Everybody Knows Your Name

You might recognize the theme from Cheer's....

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. 

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. 

Wouldn't you like to get away? 

Sometimes you want to go 

Where everybody knows your name, 

and they're always glad you came. 

You wanna be where you can see, 

our troubles are all the same 

You wanna be where everybody knows 

Your name. 

I'm a small town girl.  I like to know people.  I have come to realize I shop where there are people I know.  Be it big or little, I only buy things where people are nice to me.  I refuse to frequent stores where I'm just a customer.  I want to be a person first!  Now, y'all can go to them and buy up everything but I'll go back just 'cause I like the people who work there.

These are three stores I love:

 Henry's of Bollingbroke

I almost hate saying this aloud because it is mine.  It  is an antique/new things store that has various rooms run by different people who have tastes that are similar to mine.  I go there to browse, get ideas, and sometimes actually buy things for my house, or to wear, or books to read to the little girls.   "Henry's" let me look.  I wander the store clockwise and then I wander the store counter clockwise.  It's full of different things-- new, old, muted, bright-- they make shopping enjoyable.

After one of my friends chalk painted a piece of furniture and I wanted to try it.   The staff at Henry's talked me through the process.  It was so much fun.  They had the chalk paint, they encouraged me, laughed with me at my observations, and are so, so encouraging.  These people take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

For Mother's Day, they have a special gift wrap for gift certificates.

Can you think of anything better than a leopard sack with a gift certificate?  I don't think so.

Creter's

My Macon home away from home-- I love everything-- everything in this store.  Trollbeads.  Happy Everything plates!  Flags.  Cards!  Furniture!  Gifts.   Jewelry!  Dishes.  Baby clothes.  Baby gifts.  Lamps.  Christmas ornaments.  Seasonal decorations for my front porch.  Vera Bradley.  BUT, what I really love is their selection of Trollbeads.

I used to browse to calm myself down after a busy day at Central.  I loved looking at this display of beads and bracelets.  I was intregued and knew I wanted one.   My bracelet that started it all was my "good-bye Central, hello Pre-K" bracelet that they gave me the day of the dedication of the new high school.  Every bead on my bracelet means something.....it's a keepsake.   Bill and the kids get me Trollbeads to celebrate any and all occasions. Creter's has a great variety of beads, bracelet sizes, and clasps.  Think of it like designing a one-of -a kind memory--your bracelet can be any color(s) you want.  It can have a theme.  It can be one bead....it can be an armful of beads.  Believe me, it's as addictive as chocolate.  

Monograms.  'Nuff said.

Jack and Darcy's

Rachel Watts Phillips and her entire tribe (yes, everyone is there at one time or another--I love making the trip to just visit with this family) make Jack and Darcy's successful.  The flagship store is located in Milledgeville.  It is worth the drive if you have a "teen to ?" that needs an outfit that's affordable and in fashion.  The selection is fantastic and the prices are unbelievable.

I am excited about the Jack and Darcy's that's opening in Ingleside Village in early summer.  It will be so convenient to stop in and get a gift, an outfit, or just see what's happening.  Rachel did part of my Christmas shopping this year by just listening to what I needed-- and picking it out!  You need to go to their Facebook page (Jack and Darcy) to shop, too.  Somedays they have a deal for the day-- for example, this past week it was a limited quantity dress-- for $22.  No lie!  It wouldn't have fit me, but for that price, I could hang it in my closet and tell people that I bought a "small." This is the world of Internet shopping right in our own backyard.

The men's clothes are GQ.  Great quality, great prices....great style.

Rachel's taste is current and on top of trends.  I swear this woman had the chevrons happening a year before anyone else!  But, what I like is the laughter in the store.  I swear, Ruth Watts can make me laugh by just looking at me with her big brown eyes.  Dale Watts, Johnny Watts, Betsy Watts Powell....
family....they make you feel like family.

These three stores are the top of my list.  Visit them.  Know them.  Support them.  Oh, and notice, they're all locally grown!