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GREENSBORO — Judy VanWuyckhuyse shows me around her newly opened Daisy’s Designers Alley, which showcases upscale items from dozens of local vendors.

“We’ve got everything from home decor to lamps to design to customized bird houses to wreaths to a man cave.”

“Ooh,” I said.

She laughs.

“Show me the man cave.”

Off we go.

Inside a room, a blackjack table from Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., is surrounded by four stools and various signs.

VanWuyckhuyse also thinks it’s a sure bet that Daisy’s (3127 Battleground Ave.; 516-2499) will prosper despite sour economic times.

She was pleased by the turnout during her Black Friday grand opening weekend.

“We had a steady flow of customers coming in Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” she said.

She’s also pleased that 80 percent of the store’s 6,000 square feet of available space already is full.

That’s a sign small-business owners are looking for more affordable ways to sell their wares.

“This launches so many entrepreneurs that maybe never would have had the chance,” she said.

Feeling like giving back this holiday season?

The 53-year-old married mother of two has set up a home-decor booth in one corner of the store with 100 percent of the profits benefiting the local community.

“I’ve been blessed, but the thing is, I’ve always given back,” said VanWuyckhuyse, who has served on boards at the United Way, Red Cross and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

Daisy’s is just north of Lowe’s Home Improvement near Pisgah Church Road.

Look for the bright yellow sign with a daisy logo.

You’ll also find a link to the store’s Facebook page here.

Downtown discounts

Take advantage of discounts and get a free, re-usable tote bag this holiday season during a “shop local” event that’s being held on Saturdays in downtown Greensboro.

To get the tote bag featuring a downtown Greensboro logo, fill out a voucher at participating stores.

The vouchers then will be entered for weekly drawings to win items such as free tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet, Triad Stage productions and Carolina Theatre movies.

A grand-prize drawing for a downtown gift basket worth $150 will be held Dec. 20.

The shop local event will be held each Saturday through Dec. 17.

Retailers participating include Burton’s Pharmacy, Design Archives, Greensboro Historical Museum Shop, Jules Antiques and Fine Art, Mechelle’s boutique and Pop Up Shop at Elsewhere.

Four Seasons store

Fox, a national retailer specializing in sports brands and casual apparel for kids and young adults, recently opened at Four Seasons Town Centre.

It’s the chain’s 10th location in the U.S. and the first in North Carolina.

The store is on the mall’s second level between Victoria’s Secret and Center Court.

Seasonal shop opens

A holiday shop is open for the first three weekends in December at Elsewhere (606 S. Elm St., Greensboro; 491-8268), a living museum set inside a former thrift store.

Elsewhere and The WAMshop of the Weatherspoon Art Museum are behind the store’s opening.

The shop features contemporary artwork and cultural artifacts.

Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Preen to relocate

Preen Vintage Jewelry (3122-B Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 286-6169) is having a clearance sale as it prepares to relocate to Asheville.

Get 25 to 75 percent off jewelry during the sale, which will end by Dec. 21 or earlier, depending on how long inventory lasts.

Other items for sale include fixtures, Christmas decorations, furniture, chandeliers and displays.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

You also can shop online at www.preenvintagejewelry.com.

Salvation Army cards

Support The Salvation Army and give someone a gift at the same time.

Donate $5 to the nonprofit for an “honor card,” which features the familiar red kettle scene with a group of children.

They can be purchased at Triad area Salvation Army Corps offices, online or by phone .

The tax-deductable donations help people pay rent and utilities and provide food and shelter during the holidays and throughout the year.

Visit www.salvationarmycarolinas.org for more information.

New skateboard shop

A new store devoted to all things skateboarding recently opened in Greensboro.

Skate Hard (1615 Westover Terrace; 286-5622) sells items such as boards, helmets, trucks, wheels and knee pads, shoes and clothes.

Earthworks sale

Here’s an event worth checking out if local pottery and paintings are on your holiday shopping list.

Earthworks Pottery & Studios (636 S. Cedar St., Greensboro; 275-1202) is having its first studio sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Songbirds sale

More than 100 newly arrived coats and jackets are 5 to 15 percent off at Songbirds Consignments (2610 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro; 288-5456).

Prices on other coats and jackets also have been reduced by 25 to 75 percent.

Sale at Maison

Maison (2417 Lawndale Drive, Suite A, Greensboro; 288-7488) is having a special sale from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

The fine consignments, antiques and interiors shop also will give away door prizes.

Items for sale include holiday lighting, candles, lamps and paintings.

Sabika crystal jewelry and design and space planning tips are other highlights of the event.

Annie Sloan chalk paint will be 10 percent off all month.

Become Web savvy

Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/BargainBlog. You also can follow me at facebook.com/bargainblog.

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