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Highlands Today

Lakeshore Mall gearing up for the holiday season

Jasmina Meyer, Highlands Today

From left: Linda Leialoha and Dinah Metz package an item for customers recently at the Guarded Treasures kiosk in Lakeshore Mall.

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By BILL ROGERS

Highlands Today

Published: November 22, 2009

SEBRING - Santa has arrived, the Christmas decorations are in place and the merchants at Lakeshore Mall in Sebring are hopeful for a good holiday shopping season.

"I'm positive it will be better than last year," said Jenny Cheek, the mall's general manager.

Cheek said she has been seeing "positive things" and noted that sales have been increasing every month.

There are several holiday tenants who have set up kiosks near the food court and other areas. There are four newcomers displaying their wares for the first time at the mall.

Among them are Dinah Metz and Linda Leialoha who are selling silk floral arrangements, wreaths and decorations. The Sebring women have been operating a home-based business called Guarded Treasures.

"We did a few craft shows and we thought we would try to branch out," Metz said.

"We are trying to get the business to expand," she added. "We're trying to do more of the weddings and the fundraisers. We are trying to get the name out."

If they are successful in their stint at the mall, Metz said she and Leialoha might open a store.

"We have had a good response so far," she said.

Metz, who was a travel agent for 17 years, said she and Leialoha began doing the silk arrangements as a hobby. Metz added that their friends and family members liked their designs.

In case you wondered how the women arrived at the name for the business, Metz explains.

"Our husbands met through the National Guard and that is how Linda and I met," Metz said. "These are our treasures."
Dinah and Linda are actually from the same town in Indiana (Huntington), but they didn't know each other there. They met in Florida.
Gold Buyers at the Mall is also operating a kiosk at Lakeshore for the first time. However, unlike the others, Gold Buyers is planning to make it permanent, according to Isreal Gonzalez, the company's district manager.

The New York company has been in a business for a little more than a year and is trying to expand into malls, Gonzalez said.

Old gold and gold jewelry can be brought in and redeemed for cash.

He said an acid test is used to determine the quality of the metal. They will pay on the spot.

Cell X, an Atlanta company, has cell phone accessories.

Brent King, who is manning the kiosk, said Cell X has several phone covers that other people don't carry.

Hamilton's Personalized Ornaments offers a wide range of ornaments that a person can have personalized with a name and date. Gift items featuring college sports teams are also sold there.

The other holiday tenants include: InLife and NuSkin (display of an alternative smoking device and galvanic home facial spa as well as other products), Calendar Club Plus (favorite calendars and games), Side Door Shoppe (Christmas and other costume jewelry and The Butlers (hand-made holiday items including candles, ornaments, wooden signs and napkin holders. They can also put your pet's photo on a T-shirt or tote bag.)

As it does every year, the mall will have extended hours. They will vary this week as well as during December.

Lakeshore will be closed Thanksgiving Day, but will be open from 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. Nov. 27, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Nov. 28 and 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Nov. 29.

Mall hours will be 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Dec. 24. It will be closed Christmas Day and then open at 7 a.m. Dec. 26.

The 9th Hole reopens

The 9th Hole is back in business at the mall but only temporarily. The miniature golf course located near Kmart will be open during regular hours through Dec. 31.

Owner Kevin McNellis closed it in August due to lack of traffic. McNellis said the mall adjusted his rent, which has allowed him to reopen for the holidays.

McNellis said he plans to use half of his sales to buy presents for children who will have to be in either Florida Hospital or Highlands Regional Medical Center during Christmas.

Toys can be dropped off at The 9th Hole through Dec. 19.

Bill Rogers may be reached at 863-386-5825 or wrogers@highlandstoday.com

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