THE SAVVY SHOPPER

Rutherford County, North Carolina's Source for Deals & Tips from Local Merchants as part of the TriLocal Initiative.

Thursday, May 27, 2010


Several events to mention that are going on this Memorial Day weekend.

First, the Rutherford County Senior Center will be holding a Tailgate/Trunk Yard Sale tomorrow, May 28th, in the parking lot at the Senior Center, which is located at 193 Callahan-Koon Road beginning at 8:30 am. You can also find some great treasures as well as plants and baked goods!

Monday, May 31 there will be a Memorial Day Service in downtown Forest City at 11:00 am. Come out and show your patriotism for those who have given and are presently giving their service and lives for our great country!

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Thursday, May 20, 2010


National Geographic and KidSenses will present "Super Stars Evening" on Tuesday, May 25th at The Foundation at ICC. A reception will be held at 6:00 pm with a presentation at 7:00 pm. For ticket information on both events, contact the Foundation boxoffice at 828-286-9990 and for additonal information about the event, visit www.kidsenses.com or go to KidSenses on FaceBook.

Monday, May 10, 2010






Great news! You can now follow the Savvy Shopper on FaceBook! She is still busy promoting shopping the local establishments in Rutherford County, NC. Stop by and become a "fan" of hers. If you have tips on where to shop or want to share a great deal, please feel free to share them with fellow Savvy Shopper followers.


In the very near future, we will have a feed from the FB page to our blog page and vice versa. Thanks to all for your continued support

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

About a year ago, many of you will remember that the TriLocal initiative was introduced to the residents of Rutherford County. The concept was to shop locally in the towns of Rutherford, Spindale and Forest City. TriLocal decals were placed on merchants doors and residents were urged to "Try Local". With this in mind, a new, but compatible, initiative is underway by local merchants to promote not just shopping in the three towns, but also throughout the entire county. You will be seeing a lot in days to come on merchants' FaceBook pages, websites, etc. about The 3/50 Project!

What is The 3/50 Project? It's a nationwide, grass-roots effort to promote shopping locally by committing to select three locally-owned businesses and spend $50 cumulatively at those businesses during a month's time. That equates to $600 a year. The project does not ask you to fore go the Wal-Marts or other big box businesses in the area, but to consciously commit to supporting the locals as well.

According to a 2009 US Labor Dept. report, if half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. For every $100 spent in locally owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain or big box store, only $43 stays in Rutherford County and if you spend in online, nothing comes home!

For more information about this program, feel free to check it out at www.the3/50project.net.

Now, start thinking about which three Rutherford County locally-owned businesses you will support this month - and let the shopping begin!

Just remember - Pick 3. Spend 50. Save our local economy! Pass the word.

Monday, March 8, 2010

What a beautiful, sunny day- a great way to start a new week !


Lots of activities going on in our county this week, so let's get started.


* The Small Business Center at Isothermal Community College is offering evening seminars on various topics.

Understanding Tax Requirements for Your Business - Wednesday, March 17th

How to Find Grants - Thursday, March 11th

How to Write a Grant - Thursday, March 25th

For more information, times and costs of these seminars, please contact Dee Spurlin at 828.286.3636, ext. 229 or e-mail her at dspurlin@isothermal.edu



* Tomorrow night, March 9th, at The Foundation Performing Arts Center located at ICC, the production of the Church Basement Ladies will be performed. There are two show timers, 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Cost of tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for youth. Join them for a great time of fun and laughter!


*Saturday, March 13th, Trinity Christian School will hold its indoor YARD SALE from 7-12 pm. This is a "rain or shine" event and will be set up in the school gym. Trinity Christian School is located at 299 Deter Street in Rutherfordton.


*The Rutherford County Arts Council will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, on Saturday, March 20th at 7:00 pm at the Foundation Performing Arts Center. Call the box office for details on ticket prices, etc.


Now let's update recent businesses who have moved to different locations.


First, the Salvation Army has relocated to the building behind the DMV office on Duke Street. Their grand opening was last Friday and business has been booming!


The Rutherford County Visual Arts Center has a new home next to the Chamber of Commerce in the building that housed the former Finders Keepers consignment shop. With more room, the store has a large selection of merchandise created by local artisians and also more room for classes.


Enjoy the sunshine and warmth!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

What a beautiful day! The snow is melting and it seems as if Spring is trying its best to make an appearance.

With Spring right around the corner (hopefully!), now's the time to think about gardening. Many of the local nurseries and home improvement stores have their seeds for fruits and vegetables already available. If you're not one who likes to start from scratch, how about small fruit trees and plants ready for planting!

