TOWN PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER READY FOR HOLIDAYS

The day after Thanksgiving that marks the beginning of the big push toward Christmas is tomorrow. The many merchants at Town Plaza Shopping Center have been bustling -- shelves have been stocked with fine merchandise at reasonable prices.

Town Plaza has the gift items that are ideal for everyone on your shopping list. For business people, homemakers, gardeners, do-it-yourselfers, hobbyists and kids -- Town Plaza is the place to shop this holiday season.

Fashions for women and men, select clothing outfits for teens and toddlers, jewelry, hardware supplies, sporting equipment, shoes, flowers, gift items, books, VHS movies and music -- there is plenty of quality merchandise from which to choose.

Parking is ample and the stores are easy to locate. Friendly folks will greet you with pleasant smiles. And Town Plaza Shopping Center sports an attractive facade.

"Last year we renovated the front of the shopping center," said Virginia Wiedefeld, president of the Town Plaza Merchants Association. "The merchants have new, attention-getting signs."

The upgrade took several months and included resurfacing the parking lot and installing new exterior lighting. Two new shopping center signs were erected. Alongside William Street and Kingshighway, the signs are colorful -- bright yellow, red and blue.

Blue panels of aluminum were installed along the roof at the shopping center, and the store fronts received new coats of paint.

"The center has been spruced up a lot and we're very pleased with all the new businesses that have come in," said Wiedefeld. "We are centrally located and have a great niche of stores that offer a lot of merchandise and services."

Four stores are new to Town Plaza this year: National Cash Advance, Great Clips, Kenny Lee Jewelers and Sylvan Learning Center.

Wiedefeld emphasizes that most of the businesses in Town Plaza are family-owned and many of the stores have been there for more than 10 years.

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

The annual coloring contest starts Friday and runs until Dec. 14. There are four age groups and each winner will receive a bicycle. Pictures to color are available at merchants and in this section of today's newspaper.