TOWN PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER GEARS UP FOR HOLIDAY SEASON

Two new colorful signs have been erected at Town Plaza Shopping Center as part of its renovation effort. The signs face William Street and Kingshighway.

It's coming up fast -- the weekend after Thanksgiving that marks the start of the big rush toward Christmas. The many merchants at Town Plaza Shopping Center have stocked their shelves with affordable quality merchandise.

Town Plaza has all the right gifts for everyone on your shopping list. For business people, homemakers, gardeners, mechanics, hobbyists and kids, Town Plaza is the place to be this holiday season.

Special clothing outfits for teens and toddlers, fashions for men and women, hardware supplies, sporting equipment, shoes, gift items, books and music -- there is plenty of everything from which to choose.

The parking is ample and the shops are easy to locate. You are sure to be greeted by friendly folks with pleasant smiles. And Town Plaza Shopping Center is giving itself a Christmas present this year -- it's getting a whole new look.

"We're putting a new facade on the buildings," said Virginia Wiedefeld, president of the Town Plaza Merchants Association. "And all the merchants will get new signs."

The renovations underway will not interfere with holiday shopping, although the lavish outdoor Christmas decorations that grace the center this time of year will not be up. Merchants, however, will have Christmas displays inside their businesses.

Town Plaza committed itself to a major upgrade last year when the parking lot was resurfaced and new exterior lighting installed. That upgrade continues. Recently, two new shopping center signs were erected. Alongside Kingshighway and William Street, the signs are colorful -- bright yellow, red and blue.

Blue panels of aluminum are being installed along the roof at the center, and the store fronts will receive new coats of paint.

"The center is doing very well and we're real pleased with all the new businesses that have come in," said Wiedefeld. "We have a good mix of stores."

Early next year the Merchants Association intends to have a grand celebration to note the new look and the new businesses that have opened there.

With Christmas fast approaching, Town Plaza is the scene of special activity. Starting tomorrow and continuing on every Saturday until Christmas, Santa will be at plaza strolling down the sidewalk and walking through the stores.

Tomorrow and Saturday a clown will be at Videos 'n' Creme blowing up balloons and doing face paintings.

A coloring contest will run until Christmas. There will be four age groups and each winner will receive a $50 coupon book of Town Plaza "dollars" to spend in participating stores.