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GREENSBORO — ABC stores sell just the hard stuff. No cocktail mixes or tonic water.

That usually means getting back in the car and driving somewhere else, say a grocery store, to pick up your cocktail party essentials.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could just walk next door?

That, in a nutshell, was the thinking behind three couples' decision to open ...XYZ, a beverage supplies store next to — you guessed it — an ABC store.

The couples, friends who live on the same cul-de-sac in the Cardinal subdivision, came up with the idea after an ABC store recently opened on nearby Fleming Road.

"We thought it would be very convenient to come to a store like an ABC store, then walk next door to simply get all those things you might need," said co-owner Eric Stewart, 52.

Inside the store, shelves are filled with margarita, martini and shot glasses, flasks, cigars, various cocktail mixes, bartending books, bottle openers, dart boards, poker sets, olives and club soda.

The owners hope it will be the right mix for customers looking for a more convenient place to shop.

"If it catches on, we'd like to be able to find space near, well, to the right of every ABC store in North Carolina," said co-owner Amanda Swift, 36, a percussionist who also owns Swift Music Studios and Gate City Pet Sitters.

The store is owned by Swift and her husband, Tim; Stewart and his wife, Vicki; and Jackson and Katie Braswell.

It's at 2309 Fleming Road. Store hours are 10 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Check out a slide show about ...XYZ.

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A Web site helps you keep track of the dozens of fall consignment sales planned in the Triad.

ConsignmentMommies.com lists sales by churches, preschools and clubs. It also provides a social network for shoppers to view sales, share ratings, reviews, advice and articles.

You can search for consignment sales by ZIP code and view maps.

Check it out at www.consignmentmommies.com.

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If you're hoping to save some big bucks on dinnerware, you might want to mark your calendar for Replacements Ltd.'s fall sidewalk sale next weekend.

The world's largest supplier of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles is offering items for sale, some up to 90 percent off, at its Greensboro headquarters.

The sale runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Replacements is off Interstate 40/85 at Exit 132. It's at 1089 Knox Road in McLeansville.

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Orrell Design is thinking pink in October.

The salon in downtown Greensboro will offer free 30-minute massages to breast cancer survivors.

Or you can show your support by getting washable pink streaks applied to your hair for a $10 donation to breast cancer research.

Call 273-0025 for an appointment.

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Belk stores, including those in the Triad, are hosting a fall charity sale Nov. 7.

Customers who donate $5 get a ticket to the charity sale, which will take place from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The ticket entitles them to discounts of 15 to 50 percent.

Customers also get $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more. Belk cardholders also get double rewards points.

Participating local charities will sell tickets in advance.

Beginning Oct. 30, tickets may be bought at Belk. All donations will be equally divided among the participating charities and schools.

Customers also can register to win one of three $1,000 shopping sprees.

The semi-annual event has raised more than $14 million for participating nonprofits throughout the Southeast since it began in 2007.

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Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com