Lakeshore Mall Adds 2 Stores

H&L Designs, a new home decor store in Lakeshore Mall, can probably make the claim that it has one of the more unique pieces of jewelry in its display case.

The piece is a jewel encrusted brassiere. The cost: $585.

It is part of the Diaphani Collection that includes rings, pendants and bracelets.

The store opened last month at the mall's center court. It is owned by Herbert Frauwallner, who lives in Lake Placid, and Luis Silva.

"It fills a niche," Silva said.

The store also sells wall art, grandfather clocks and some cuckoo clocks.

EMCI Wireless is opening its third location in Highlands County in the mall near J.C. Penney.

"We wanted to be more visible and take advantage of the foot traffic," said Chas Elliott of EMCI Wireless.

The store, which was scheduled to open Saturday, will have Alltel phones and accessories as well as Sprint Nextel accessories.

Several kiosks will operate in the mall during the Christmas shopping season. They include Hickory Farms, Calendar Club Plus (games and calendars) and the Butlers (NFL merchandise, T-shirts and seasonal items. Jenny Cheek, the mall's general manager, said those three should be set up by Thanksgiving.

Two others, Sidedoor Shop (jewelry) and Pet ID (pet clothing, leashes and collars) will not be in mall until December, according to Cheek.

Also new at the mall is a Proactiv Solution vending machine, which among other products, dispenses advanced blemish treatment for $20.70. The vending machine is located in front of Rack Room Shoes.

"A lot of these companies are testing the vending concept," Cheek said.

In the past, the Proactiv acne and skin treatment products could only be purchased via the Internet and TV.

"It saves people from paying shipping fees," she added.

The Sebring mall is gearing up for the most important time of the year for most merchants - the Christmas shopping season.

Lakeshore will be closed Thanksgiving Day. It will open at 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 28, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Nov. 29 and noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 30. The mall's hours will vary in December.

Anchor tenants Belk, Penney's and Sears will have varied hours on the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Belk's hours will be 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. Nov. 28, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Nov. 29 and 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Nov. 30.

Penney will open at 4 a.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Nov. 29 and noon - 6 p.m. Nov. 30.

Sears will also open at 5 a.m. Nov. 28. Store hours on Nov. 29 will be 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. and noon - 6 p.m. Nov. 30.

Several merchants are participating by offering discounts on merchandise and food that are in a holiday coupon book. The coupon books are available at The Sports Fan, Radio Shack and the mall management office.