Paula reports in a comment that the Decatur shop owned by Nelson Mandela’s former corrections minister, Pambili African Artworks, is moving out of it’s current location in the Artisan.

No word yet on where, but recently these “moving sales” have been a “move” to the virtual world.

UPDATE: Nope.  According to Carl, they’re only moving next door.

Why risk life and limb at the national chains tomorrow when you can score significant discounts, great customer service – and even free adult beverages – at Fab “Black” Friday in Decatur?

Catherine at The Decatur Minute has done all of the work compiling a smorgasbord of tomorrow’s discounts, so jump on over and check it out!

And just two heads up from yours truly.  First, if you want 25% off at Decatur clothing stores tomorrow, you’ll have to do some morning-ish shopping – 9a-1p.  And secondly, if you get the AJC, there are a bunch of 35% off coupons to Cooks Warehouse tucked into today’s paper.

Know of more Decatur deals for this long weekend?  Comment below!

Wondering why you’re feeling a little extra weight on your shoulders this morning?

It’s because Halloween is over and the “holiday” season has just begun!  Stores are stocking red and green and putting all their shiniest merchandise on the shelves.  That goes for Decatur too.

Over on the Minute, Lyn Menne seems resigned to the noise she will hear from residents as the city’s street decorations start to appear in very early November.

OK, go ahead and vent. Get it out of your system and then just relax and enjoy the beautiful site of holiday decorations in downtown Decatur. Yes, the holiday decorations are going up and yes it’s a bit earlier than we had scheduled. As we’ve explained before, we are a relatively small account for holiday decorating installers so we are given a window of opportunity and then see where we fall in their schedule.

And while some may complain as the “holiday season” dilutes itself by climbing further up the calendar towards the 4th of July each year, few will complain that with November starts the great Decatur tradition of “Terrific Thursdays” (click the the lovely banner at the top of the page for more details).  Stores are open late and offering big ol’ discounts starting tonight!  So get out there are do what the banner says!  “Shop Local. Shop Decatur.”

Full Disclosure: The banner above IS a paid advertisement.  However even if it wasn’t, I’d still be shouting the same thing, as is evidenced by countless posts in previous years!

Here’s the list of participating shops, according to the city’s website…

• Blue Moon – 418 Church St., 404-378-1114, 10 percent off the entire stor and 40 percent off select furniture.
• Decatur Yoga & Pilates – 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-377-4899, 10 percent off class cards, yoga wear discounts.
•  Eyeworks of Decatur – 335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-377-3937, 20 to 50 percent off select frames.
• Fabutique – 335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-377-6363, 40 to 50 percent off selected items.
• Fleet Feet Sports – 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-371-0208, sale on selected merchandise.
• Heliotrope – 248 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-371-0100, 50 to75 percent off select items.
• Kaleidoscope – 252 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-378-1214
• Little Shop of Stories – 133-A E. Court Sq., 404-373-6300, 20 to 50 percent off select books and toys.
• Mingei World Arts – 427 Church St., 404-371-0101, outdoor sals tables and a variety of specials.
• Opus Winds Classical Music – 308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-370-0507, selected items marked down from 10 to 50 percent.
• Salon Red – 119 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-377-3164, select items on sale July 3 and 5.
• Taste – 416 Church St., 404-370-1863, 10 to 50 percent off select items.
• Twist ‘n’ Scoot – 431-3 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-377-3333, 10 percent off accessories, and a free half helmet with scooter purchase on July 3 and 4.
•  Vivid Boutique – 133 E. Court Sq., 404-371-5181, get a free pair of earrings per $30 of regular-priced merchandise.
• Whit’s End – 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. #2, 404-377-3310, 10 percent off Columbia shorts and shirts, Patagonia shoes, Toms shoes and 20 percent off Dockers pants.

It’s the last Friday of the month, so that means it time for shopping and mixing your liquor during Fab Fridays on West Ponce!  And this weekend, an added bonus…a Staycation Sunday on Church Street!

I’m a little short on time, so I hope Catherine doesn’t mind that I pull straight from her Decatur Minute post. Even if she does, she’s all the way in Charleston this weekend, so I’m safe until Monday.

Friday: Fab Friday in WePo. Visit the shops along West Ponce de Leon Avenue for a special shopping experience. Participating shops include Boogaloos, Heliotrope, Sawicki’s, Kaleidoscope, Peggy’s Boutique, Nathalie’s Fish House, Tastings, Eviva, Fabutique, Cafe Cliche, Decatur CD and Whit’s End.

Sunday: Church Street Staycation, 1-4 p.m. The merchants of Church Street have planned a Sunday afternoon of summer fun packed with entertainment – kid activities, live music, street performers, cool treats, special discounts, trunk shows, artist demonstrations and door prizes. Participating shops include Mingei World Arts, Java Monkey, The Seen Gallery, Leon’s, Hoopla, and Taste.

The AsianCajuns report that Eviva, the trendy little shoe store in the 335 building, is closing this weekend and the closeout sale begins tomorrow.

If my wife, Catherine and Lauren, and cubalibre (who emailed me minutes after my wife told me it was posted on AC) are any indication, a fair number of people are going to be upset about this one.

Ann at Mingei World Arts forwards this announcement about the new “Staycation Sundays” taking place at merchants along Church Street one Sunday a month this summer.  Seen Gallery, Mingei, Taste, Leon’s, Hoopla, and Java Monkey make promises of things like free drinks, trunk shows, door prizes, and even a portrait artist.

To see all the details of who is offering what on June 28th, July 19th and August 9th from 1-4p, read the full release after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

If there was one holiday that was made for Whit’s End – or perhaps the other way around – it would be Father’s Day, which this year falls on June 21st (yes I had to look it up – sorry Pop!).

From the aforementioned men’s casual apparel shop down on WEPO…

Shop locally and conveniently at Decatur’s own Whit’s End this Father’s Day (Sunday June 21st) for high quality products from Columbia Sportswear, Kuhl, Prana, Levi-Strauss/Dockers, Patagonia Shoes, Toms Shoes, Jockey, City of Decatur, DHS Spirit Wear and others…..including the locally owned Decatur Dad and Yuckboy lines of tee shirts. Many items on sale!!! We have shirts, shoes, shorts, pants, and accessories with sizes from Small to XXL. 431-2 West Ponce de Leon Ave in downtown Decatur, with free parking. 404.377.3310, whitsenddecatur.com, whitsenddecatur@bellsouth.net

“The Chicks” at Kaleidoscope write in about plans to celebrate 8 years in business…

Friday night party! – 25% off everything in the store! For sales over $250- take 30% off the whole sale! That’s 25- 30% off lines like Custo Barcelona, Joe’s Jeans, Tulle, and more! There will be fabulous food from Cakes & Ale, Badda Bing, and Café Lilly. Signature Kaleidoscope Cocktails, Beer, and drinks will be there to facilitate the fun times as well!!! We’ll have flashback 80’s mixes all night to get down to.

The fun continues Saturday and Sunday with the storewide sale continuing with 20% off everything and 25% off purchases of $250 or more.

Big fans of both Heliotrope AND the Asian Cajuns!?   Have I gotta link for you!

Marc writes in with details about Heliotrope’s latest and greatest online venture with local celebs, the Asian Cajuns…

To check out the AsianCajuns’ Heliotrope selections, click here!