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GREENSBORO — Several downtown stores are hosting a “shop hop” this week.

Mechelle’s, Hints Downtown, Design Archives Vintage & Emporium, Just Be, and Jules Antiques and Fine Art will be offering 10 percent to 50 percent discounts, refreshments and a free drawing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Smith store closes

A store bearing the name Smith might be familiar to many longtime Greensboro residents.

That’s because the home furnishings retailer had been around since the 1950s.

That legacy has ended.

Ruth and David Messmer, owners of Smith Beautiful Living, closed the store this past week.

They cited an inability to negotiate a lease agreement with the landlord in deciding to close the store at the Village at North Elm shopping center.

“Today, the shocking and heartbreaking news is that Smith is effectively closed,” according to a message the Messmers posted on the store’s website. “The closing still seems unreal, with a store full of beautiful merchandise, so many steadfast customers, and the all-important Christmas season on its way.”

Ten Thousand Villages

Save 20 percent off anything you can fit into a large shopping bag at Ten Thousand Villages ( 1564-A Highwoods Blvd., Greensboro; 275-1204) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The store features fair trade international gifts including artisan-crafted home decor, accessories and gifts from around the world.

Crossroads Consignments

Prices on a variety of furniture have been marked down at Crossroads Consignments ( 2205-X Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge; 644-1906)

An antique Victorian iron twin bed is now $225.

Solid maple Windsor chairs, made in Pennsylvania, are $110, or six for $600.

An antique Victorian settee sofa bench made of solid mahogany, circa late 1800s, is $325.

New bar stools with upholstered seats are $75 each or three for $180.

They were for sale as of my column deadline, so check with the store first regarding availability.

Cornerstone Garden

Cornerstone Garden and Fashion Boutique ( 414-B State St., Greensboro; 392-4031) is selling new line of clothing for various body types from Linda Eisenstein, owner of www.ClothesBefitting.com.

Visit Cornerstone Garden from Saturday through Nov. 19 to receive 20 percent off all clothing.

The first 20 customers get a free neon Buddha yoga bag.

Store hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Visit www.dianadigsdirt.com for more info.

Bargain Box

The Bargain Box in downtown Greensboro (122 N. Elm St.; 273-6349) will have a new shipment of holiday decorations on Wednesday and toys on Nov. 30.

The store, which has been around for 65 years, serves as a fundraiser for the Junior League of Greensboro.

Anita’s holiday items

Speaking of the holidays, Christmas items including trees, lights, ornaments and other decor are arriving weekly at Anita’s Inside Yard Sale ( 2237 S. Scales St., Reidsville; 554-0152).

Other items for sale include household furnishings, new pocketknives, jewelry and clothes.

The store is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Book signing

Here’s a gift idea for book lovers: Loco for Coco Gourmet Chocolate (2415-C Lawndale Drive, Greensboro; 333-0029) is hosting a book signing by two local authors.

Cat humorist Dena Harris, author of “Who Moved My Mouse?” and Edmund Schubert, author of “The Trouble with Eating Clouds,” will be at the store from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.

The authors will also sign copies of their previous works.

Free coupon class

Local coupon guru Stephanie Harriel will share her advice about using coupons and understanding store policies at the High Point Public Library (901 North Main St.; 883-3646).

The free event is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Harriel runs the website couponwithcents.com.

Scrapbook Studio

Scrapbook Studio (2921-C Battleground Ave.; 286-0718) is hosting a scrapbook class for beginners the first Tuesday of each month.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Scrapbook kits range from $9.99 to $12.99.

Visit www.scrapbookstudionc.com for more information.

Rack Room fundraiser

Shoppers at Rack Room Shoes’ Greensboro stores donated more than $15,000 during a recent fundraiser.

Greensboro was one of the top five markets that raised the most money during the campaign, according to Rack Room Shoes.

The Charlotte-based company raised nearly $500,000 for Shoes that Fit, a nonprofit that provides shoes to children in need.

Rack Room Shoes has more than 390 stores nationwide.

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Got a tip to share? Let me know by Monday before the Sunday publication date.

Contact Mike Fuchs at 484-1175 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com