Are You up to the Darlington Challenge?

Are you up to the Darlington challenge?

The Shop Darlington Challenge begins as the holiday gift-giving season heats up and Thanksgiving draws near.

All you need to do is to commit to purchase as close to 100% as possible of your holiday gifts in Darlington shops. You can even challenge your friends, church members, co-workers, and neighbors to see who can hit 100 or get closest to it. Are you up to the challenge?

“Finding good, unique gift items in town isn’t as impossible as people believe,” says Darlington Planning Director Lisa Chalian-Rock. “As a city, we have to get out of the mindset that we have to travel to Florence or Hartsville to fulfill our needs. We don’t.”

The city’s collection of antiques shops offer nostalgia and history, including furniture, coins, signs, books, jewelry, dinnerware, glassware, dolls, and other miscellaneous items you won’t find anywhere else. You can search through B&B Variety & Antiques, 703 Pearl St.; Treasure Key Market, 201 Pearl St.; TheJeweler’s Bench, 60 Public Square; and Scarlett’s Antiques, 500 E. Broad St.

For the handyman on your shopping list, fill a basket with found at local hardware or auto parts stores.

For the ladies who like to be pampered, check out one of the many hair and nail salons in town for gift certificates for pedicures, manicures, and haircuts. Beauty supplies can be picked up and put together in a gift bag or basket from Emanuel Beauty Supply, For U Beauty, Merle Norman, or other drug stores.

Clothing and accessories can be found at a number of retailers, including Adore Fashions, Annie’s Fashions, Bargain Stop, Citi Trends, Encore Resale Shop, Goody’s Department Store, Mirella’s, Raven’s Closet, and Roses Express. Many discount chains have these items as well. A lovely watch can be found at either of the city’s two jewelry stores on the Public Square: Main Street Jewelers or The Jeweler’s Bench.

For gadget lovers, stop by Radio Shackor Verizon at the U.S. 52 Bypass or Prescott Wireless on the Public Square.

For sports enthusiasts, stop by one of the few remaining sports collectibles markets in the region: All Star Sports Cards Plus, 114 Cashua St. The business offers cards, signed items, figurines, and more.

Several shops have items you wouldn’t expect too. Carolina Drug Store has an array of “As Seen on TV” items as well as figurines, costume jewelry, and cards. Darlington Office Supply has wonderfully fragrant candles as well as an assortment of learning toys, puzzles, and posters for the children – plus stickers and stationary. Bargain Stop has framed Clemson and Carolina prints in a variety of styles.The Park Florist, Flower Baskets by Becky, and Bella Domani all have an assortment of unique gift items including jewelry, ceramics, and monogrammed items.

And for those who want to stay in the know, get a gift subscription to The News & Press.

“Shopping locally is important. It fosters a connection with the community, keeps your neighbors working, and helps local businesses continue to provide retail opportunities for residents,” Chalian-Rock says.

Often the locally operated business has similar - or the same - items found at a far-off mall, so spending your money in town makes sense.

“You don’t have to travel, fight traffic, or spend extra on fueling your vehicle,” she says.

Supporting city shops will boost the community’s bottom line, not just retailers. Local businesses are vested in their community and support youth sports teams, local church and civic groups, and area school programs. When residents commit to support their town’s stores, those store owners can invest in their businesses with added inventory or even added employees if the commitment from the community is significant enough. Additionally, tax money collected from those businesses return to the county where the business is based, which funds infrastructure and development in the area, as well as through the wages of your friends and neighbors who staff those shops. Also, consumers won’t pay the extra 2-percent sales tax found in Florence County.

The Shop Darlington Challenge will be hosted online as a Facebook event, but even those without a Facebook connection can participate.

The Facebook page will feature gift ideas from city outlets – everything from stocking stuffers to high-end presents.

“We'll be featuring different unique gift ideas everyday from Nov. 24 until Christmas,” Chalian-Rock says.

While she plans to photograph and post items from as many shops as possible, you can give her a call at 398-4000 ext. 103 or email her at o have specific items at your business featured.