Programmable vodka bottle coming to state

Dutch-made Medea Vodka, presented in the world's first programmable bottle with personalized messages, is hitting South Carolina stores. An LED message display affixed to each bottle provides up to six illuminated text messages and up to 255 characters per message.

It is being distributed throughout the state by Republic National Distributing Co. of Columbia. The removable, battery-powered display can last up to a year and a half and is submergible and freezer-proof.

Say cheese

Olan Mills recently opened a new concept portrait studio in Northwoods Mall.

Customers can select images on a large, flat-screen display and take portraits home the same day through on-site printing.

The studio's grand opening offers customers a free 10 x 13 back-to-school portrait and 50 percent off any order. Also, the first 100 customers to book a sitting will receive a free gift. The offer ends Sept. 12. The studio is open seven days a week.

Food lines

Hubee D's Tenders and Wings at St. Andrews Shopping Center on Savannah Highway is now open. It is a new fast-casual dining venture of business partners Dana Sinkler Jr. and John Ferguson. They plan to expand within metro Charleston and eventually throughout the Southeast.

Also, Benito's Brick Oven Pizza at 1244 Belk Drive at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre recently closed, and there is no word on if or when it will reopen, according to a shopping center spokeswoman. The restaurant has been operating month to month since its 10-year lease expired in October.

Play time

A new hobby and toy store, HobbyTown USA, will open this weekend at 582 Belle Station Blvd. off Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant. Chuck and Susan Stokes also own another store in Charleston at 1559 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. The Lincoln, Neb.-based chain specializes in toys, trains, slot cars, games, models, puzzles, rockets, kites, science kits, craft activity kits, paints, tools and radio-controlled cars, trucks, boats, planes and helicopters.

Holiday helper

Sears Holdings is bringing back its Christmas Club card for Sears and Kmart shoppers.

When activated between now and Oct. 31, Christmas Club card users will earn a 3 percent reward, up to a maximum $100, based on the value they have on their cards on Nov. 15. The reward will be added to customers' Christmas Club cards by Nov. 24. Customers can start a Christmas Club card with as little as $5.

To activate cards or add additional value, customers can visit any Sears or Kmart store location or online at sears.com/christmasclub orkmart.com/christmasclub.

Color scheme

Brewers Paint Center at 32 Laurens St. in downtown Charleston has acquired the Benjamin Moore label after Charleston Paint Co.'s closing last month on King Street, co-owner Roy Cole said. Brewers still carries Martin-Senour paints.

Paper drive

Charleston-based Sticky Fingers restaurants are offering guests a free appetizer when they bring in an unopened ream of copy paper to donate to the school of their choice. The promotion runs through Sept. 30.

Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524 or wwise@postandcourier.com.