Even though it’s evident that we’re in the middle of fall and Thanksgiving is days away, it’s still beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Alford’s Too.
Not to be confused with its namesake and anchor store, Alford’s Flowers and Gifts, Alford’s Too is all Christmas, all the time — at least until January.
Owner Trisha Ray said the store used what was the adjacent Signature/Japonica Galley as a warehouse to store furniture and to meet with brides.
Alford’s Too made its debut during the Pike County Chamber of Commerce’s recent Mistletoe & Magic event.
“We would get so many Christmas items in the store that it would be on top of each other,” Ray said.
She had the idea to move things around and create Alford’s Too.
Visitors entering Alford’s Flowers now see a sign announcing, “Christmas store next door.”
“We still have people who come to the store and look around at what we have and say, ‘But, y’all don’t have any Christmas in here.’ And, I tell them, ‘No, it’s next door,’ ” she said.
The store, which has only been open for two weeks, is becoming a big hit.
“We had these crystal trees during the open house and we sold all of them,” Ray said. “We also had some Christmas trees made out of metal and we sold all of them, too.”
Walking into Alford’s Too, it’s hard not to become nostalgic.
Christmas ornaments, bows, branches and frilly things adorn every tree in the store.
And the trees are decorated to coincide with the color of a particular room. In one room, it’s a rustic feel of golds and champagne colors, and cotton gives it an old-time feel.
In the next room, there are lots of reds and whites and, of course, Santa Claus. In the store’s entrance, there are blues, silvers, crystals and paintings on a chalkboard.
Another room has nutcrackers, nativity scenes, a metal tree and lights.
Yet another room is reminiscent of Christmases past, with heirloom-quality ornaments adorning the trees while wreaths and garland hang above.
Ray said free gift wrapping and the samples are still available at Alford’s Too.
“Everything we sell edible, we make it for samples,” she said.
She said the store is on a test run to see how people like it. So far, it’s been a good reception.
She said Alford’s Flowers and Gifts still offers gifts that can be used for more than just Christmas.
And for those looking for good Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sales, Alford’s is have a 20 percent off sale for both stores.
“There will also be a Christmas storewide sale in January,” she said.
Ray said after this Christmas season she will take a look at how the store did and choose whether to keep it seasonal and even do a Christmas in July sale.
