Merchants encouraged to dress up for Fashion Week

Downtown merchants along King and adjacent streets are urged to do a little window dressing for the third annual Charleston Fashion Week.

The Window Dressing Competition asks shopkeepers to explore their creative side by using Charleston Fashion Week posters in inventive window displays.

Store owners must have their windows done by today to be included in the judging, which takes place Tuesday. Originality, presentation and the ability to creatively and effectively promote Fashion Week will sway the judges.

The winner receives two weeklong tickets to Fashion Week events and a full-page advertisement in Charleston magazine. Second- and third-place winners receive tickets to some of the events.

Shoppers also can vote for the People's Choice Award at charlestonfashionweek.com.

Charleston Fashion Week is March 24-28, though the Stiletto Stampede on Saturday kicks off the event. See the above Web site for details on how to win $10,000. It's for men and women.

New treat

Fresh Berry Frozen Yogurt Cafe will open March 25 at 39 George St. with free yogurt all day.

"It's a good way to introduce us to the community and let them know where we are," proprietor Nancy Flynn said.

The seven-day-a-week cafe next to the College of Charleston, with 18-20 employees, will offer yogurt smoothies as well as fresh fruit. It will have seven flavors and 28 toppings.

"I think the current trend for an all-natural, low-calorie treat is something we are all looking for right now," Flynn said.

Plowing new ground

Another Tractor Supply Co. store is planting seeds in the Charleston area.

The Brentwood, Tenn.-based farm and ranch supply chain will open its 17th South Carolina store in Summerville in June.

Last month, the company opened a new store in Ravenel. The 27,000-square-foot Summerville store will be at 1672 N. Main St. and will employ 12 to 17 full- and part-time workers. Construction started March 9.

Moonlighting

Ravenel residents Robbie and Valerie Durr have started an online outsource imaging supply business.

The security guard by night at medical-equipment maker Hill-Rom in North Charleston used part of his tax refund and with help from his wife recently started www.sccartridgesystems.biz.

Among other things, he plans to help businesses with their office supply costs by accepting spent toner and ink jet cartridges for a credit to the business in return for replacements.

In the bag

Schools that are part of Harris Teeter supermarket chain's Together in Education program have a chance to earn some extra cash for being green. Until June 1, the participating school that collects the most plastic bags based on weight and turns them in at local Harris Teeter stores will take home $1,000.

The bags will be weighed at the store and recycled as part of the "We Think Green" competition.

The second-place winner will pick up $500, and third-, fourth- and fifth-place winners from each Harris Teeter region can walk away with $250 each.

In the know? Do you know of a business that is opening or closing? Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524 or wwise@postandcourier.com.