The deals are there, if you're game for hunting them down.
A set of living room furniture for $299. A refurbished side-by-side refrigerator for $200. Homemade truffles for a quarter.
The Bargain Hunter, Greensboro's newest flea market, is a new destination for those who thrive on the hunt for something at a good price.
"A lot of people can't afford to shop at the malls," said Dawn LaFrance, owner of Sweet Tooth, a shop in the center. "This is an alternative where you can get a quality gift and not pay through the wazoo for it."
The High Point Road flea market has been open for about three months, but it didn't mark its official grand opening until last week.
The mall is owned and operated by a husband and wife team who see their business in southwest Greensboro as an alternative on that side of town.
"We wanted to bring relief for people looking for deals and bargains," said Aaron McKinney, who runs the place with his wife Raena. "We got together with other entrepreneurs who had the same idea."
Like Calvert "Butch" Stewart, who relocated his store, B-Creative Gifts & Tees, to the Bargain Hunter.
"The potential is real good," Steweart said. "It's only a matter of time before people realize there's (a flea market) on this side of town."
The shop owners say there's a collective spirit about the place.
"We're on the same page," Raena McKinney said. "We're making things happen on a bare bones budget."
Inside the mall, patrons will find a collection of about 30 businesses, including a dollar store, a hair salon and an electronics repair shop. There's already a waiting list of more business owners hoping to secure a spot.
There's also more than 100 tables in the front and rear of the building that are available for yard sales or outside stores.
The Bargain Hunter, at 4828 High Point Road, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Selected merchants inside the mall may also be open during the week.
Apple's coming
If you missed one of this week's big retail stories, here's the recap: Greensboro's getting an Apple Store.
And for the savvy technophiles who wanted to know exactly where the computer store would be, here are the details.
The Apple Store is going in the 20,000-square-foot expansion currently being built at Friendly Center. It's the plot of land between Friendly Center and the Shops at Friendly Center behind where the new BB&T building is being constructed.
The expansion is expected to be finished in spring 2008.
Holiday jewelry show
The Saltbox, an American folk art gallery in State Street Station, will host Arnold Goldstein and his collection of handmade sterling silver jewelry and accessories from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
All items will be available for sale.
The store is at 2011 Golden Gate Drive, Greensboro.
Trader Joe's now open
No, Trader Joe's hasn't announced a Triad location.
But with Friday's opening of the new Chapel Hill store, at least there's one a little bit closer.
The Chapel Hill location, at 1800 E. Franklin St., is the fourth in the state.
Do you have a retail news or shopping tip for Savvy Shopper? Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or lwithers@news-record.com
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