Uptown Merchants Ready to Help Your Holiday Wishes Come True

November 14, 2007

By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY
Index-Journal Staff Writer

Greenwood, SC - Uptown Greenwood merchants are pulling out garlands, lights, ornaments, and holiday goodies, gettin ready to welcome you to this weekend's Holiday Open House.

The event, a long-standing tradition, organized by the Uptown Greenwood Development Coporation, gives people a chance to "shop 'til they drop," visit with friends and neighbors and get ready for the gift-giving season. Sammie Nasrollahi, of Rugs of Distinction, is board president of the Uptown Greenwood Development Corporation.

"It's a good weekend to get great ideas for gifts," Nasrollahi said.  "Many of the merchants have sales going on, too."

People can get everything from special picture frames to Christmas cards and decorations, as well as furnishings, clothing, food, gourmet coffees, jewelry, scrapbooking and stampin supplies, books, artwork, and more.

"It's really a family-friendly event, we encourage parents to bring their children," Nasrollahi said.  "There's something for all ages, from free carriage rides to stories with Santa."

If shopping's not your thing, Nassrollahi suggests checking out Uptown restaurant offerings, people watching, or enjoying the carolers.

Tony Wideman of T.W. Boon's restaurant said people should come hungry and eager to try food and drink specials at Uptown eateries.

Some establishments will have music as well, including Frankglens at 310 Main Street on Friday, and Uptown Sushi Bar and Cafe, 217 Waller Ave. on Saturday.

During the open house, retailers welcome people to browse for gift ideas, buy things and sample everything from gourmet hot chocolate and apple cider to sweets and homemade cheese balls.

The open house sparks friendly competition between merchants to see who can come up with the most festive window display.

"It's fun for us to compete with each other," Nasrollahi said.  "We check each other's windows and take this very seriously.  Every year, we try to do more than we did last year.

This year, Debra Case, of The Floral Case, is keeping everything under wraps until 7 PM Friday, when her window display will be unveiled.  Folks are also invited to attend an indoor tree lighting at the store, and reception there, too, in addition to the 6:30 PM lighting of the Uptown tree.

"People really do pay attention to the Uptown window displays," Case said.  "Keeping ours a secret is kind of like what the big New York stores do."

Inviting people to walk around Uptown and browse is a great way for merchants to connect with new customers, Nasrollahi said.

"Merchants also get ideas from customers about what they're looking for," Nasrollahi said.  "If customers want something special they don't see in the stores, we can get it in time for Christmas.  We want to deliver personal service, and get to know you by name."

Chip Tuner of H.H. Turner Jewelers, said, for hsi business, the open house is a time for 'wives to complete their wish lists and let husbands know exactly what they want for Christmas."

"We write it down so that there's no question about what someone wants," Turner said.  "It's a big looking and shopping weekend."

Lynn  Mathis, of Uptown Bath and Kitchen, said the store is "literally bursting" with gifts of all shapes, sizes and price ranges during the open house, and customers really look forward to sampling goodies from the store's "gourmet nook," Mathis said.

"It's a fun, festive weekend," Mathis said. "I love it."

Taylor Wilson, of Thayer's, said shoppers will find gift items that they won't "find in box stores."

Photographer jon holloway agreed.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to buy unique gifts for Christmas," holloway said, pointing out that his studio and gallery will be open and prints will be for sale, along with his wife's handcrafted jewelry.