps personalization at the center of the brand. Roles connected to the brand today are typically posted through its parent company and may include customer service, production and engraving, fulfillment, marketing, and merchandising positions. Benefits vary by employer, role, and location, so candidates should confirm specifics during the hiring process for any position connected to the brand.

Yes. Employers in the retail and e-commerce industry, including the companies behind the Things Remembered brand, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they follow applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, background screening through a consumer reporting agency is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires written consent, proper disclosures, and adverse action procedures.

Employers in the retail and e-commerce gifts industry are generally reported to conduct background checks for many positions, and roles connected to the Things Remembered brand under its parent company may include screening as part of hiring. This is consistent with standard practice for employers whose staff handle customer payment data, warehouse inventory, or corporate systems. The specific scope of any background check may vary by role, employer entity, and location, so candidates should review the disclosure documents they receive.

Because the brand now operates as an e-commerce business within the 1-800-Flowers.com family of companies, hiring for brand-related roles typically follows the parent company's process. Candidates generally apply online, complete a phone or virtual screening, and interview with hiring managers for the relevant team, such as customer service, fulfillment, or marketing. Candidates who receive a conditional offer are usually asked to consent to a background check before a start date is confirmed.

Turnaround time depends on the searches ordered, the responsiveness of courts and agencies, and how many jurisdictions appear in a candidate's history. Many background checks are completed within a few business days, while reports involving county courthouse research in multiple locations can take longer. Candidates can learn more by reviewing background check turnaround times.

The employer determines which searches to include. For roles connected to an e-commerce and personalized gifts brand like Things Remembered, a background check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should review the disclosure and consent forms they receive to understand which searches apply to their specific role.

Lookback periods depend on the type of search and the laws of the state where the candidate lives or works. Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies generally cannot report most negative information older than seven years, though criminal convictions can often be reported further back under federal law, with exceptions for certain higher-salary positions. Some states apply stricter limits, so different searches within the same report may carry different lookback windows.

Neither the Things Remembered brand nor its parent company publishes a detailed public policy on hiring candidates with felony records, and decisions of this kind are typically made on a case-by-case basis. Employers commonly weigh the nature and severity of the offense, how much time has passed, and the duties of the role. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when employers can ask about criminal history. Candidates with records are encouraged to answer application questions honestly and be prepared to provide context if asked.

Candidates will typically be asked to provide written consent before a background check begins, usually through a standalone disclosure and authorization form. Applicants should be prepared to supply accurate personal information, including full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address history. Accurate details help ensure searches cover the correct jurisdictions and can prevent delays in the hiring timeline.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Employers must obtain written consent before ordering a report, and if they intend to take adverse action based on the results, they must provide the candidate a copy of the report and a summary of rights, along with an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision. For a deeper overview, read this introduction to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Things Remembered's parent company may see and helps you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with recruiters, hiring managers, or potential employers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal. Or, visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.