If there’s anything better than exploring a new shopping area, it has to be exploring that area with a couple of grandkids and their pretty Momma. This year instead of hitting the malls or Big Box retail establishments on Black Friday, we found the attractive and unique stores located primarily in the 200 block of Broad Street in downtown Rome, GA — the current home of our daughter Laura, her husband, and their children Nathan and Megan. With a similar plan to what I implemented with the grands who live in Franklin, TN in this post from July 1, 2015, Nathan and Megan were asked to visit 10 stores with me by going in, taking a good look around, and then choosing one or more of their favorite items in that place.
We started with a sweet treat for fortification and a lunch was promised to happy campers, but the eating places will be covered later. 🙂
Store #1 — Whistle Britches. This one is fairly new to downtown and has a jazzy, trendy vibe.
Whistle Britches fun for Megan
Whistle Britches – Nathan is very consistent with his orange and blue choices
Store #2 — Paula’s Boutique on Broad. Paula had a huge sale event going on, so people were lined up by the dozens when the doors opened.
Paula’s Boutique, my Silver Fox with Nathan
Paula’s Boutique with Megan
Store #3 — Elysium, Inc. What unique merchandise! According to one of the owners, everything sold in Elysium is handmade. Very special items.
Store #4 — Dogwood Books and Antiques. They advertise having more than 20,000 new, used and rare books. I could have spent hours there. Who knew there were so many authors from the state of Georgia? Here is a list of popular Georgia-born authors.
Dogwood Books, display of Georgia authors
Dogwood Books, another display of Georgia authors
Dogwood Books, mural
Dogwood Books, Megan’s choice
Dogwood Books, Nathan’s choice
Stores #5 and #6 — Riverside Gourmet and Bussey’s Flowers, Gifts, and Decor. These two are side by side and share display space.
Nathan headed straight to the candy display. He’s got quite a sweet tooth.
Bussey’s Flowers, Gifts and Decor
Riverside Gourmet
Store #7 — Pineapple Place. It is located about a block off of Broad St. on 3rd Avenue but definitely worth the slight detour. Their Christmas decorations were my favorites in the area.
Store #8 — Ginger’s Dollings and Cattywags. What a fun name for a store! Lots of toys, games, and, of course, dolls. It is on the opposite side of the street from stores 1-6.
Ginger’s Dollings and Carrywags
Store #9 — Campus Station Athletic Apparel. We decided to let Nathan and Granddaddy peruse all of the “guy stuff” in this one while the ladies went to the girlie store next door.
Campus Station Athletic Apparel
Store #10 — Abral’s Classy and Sassy. In addition to a wide selection of formal/party dresses, this store has fun accessories and a great place perfect for little girls to experiment with make-up and nail polish. Megan had a ball there.
Abral’s – Megan dreaming of the future
Abral’s Classy and Sassy
Stay tuned for some food pictures and suggestions in my next blog. Hmm. Hmm. Good.