This is always my least favorite news to report. My heart just breaks every time a local business closes. I would LOVE to see them get the miracle that allows them to stay open!! I have shopped here as long as I can remember.

Here is their update from their facebook page:

Dance Etc. and Characters Costume Shop
As I sit here typing this, my heart is breaking and the tears are flowing =( Unfortunately, I am going out of business. I want to thank everyone who has ever supported us….you are the reason its so hard to say goodbye. This has been my baby for many years now and I actually started working here as a teenager in 1992. Wow how the time flies. To all my dancers, many of which I have been the only person to fit there shoes since they were babies, all the new faces of little girls and boys who are so excited to get there first pair of dance shoes, my first time pointe shoe girls, all of which were excited to get them maybe not so much after wearing them (ha ha) thank you! To all my praise dancers and churches, thank you for all your support, God always knew when I needed to pay a light bill because He would send one of my groups in for a fitting! To all my costume customers, from Halloween to school functions to 70′s parties to murder mysteries, you made it fun and interesting. I can’t remember what you told me 5 minutes ago but I can remember what you wore last year!!! I am truly saddened by this and I believe in miracles, so if one happens over the next couple of days I will have a grand reopening sale but until then, I am having a going out of business sale where everything is 40% off. Our last day will be Tuesday, February 21st. Thanks for all the memories and support!!

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I am having a lovely “Staycation” today and this weekend.  I will tell you more about it on Monday.  The perfect way to have fun in town, entertain a guest, and save money?  Free concert at Florence after 5!  Will you be there?

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

Thanks to Joy McKnight for advertising with me this month! If you don’t know Joy, she is a stylist at Shear Madness. This month if you mention “Flossip” to her you will get 20% off of your services! That is a great deal! Thanks Joy!

3203 W Palmetto St # L
Florence, SC 29501-5900
(843) 667-3636

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I was browsing facebook earlier when I saw some pictures from the “Unique Boutique” in my news stream.

They have made their facebook page easy to navigate, with pictures of their jewelry currently for sale. They are located in Florence.

I really like these earrings:

and I love this necklace:

Their prices are amazingly reasonable, I almost want to keep them all to myself!

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I need warm weather, easter dresses, to see white sandals on my daughter’s feet. I need to see my azaleas bloom (oh, need to trim them back, did we miss that?), I need to hear birds chirping… I NEED SPRING. February is my least favorite month and here it is right upon us. Yuck.

Heyward and Hanna did post some pretty pictures on facebook today.

I really love this:

though I do like the more traditional as well:

At least I can sit here and dream of being a) warm b) rich and c) really skinny. Sigh.

(Tomorrow is the last day to enter the contest for free advertising for business owners!)
2001 Hoffmeyer Rd, Suite C.
Florence, South Carolina 29501
phone: 843-656-0399
fax: 843-656-0398

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I didn’t actually eat there, but I did go shopping on my lunch break. They have many great deals right now!  The Costas are not discounted, but are priced reasonably.  I thought about getting a pair for Mr. Flossip for his birthday.  (This is a test to see if he is reading like he should be.)  You can check out their website too.

All kinds of sales:

Not on sale, but does your daughter need these for the Jason Aldean concert?

Merrells for Kids– BEST SHOES FOR KIDS EVER.  Usually $50.00 at Amazon, et al… they have some great prices on the few sizes they have left.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I love Phil Nofal’s. It is such a nice shoe store and yet I can almost always find something within my budget. I also like not fighting mobs of people at a large department store to get one hapless salesperson to get a pair from the back…and you know you have to ask for every pair you may want at once or you will never get another chance.

I also want this ferocious watchdog that is guarding the shoes. He stole a little piece of my heart.

1806 West Palmetto Street
Florence, SC 29501-4138
(843) 662-9781

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I know that it has been a burning question for you this Christmas season…”Where DOES Flossip shop in Florence, SC?” Mind you, no one on this list has given me anything to write this post (though if you do want to give me free stuff? I will happily accept it. Just remember it doesn’t guarantee a good review).

In all honesty, I have to confess that I do some shopping at Amazon. I like it when you shop on Amazon through my link, because then you are helping me which is a lot like helping out local businesses. (I can justify anything.) HOWEVER! I always, always try to shop local when possible. Here are a few of my favorite things:

First up is a new favorite: Pretty N’ Bliss. I did a review a while back, and I continue to return. I recently went when they were having some sort of customer appreciation day and they had all of this delicious food for the taking. It was wonderful. They are one of the best places for teacher and friend gifts.

I’m a big fan of the NY Butcher Shoppe. They are especially delightful during the holidays when I don’t always have the time or the inclination to prepare all the food I need to prepare. I can pick up something there and pretend like *I* made it myself. (Y’all know Flossip likes to cook, but I just don’t always have time.)

One word: Tomlinsons. What Christmas is complete without a trip to Tomlinsons? NONE, I tell you. I remember my mom counting down the days until they were open on Saturday for the Christmas season. I got some really cute Tervis tumblers there the other day for kid gifts. Every time I go in there I am reminded of this story from Christmas two years ago.

I have already made one trip to Porters Gift Shop and know I will go at least one more time. (Bonus: They wrap beautifully.)

For the men in my life I will head to Naturally Outdoors. I would say the women too, but the women I am gifting prefer non-outdoorsy activities. (Y’all all know its true!) I love both Naturally Outdoors and Bicycle World. I like that they can tell me what I need, what works best and I know they won’t steer me wrong.