* The 2010 Rutherford County 4-H Small Fruit Sale is currently underway with orders due in to the Rutherford County Extension Office by Friday, March 5th. This year they are offering a wide variety of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes and apple trees.

For more information or to download an order form, visit http://www.rutherford.ces.ncsu.edu/ or call 828-287-6011. Plants may be picked up Wednesday, March 24 from 2-5 pm or Thursday, March 25 from 9:00 am -5:30 pm at the Farmers Market area on Fairgrounds Road.


* "March Madness" is in full swing at Fireside Books and Gifts. With each purchase you make during the month of March, you will receive an entry into their March month-end drawing for a $30 gift certificate! For more info on weekly specials and store events, visit them on FaceBook at Fireside Books and Gifts or on the web at http://www.firesidebooksandgifts.com/.

You can get started with your purchases by attending a reception for bestselling author J.T. Ellison on Friday evening, March 5th from 6-8:00 pm. Ms. Ellison is the critically acclaimed author of the Taylor Jackson (she's Nashville's equivalent to TV's Dexter!) series and was named "Best Mystery/Thriller Writer of 2008" by the Nashville Scene. Her latest release "Cold Room" will be available for purchase!


*Many of us are already beginning to think about Spring Cleaning (ugh!). So... here are some thoughts on that subject!

- New telephone books are now being delivered - so what to do with the old ones? Remember to place these outdated books in the "Paper" recycle bin for your trash pick-up or at the convenience centers. I use a large storage tub to place all my newspaper, cardboard, magazines and catalogs in. A quick "recycling center" can be made by using a wire storage rack that has at least two shelves. Then use storage tubs with lids and label them for plastic, paper, aluminum, etc. The tubs fit on the storage rack shelves nicely and you have an inexpensive, attractive recycling center!

- If you have something too good to throw away, but don't have any use for the item, why not advertise it on Rutherfordfreecycle! This is a website service set up for the trading of free items such as furniture, firewood, childrens' clothes, etc. Simply sign-up as a member by going to http://www.rutherfordfreecycle.com/ and follow the instructions. Surrounding counties such as Polk County have similar sites, as this is a nationwide program.


* Kid's Computer Corner will have an Open House event on Saturday, March 6th at 10:00 am. Located at the Union Mills Learning Center at 6495 Hudlow Road, the "Corner" will be open from 10-12:00 each Saturday. For more information, contact Loyce at 828-287-2191.

A BIG "THANKS" goes out to Tom Roberson of City Computer in Forest City for all his help in making this happen!

* Another rather unique recycling event taking place - The Town of Spindale has set up a recycling station in the Spindale House where residents can go and trade or recycle their current house numbers for new house numbers. The majority of residents in the town have been given new house numbers as a result of the E-911 system. In order to ease the burden of homeowners having to purchase new numbers, a resident suggested a recycling of existing numbers. What a great idea! Residents can trade house numbers at the Spindale House during normal operating hours. For more information, call 286-3466 or 286-3716.
If there is an event, new store opening, store special, etc. that you'd like me to mention in my blog, please send the information to me at bwatson@rutherfordncedc.com

Friday, February 12, 2010

Well- two days and counting until Valentine's Day! Have you got your sweety a special gift yet? If not, here are several ideas --

Take that special someone to dinner at one of our great local restaurants! M Squared in Spindale is offering Valentine specials both Saturday and Sunday, so be sure to make reservations now as seating is limited. In celebration of their 4th Anniversay, Courtside is celebrating Valentine's with a 2 for $22.22 special which includes 2 ribeyes, 2 all you can eat salad bars and 2 drinks! This special is good Friday and Saturday Feb. 12 and 13th! If you want something more simplistic and all-American, try Doozie Dogs for the best in hot dogs! New to the county, they are the "Home of the Dogzilla" and will be open Valentine's Dog from 12-6 pm with free sweet tea for your sweetie!

Perhaps you're looking for a unique gift for your loved one - why not check the just arrived merchandise at Spindale Drug Company. They have everything from gourmet boxed chocolates , candles, jewelry, and silver to gift certificates to Broad River Coffee. They will even wrap your gifts for free!! In Forest City at It's All in the Bag, specials include BOGO on their beautiful Pashmina scarves and 15% off all jewelry and fragrances.

Many your Valentine is a bookworm - well tonight's the night to shop for books! Stop by Fireside Books & Gifts this evening and meet Southern author Amy Greene. She will be on hand for a reception and book reading of her debut novel Bloodroot,which is a multi-generational saga set in the heart of Appalachia about the legacies of magic and madness, faith and secrets, passion and heartbreak that one family wrestles with across the generations, from the Great Depression to present day. What a great gift this would make!

Happy Valentine's Day!