news-record.com

GREENSBORO — LaKeyia Ingram has an admitted fetish for shoes.

So does her best friend, Shnee' Goines.

What to do?

Open a shoe store, of course.

"We both have a huge passion and fetish for shoes," says Ingram, 28. "And we're, like, 'Let's open a shoe store.' "

Ingram and Goines recently opened Virgo Soles Downtown (203 Southside Square; 691-8746).

It carries brand-name shoes, including those by Jessica Simpson, Luichiny, Coach and Two Lips.

Prices are $35 to $350.

The store sells accessories, including jewelry and handbags.

You also can have your shoes customized.

"If you need pearls on your shoes, we're able to do that for you," Ingram says.

By Ingram's estimation, more than 200 people attended their grand opening June 5.

Highlights included giveaways, cupcakes with pink icing and pink cotton candy martinis.

"It was a success," says Ingram, who also teaches business and computer science at Southwest Guilford Middle School. "We're so thrilled and so excited."

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Appointments can be made on Sunday and Monday.

Get more information about the store on its Facebook page.

You'll find it under the "favorite pages" section of my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bargainblog.

Athletic apparel sale

The Team Connection outlet store (615 Alton Place, High Point; 431-2551) is having its second annual warehouse sale.

Name-brand athletic apparel and sneakers will be up to 75 percent off retail prices during the sale, which is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Kids' activities and food vendors also are scheduled for Saturday.

State Street ladies' night

Enjoy wine and cheese, raffles, discounts, massages and more during State Street Station's ladies' night.

It's from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

State Street Station has specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants and galleries housed in refurbished 1920s buildings.

Free decorating seminar

Learn how to add a little sizzle to your summer entertaining during a free decorating seminar at Replacements Ltd. (1089 Knox Road, McLeansville).

Dubravka Vujinovic will show you how to use your tableware and other items to develop a unique decorating style.

The hour-long session begins at 3 p.m. on June 27.

Advance registration is requested because of limited space.

Contact the store at 697-3000, Ext. 2093, or dubravka. vujinovic@replacements.com.

Can't make it? Seminar highlights will be posted online at Replacements' YouTube channel.

Just search for Replacements Ltd.

Replacements carries the world's largest selection of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles.

The Pet Pantry expands deliveries to the Triad

Triangle-based The Pet Pantry recently expanded its animal food delivery service to the Triad.

Deliveries are free, although they require a minimum 15-pound order.

You do not have to be home when it's delivered.

The food is kept in a resealable plastic bag.

More information at feedyourpets.com.

Uptown Cheapskate opens new store

Uptown Cheapskate (2130 New Garden Road, Suite E; 617-7000), recently opened a new store in Winston-Salem.

The 5,000-square-foot store is at 3262 Silas Creek Parkway next to Hanes Mall. The number is 768-4500.

Uptown Cheapskate buys, sells and trades clothes for teens and young adults.

Extra Ingredient holding sidewalk sale June 26

The Extra Ingredient (801-D Friendly Center Road, Friendly Center, Greensboro; 299-9767) is having a sidewalk sale June 26.

Get discounts of at least 50 percent during the sale, which is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Extra Ingredient is an independently owned and operated kitchen and gourmet store.

Father's Day gift ideas

You're still trying to figure out what to get for Father's Day.

A sure bet in my book is gadgets. Dads love 'em.

WalletPop, an AOL consumer finance website, has a list of 30 great tech gift ideas.

Suggestions include getting him some smartphone apps such as RunKeeper (free version available) and GolfLink ($15).

Or get him the Freeloader Solar ($59.99), which lets him charge his gadgets without hunting down an outlet.

Read more at http://srph.it/c13sPA.

Sylvia's Outlet gets new clothing shipment

Sylvia's Outlet (4654 U.S. 29, Greensboro; 621-6466) is carrying two-piece scrubs outfits for the first time.

Rugs and shoes also have been restocked.

The store recently received clothes with sizes from extra small to 3X from designers including Denim & Co. and Susan Graver.

Most tops and pants are less than $15.

Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

New N&R online show

A reminder to tune to our weekly show about enjoying the good life on a budget with an eye on the Triad.

Bargain Sense includes segments from local savings experts on topics such as dining out on a budget, entertainment on the cheap, hot spots for frugal fashionistas and trimming grocery bills.

The show will include something for the guys, too.

New episodes are shown each Thursday at www.news-record.com.

Online map of yard sales

If you're hunting for bargains at yard sales, check out the online map I create each week to help you plan your route.

I post it online each Friday morning at my blog, Bargain Blog.

Become Web Savvy

Check out Bargain Blog at news-record.com for the latest retail news and deals. Also, sign up to become a fan of the blog's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bargainblog.

Subscribe to the free, weekly Bargain Sense e-newsletter, which has a new name, at www.news-record.com/bargains.

You can also sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog. 

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