For my kids the Toy Shop is always a hit. The owners are very kind and don’t stress when my children are playing in the aisles. They also wrap. I confess it is a little too easy to cruise up about 20 minutes before a birthday party, choose a gift, and have it wrapped like I totally planned ahead and put a lot of thought into it.

Another store that I really like and don’t think I have ever even mentioned is Goosie Ganders on Second Loop. They have some really beautiful items and a great selection of Christmas decor. The name makes me think of those country geese that people used to decorate with (mom, you know you had them!), but it is actually a very classy store.

Speaking of Christmas decor, Taylor Garden shop has a great selection. My mom and I usually make at least one trip out there (all the way out to Third Loop)together.

Butlers Fine Clothing is a great place to purchase for Mr. Flossip and my brother. If I were rich I would buy them each ten Southern Tide shirts for Christmas…but I’m not. It is the thought that counts, right?

I’m going to be the lucky recipient of some fascinating new things from Shaw Lumber Company in the next year. It’s funny how when you get to be old like me you think replacement windows and a new door are THE BEST GIFT EVER. I’d probably rather have a gift certificate from Palmetto Place Therapeutic Massage, but windows are forever (or at least guaranteed for thirty years and that is pretty good.)

To go along with the new windows and doors, you can give the gift of “honey do” and have Lee Burris install your pretty new gifts for you.

There are so many other things that I would like for myself… a gift certificate to Victors, a pretty necklace from Handpicked, a gift certificate to the Forum Spa, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

Clyde Padgett will be signing copies of his book The Camelboy Chronicles at Porter’s this Saturday (12/17) from 11am to 4pm. This is a great idea for a Christmas present and as I posted yesterday, the new Porter’s is lovely. You can definitely finish off your Christmas list quickly!

(Read later for links to my favorite places to buy Christmas gifts in Florence, SC!)

(Any link to Amazon is an affiliate link which means that I will get a portion of anything that you purchase. Thanks for shopping on Amazon through my link. There is also a search box in the sidebar.)

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

I support shopping locally ALWAYS, but especially at the Holidays. I believe in giving to companies that give back to the community– that live here, work here, and want Florence to truly succeed. As I was browsing facebook, I noticed that one of my readers works at Shaw Lumber Company so I took the opportunity to learn more about the business. I loved getting more insight into a business I pass frequently. (Let me know if you are willing to be interviewed for your local business.)

When did Shaw Lumber first open?
Shaw Lumber opend its doors in 1936, despite the Depression.

Who opened it?
It was founded by D.C Shaw Sr.(my namesake and godfather), at his brothers encouragement after having opened a building supply in Sumter. Although they share the same name, the Shaw Lumber Company of Sumter and Florence are 2 completely different and seperate businesses.

What is the family connection now?
After Mr. Shaw died in 1986, his son David Shaw continued the business until his retirement in 2000. My dad Alex Thompson and his partner Jim Hyman, both longtime employess of the company bought the business, but never dreamed of changing the name. The only “Shaw” left at the company is me, and it’s my first name, not last.

What all do you sell?
We sell practically everything you need to build and remodel house except HVAC, paint and appliances. We sell treated lumber for decks, 2x4s through 2×12 framing lumber, mouldings, sheetrock, you name it. We also will measure your existing home for vinyl replacement windows, sell them to you and get them installed. Its almost easier to tell you what we DON”T sell in the building business. And we deliver locally for free – always.

Has the economy had an impact on your business?
The housing industry is just as bad as you read in the papers and on the internet. In some ways it is worse here in the Southeast, because we had such a large peak in the housing industry in 2004and 2005. Naturally we are now having a large correction, but we hope recovery is in the near future. In order to weather the storm, we have of course had layoffs and retirements – but we are ready to call folks back and expand just as soon as the market demands it. We are very thankful for loyal customers who have made adjustments to their building and have been the lifeblood of our business in a down market.

Where do you see Shaw Lumber Company in 5 years? 15 years?
5 Years: Leading the way in a recovered housing market with trusted builders and homeowners in our community.
15 years: Serving new and existing homeowners and builders in the rebuilt and revitalized downtown area of Florence.

What is your favorite thing about working there?
We are a family business – My brother Timmy and I are the 3rd generation of our family to work here, and we treat our coworkers, customers and employees as “extended family”. I love going to work everyday with my father, brother, and a team of people united in a common goal.

Tell me about the camaraderie of the employees working there.
As I said, we are a family business, and that extends beyond ownership. Mr. Shaw believed in hiring well and taking care of your employees so that they could care for their families. Until recently, we have had very little turnover in our workforce and would not have had what we did were it not for changes in the economy, retirements and resignations. We’re very proud of our “tight-knit, get things done” team of employees.

What is your favorite thing about Florence?
The people who make it home. I’m a native Florentine who lived elsewhere for 7 years. My wife and I moved back home to be a part of the business, the thriving music and theatre community, and to be close to our families – the ones we were born into and the family we choose: our friends.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally owned businesses?
It sounds simple, but when you buy locally, the money comes back to you. Locally owned businesses invests your money back in jobs, taxes, and expansion that benefits us all. Why spend your money to benefit someone who lives somewhere else? And even if you pay a little more, at least you know you are helping to secure our own community for the future.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.