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When it comes to last-minute the years. tain frame of mind. Last Wlenate Gefe Guide Belmont Banner » Mount Holly News ¢ Bessemer City Record ® Cherryville Eagle © Kings Mountain Herald » Cleveland Times Dec. 16 & 17,1998 Page 3 ; ) © © ) Popular gifts for the last minute shopper | By BROOKE BALL been open since 1941 and Fuller shops, rather than stick with - Staff Reporter said shopping has changed over one store, some still have a cer- A ' 1 Christmas shopping, it's usually men who are roaming store aisles trying to find just the right gift in just the nick of time. Betty Quick, who's managed Belmont's Belk store for 11 years, smilingly declared: "Most customers we see at the last minute are men. They don't plan ahead like women do and they're usually buying for (the) wife or girlfriend." A gift some men might con- sider during the holiday season is the gift of flowers. Marie Gantt, who manages Holly Florist in downtown Mount Holly, says the shop offers flow- er arrangements with at least three different holiday themes. The "Candy Cane Christmas Bouquet," for instance, is a burst of color that includes red carna- tions, balsam and candy canes. A "Season of Joy" arrange- ment boasts white roses, snap- dragons and freesia and the holiday arrangements can be sent "anywhere in the world," the manager related. Additionally, holiday wreaths and all sorts of seasonal ar- rangements have already been marked down to half price at Holly Florist. In nearby Belmont, BMX and freestyle (trick) bikes are big this year. Paul Bame, who owns and operates Paul's Belmont Bicycle Center, said 75 to 100 bi- ~ cycles are on layaway at his shop. While bike repairs keep business good throughout the year, Bame said, "as far as sales, (Christmas) is the biggest time." Over at Eckerd's in Mount Holly, small items are the big sellers. In the past; he explained, the Main Street store did big busi- ness in items like bicycles, tele- vision sets and small appliances that included irons and mixers. Small appliances and bikes are gone from the Mount Holly business now, since big stores “can sell cheaper than we can buy." But Fuller remembers a time when things were different, when bikes and such that weren't bought by customers were given away by the Fullers' dad on Christmas Eve. "What didn't sell,” Jim recalled, "we took to poor sec- tions (of town) and gave away..." Although such traditions fell away, the Mount Holly store still does a brisk business all year ‘round. At Christmastime, popular items include glider-rockers, re- cliners, brass lamps, pictures and curio cabinets. Curio cabinets were very popular last Christmas, Jim Fuller said, but things might change this year. "You can't pre- dict what the public is going to want," he remarked. One thing the public always wants is good prices, according to George Dixon, an 11-year em- ployee of Belmont's Belk who has spent some 50 years in the retail business. "Shoppers wait for sales more than they used to," Dixon com- mented. "It used to be we had sales once or twice a year. Now, (we have sales) about every - week." Dixon also observed that "Shoppers haven't changed that much,” Dixon noted. "(We) still have the bargain hunters and last -minute shoppers." Mrs. Quick, the Belmont Belk manager, said Belk associates do their best to help all cus- tomers, including the last- minute shoppers. For the last-minute male cus- tomer, she said, "We try to help with colors and sizes...usually, they don't know what they want. We ask them questions about the person and guide them to a good purchase.” Men often buy handbags and slippers for the ladies in their lives, the manager noted. Also popular, at least for now, is fleece. "Fleece tops are very popular this year," Mrs. Quick said. "We have fleece for the (entire) family." While men often wait until the last days before Christmas to make purchases, Ms. Quick said, "We see more women shoppers the day after Thanksgiving. They're the bar- gain shoppers after those Thanksgiving deals." And yet, there are deals all the way through the holiday season. At Belmont's Belk, for in- stance, "Super-Christmas" and "Santa Surprise" sales have been planned. But good prices aren't the on- ly advantage to shopping at Belmont's Belk, Mrs. Quick pointed out. "Being a downtown store," she said, "we're less hectic than a mall. We still have busy days and lines at the register on A as es — CHRISTMAS COLORS—Mrs. Betty Quick, manager of Belmont's Belk store, and George Dixon, Belk sales associate, display a holi- day vest in red, green and gold Christmas colors. Besides apparel, Belk offers dolls, candy, nativity scenes, needlepoint stockings, fra- i grance baskets and even musical aromatic candles during the holi- day gift-giving season. "you don't have the store loyal- weekends, but the lines aren't | URS. 9:30-5:30 1) Eckerd's manager Andy ty you used to have." Because as long and (it's) more re- [JEEERe A a ASH + = Pagoota said trinkets, jewelry shoppers have malls and many laxed....and parking is a big ia ro oh ; and cosmetic gift sets are popu- choices of where to shop, that's plus. Here, you can park close ! Li : ns lar with customers. And yes, he exactly what they do, the retail- and there's plenty of parking added, "most people come in at er indicated. space. That's a big advantage.” the last minute." Another change in retailing, Another advantage, accord- Jim Fuller, who co-owns Dixon commented, is that al- ing to long-time retailer George Mount Holly Furniture with his most all "soft goods" are im- Dixon, is a sales associate who : brother, Leo Fuller, also shared ported from overseas now. has a good attitude. "Treat cus- 3 mee SE Tm some Christmastime shopping Still, some things remain the tomers nice," Dixon declared. 5 if Ca Bed stories recently. same. While shoppers may "That comes with it. They have i nop Be Mount Holly Furniture has branch out to malls and other other places to go." Cr pl w/Frame Bedroo ro Full Queen r Dresser-Mirror, Door Chest, Design Headboard, Lite Green- Natural. Save $400 *99 *115 fT ST Se I AT SI ST Se Sa A Sa A Sas AY a A SY a PY 5 Stuff the Christmas Stocking with Maunsy Socks! ¢ 50% Off Sale! THE CO. STORE DISCOUNT SOCK MILL OUTLET MAUNEY HOSIERY MILLS, INC. Kings Mountain, N.C. Futon Bunk Bed } w/G" Futon Mattress Twin Headboar Se Ss 3 2" Metal 1/2 Price ‘10 2 OBOD 07 AYAWA Chevilie Mirror “Bunk Bed Twin iis ip Bed. Sleeps 3 12/6 solid Wood w/2 Mattresses 8 8 3 ea I Wei Bg : Holiday Hours: Nov. 30th thru Dec. 23rd 1/2 Off 4 Monday thru Friday 10am-5pm $ bri Directions: 1-85 onto Hwy. 74 Bus.: go 8/10 mile, cross R.R. Bridge. : a ; . At next light turn left on Cansler, go 3/10 mile, turn left on Elm St. one Ton 8 ofa Watetheds Day Bed £ block to parking lot at rear of mill. 2 w/o’ futon thattiess Sompinis re pane des BA I I I I Sa AO Se 169 $99
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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Dec. 17, 1998, edition 2
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