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!

My wife and Carl forward today’s Daily Candy email, which features Squash Blossom’s selection of “Peacock Tights”.

Peacock Tights
What: Get a leg up on plumed calfwear while this weather decides what to do.
Why: It ain’t even April yet.
When: Mon., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Squash Blossom, 113 E. Court Sq., Decatur (404-373-1864).

My wife wonders whether Catherine and Lauren are daring enough to sport these around town.  Sounds like the gauntlet has been thrown!

Carl points to this note on Wordsmiths website…

I’ve pondered how to start this, but this is the best I can come up with. There is no great way to begin the end of a dream, and there is no gentle way to state that finality is upon you. That said, I regret to announce that, as of Monday, March 2nd, 2009, Wordsmiths Books will close its doors for good. I don’t do this willingly, and I would love to say that there were avenues of exploration yet to wander, possibilities that could avert this outcome, but that would be untruthful. I have explored every possibility open to me, but the sheer magnitude of the decline in sales alone (on the heels of our efforts to right the boat) from our current economic downturn has long since evaporated the fumes. Frankly put, there’s nothing left to make the engine go, and sitting on the side of the road with a thumb out doesn’t seem to earn you much grace as a business.

Read the full note here.

This is tough.  Not only to those that helped keep the operation afloat last fall during the controversial donations campaign, but for all the people that attended some great events at Wordsmiths on a weekly basis.  Best of luck to Zach, Russ and all the Wordsmiths crew!

Both Heliotrope and Greene’s Fine Foods were featured as great holiday spots on Fox5′s Good Day Atlanta yesterday.

Watch the slightly over-the-top Fox5 correspondent talk her way thru Heliotrope here and here.

And watch her drool over a variety of treats at Greene’s here and here.

Thanks to Marc at Heliotrope for alerting me!

Just a reminder:  Tonight is your last chance to take advantage of all the great Terrific Thursday deals around Decatur in 2008.

In addition to all the excellent discounts and events we’ve enjoyed every Thursday since November, Catherine over at The Decatur Minute lists the extra events going on this evening that make this the bestest Terrific Thursday of the entire season.

I hope Santa has a t-shirt for the DBA’s marshmallow roast at 7p on the Square.  Its darn right balmy outside!

Carl reported that Dresscodes was closing at the end of the year back in October.  And sure enough…

Big thanks to Kevin for fowarding the link!

Whit’s End is currently offering 20% off Tom’s Shoes to help the company reach its goal of giving 30,000 kids in Ethiopia free shoes this holiday season.

For each pair bought, Tom’s will give a pair of shoes to a child that needs them.

According to the Tom’s Shoes’ website, they’re  less than 10,000 away!

FM Fats points out that Mingei World Arts just won AccessAtlanta’s “Best of the Big A” award for “the best place to buy a gift for someone who has everything”.  Greater Decatur’s Eagle Eye Book Shop came in second.

Congrats to both shops!

Ann at Mingei World Arts sends out an announcement about Black Friday “doorbusters” at Mingei (featuring “items that never go on sale” and deals at other Church Street shops.

Mingei

FRIDAY MORNING ONLY- 9a-1p

20% OFF all Guatemalan bags and runners
25% OFF all kimonos and haori
20% OFF wool shawls
30% OFF medium and large Dewali oil lamps.

Hoopla – Great deals Friday on apparel, dolls, dollhouses and puzzles. 20% to 50% off!

Taste - 20% off all Georgia-made products. Great gifts!

UPDATE: Whits End sends in their Black Friday deals too!

Our sales specials for this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be 20% off all Columbia fleece, shirts, sweaters, jackets, and sweatshirts, and 10% off all other non-sale items in the store (excluding DHS Spirit Wear, and Photography).

Also on sale now at 20% off are all TOMS SHOES. (Remember, a child in need gets a free pair for each pair sold.) All Docker’s pants, and Patagonia Shoes are on sale. Some gifts and clothing are clearance priced, as are all Columbia shoes.

UPDATE II: The Decatur Minute has a bunch more!

Who else has Black Friday deals?  Let’s hear ‘em Decatur merchants!

Tommy writes in to announce that Heliotrope is celebrating its second birthday this Saturday, November 16th 15th from 6p-???

A few more details from The Decatur Minute:  “There will be a drawing at the door for discounts from 10-50% and a chance to win a $200 shopping spree. Also, they’ll be hosting local pianist and composer George Skaroulis, and Badda Bing is catering.”

Sounds fun!  I gotta stop in and get my snarky holiday greeting cards anyway!