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GREENSBORO -- The economy still may be down in the dumps. But you wouldn't know that judging from all the hustle and bustle at State Street Station, a shopping village featuring specialty shops, boutiques and restaurants.

Two stores have recently moved into bigger digs.

A coffee shop has been remodeled under new ownership. Another store moved to a new location. A massage therapy school just opened.

"We have a lot of growth right now, and yet, we have a lot of businesses that have been here a long time," said Mechelle Lindenberg, who recently moved her store, Mechelle's Resale, into a bigger space at 403 State St. "I'm excited," she said.

To celebrate, some merchants are having an open house Friday and Saturday.

That means beverages, sales and specials for shoppers.

Mechelle's Resale, for example, will mark down new merchandise by 20 percent and reduce the price of all jeans in half. Merchandise that is pink will be 30 percent off in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The store also will serve wine, chocolate and pink lemonade.

Friday's open house is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday's event is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Other participating businesses include:

* Eclectic By Nature, a metaphysical gift shop that moved into a larger store at 402 State St.

* Greensborough Coffee, formerly Carolina Coffee, was also remodeled under new ownership at 400 State St.

* Kneaded Energy School of Massage recently opened at 404 State St.

* State Street Center for Renewal, which provides services including therapeutic massages and acupuncture, renovated its business at 408 State St.

Call 373-0733 or 574-4496 for more information.

The open house comes as owner Alliance Commercial Properties has spent more than $200,000 sprucing up the shopping district in recent years.

It had been showing signs of age since undergoing a rebirth in 1983.

The shopping area has 32 stores spread out over nine buildings between Elm and Church streets.

In an era of big box stores, national restaurant chains, outlets and malls, merchants have a message they hope shoppers are hearing:

"Don't forget about us," said Scott Kutos, operations manager for Alliance Commercial Properties. "We're here. We're vibrant."

Stay tuned for even bigger changes.

Alliance has future plans -- on hold because of the economic downturn -- to spend $30 million to $40 million on revitalization efforts.

That includes adding more than 200 condominiums above street-front shopping.

So is the best yet to come for State Street Station? Stay tuned.

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Sample wine and hors d'oeuvres and check out the latest fashion accessories during a trunk show hosted by Simply Meg's at The Shops at Friendly Center.

The event is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 22.

Ten percent of the night's proceeds will be donated to the Greensboro nonprofit Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test.

For store owner Meg Strader, it's personal. Her mother is a breast cancer survivor.

The trunk show will be held by Ashley Westcott of Lush Designs and Lori Snyder of Lori Snyder Jewelry.

A sales rep from Liquid, Envi and Linq will also be on hand.

You can enter a drawing for a chance to win gift cards.

Gift bags featuring goodies from BCBG, Diane Von Furstenberg and 3 Dots will also be provided while supplies last.

The store is off West Friendly Avenue near P.F. Chang's restaurant.

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Save 20 percent on a jacket if you donate a gently used one at Great Outdoor Provision Co.

The deal is good until Monday at any of the seven N.C. stores, including those in Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

Donated coats benefit local rescue missions including the Greensboro Urban Ministry and Winston-Salem's Samaritan Ministries.

In 2008, customers donated 2,561 coats.

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Get more than $700 worth of discounts and offers on products and services for $30 as part of a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

The promotion is available at www.TheBigBundle.com until Thursday.

Items include a $20 coupon from Gap, a $50 certificate from Hotels.com, a $10 gift certificate from Shoebuy and a $25 gift certificate from Restaurant.com.

Net proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

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