Uptown to Get in the Spirit
November 13, 2008
By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY
Index-Journal staff writer
Greenwood, SC - Get in the holiday spirit early with the Uptown Greenwood Holiday Open House, Saturday and Sunday.
- Besides giving you a jump on shopping for gifts, the event is chock full of fun for all ages, including story time with Santa, crafts, carriage rides, caroling and a tree-lighting.
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- To get ready for the big event, Uptown merchants have been decking out their stores and windows with holiday decorations.
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| Debra Case of The Floral Case/The Tobacco Case, said she has seen the Uptown Greenwood Holiday Open House grow from a one-day shopping event with a tree-lighting ceremony to a weekend full of shopping and activities.
"I enjoy seeing all the people out and about in Uptown, having a good time, shopping, visiting and supporting our local merchants," Case said.
Uptown retailers, Case said, have a wide selection of gift items and many merchants offer services such as free gift wrapping and delivery.
Sandi McClain, owner of Sugar boutique on Waller Avenue, near Skin Essentials and Uptown Sushi Bar and Cafe, said she is excited to be participating in her first holiday open house Uptown.
The store staff has been busy decorating the boutique in pink decorations, in keeping with the boutique's signature pink-and-black color scheme.
"We're really wanting to go all out," McClain said, pointing out that shoppers can find totes for $50 or less from designer names such as Lilly Pulitzer and 30 percent off flirty fashions from up-and-coming Charleston designer LulaKate.
"We have a sale rack all the time now," McLain said. "Plus, we have tons of inventory right now, ranging from pea coats and tweed pants to holiday cocktail dresses and cable-knit sweaters."
While there, you might also sample some sugar cookies and coffee.
Sandy Smith of Two Old Bags Scrapbooking and Neat Stuff, said she's excited about the holiday open house this year because her store is having its first craft show.
"So many people who come to the store do crafts, but they have nowhere to show them," Smith said. "I wanted to give them a place to do that."
Smith has 25 vendors lined up, with crafts ranging from handmade dolls to jewelry, ornaments, purses, and even sand art.
Hospitality is a big part of the open house, with many merchants offering homemade goodies for folks to sample as they browse.
Indulge your senses at Skin Essentials Day Spa and Salon. Sip some warm, spiced cider. Eat some cookies, enjoy a seated chair massage, meet with nail technicians and register for door prizes.
With gift certificate purchases of $100 or more during the open house, your name will be registered in a drawing for a spa package.
"Shops in Uptown Greenwood have wonderful things you will not find anywhere else," said Contessa Miller, spa director. "Come in. Take a deep breath and get re-charged to enjoy the holiday season."
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 15, 2008
10 am - 6 pm - Shop the Secret Santa Shop, Bob and Hannah Poe's art exhibit, "Furror and Furrows," at the Arts Center at the Federal Building, 120 Main Street; Craft show with Two Old Bags and Friends, 204 Main Street; Shop uptown merchants and vote for your favorite entry in the Gingerbread House competition
11 am - Story time with Santa at the Federal Building, 120 Main Street
11 am - 3 pm - Photos with Santa by Angie Pearson of Memorie Makers Photography
11 am - 8 pm - Artist demonstrations at Meridian, 140 Maxwell Avenue
Noon - 5 pm - Pencil portraits by Denise Waldrep at Meridian
2 pm - "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at Greenwood Community Theatre, 110 Main Street
5 - 8 pm - Rock N' Roll Cruisers Holiday Cruise-In; Free carriage rides Uptown; Carols around the Uptown Christmas Tree
6:30 pm - Lighting of the Uptown Greenwood Christmas Tree
7 pm - "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at Greenwood Community Theatre, 110 Main Street
Sunday, November 16, 2008
1:30 - 5 pm - Shop Uptown merchants and vote for your favorite entry in the Gingerbread House competition; Free carriage rides Uptown; Visit with Santa at Jimary Java (Children visiting with Santa are invited to make out their holiday wish lists while they wait. They may share their lists with Santa right then and there, or they may place lists in Santa's special mailbox, for reading later.)
2 pm - "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at Greenwood Community Theatre, 110 Main Street
2 - 4 pm - Studios and gallery shop open at Meridian 140 Maxwell Avenue
2 - 5 pm - Secret Santa shop at the Arts Center at the Federal Building 120 Main Street
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