Expanded Triangle Center offers more variety.
By: Donna Lukiw
If you’re looking for more local shopping options, stop by the expanded Triangle Center at Route 206 and Triangle Road.
After grabbing some coffee and an egg, ham and cheese breakfast roll at Wawa in Triangle Center, you can stroll through the stores including several just-opened shops for some quick and easy holiday shopping.
Among the offerings there are stationery, arts and crafts, plus gifts and radio-controlled cars all available in the center which also includes Chicklet Books, DiStefano’s shoes and for really big holiday gifts, ERA-American Dream Realtors.
At The Purple Door, a stationery and general gifts store that opened Oct. 8, you can find all your stationery needs as well as other gifts.
"There was no place in the area to get personalized invitations and announcements," owner Stephanie Hunter said.
Ms. Hunter of Piney Woods Drive said she named the store The Purple Door after she went to Arkansas with her mother, Deborah, owner of Chicklet Books right across from The Purple Door.
"It’s named after another store in Arkansas that we liked and it had a purple door," Ms. Hunter said. "We tried very hard to have different gifts that you wouldn’t find somewhere else."
Most gifts in the store are under $50 and range from stationery and bath products to candles and even gifts for pets.
Ms. Hunter said shopping at The Purple Door is good for birthday gifts or housewarming gifts.
Two doors down is the Hillsborough R/C Hobby Shop, specializing in radio-controlled cars, trucks and boats.
"We have ready to fly airplanes and helicopters and we have also have build your own," owner Jason Schies said. "We do repairs too, but most customers repair their own."
While customizing a radio-controlled car last week, Mr. Shies said originally the car was worth about $489 but after replacing the plastic with titanium and chrome, the car can now be sold for $2,800.
Mr. Schies said it wasn’t his idea to open up a hobby store it was his 8-year-old son Aaron’s idea.
Mr. Schies said he used to drive long distances with his two sons to get to a hobby shop when his son finally suggested for his father to open up his own.
Mr. Shies agreed and is proud of his store inventory.
"We have about 75 cars in stocks and we have nitro-fueled and electric powered ATVs, radio controlled," Mr. Shies said.
Mr. Shies also said customer service is very important and without good customer service a business will fail.
For the shopping list that includes gifts for a lover of full-size race cars, there is the Hillsborough Glass Shop, an authorized NASCAR vendor.
"There is only one glass store and NASCAR store in Hillsborough," owner John Harenza said. "We sell apparel, stickers, shirts, jackets and novelties."
And if after browsing the shops your hunger is acting up, stop for some egg rolls and wanton soup at the Chinese restaurant or dine on steak and baby back ribs at Old Man Rafferty’s, maybe even stopping at the bank to make another withdrawal before continuing on.
Also located in the Triangle Center, is an arts and crafts store, filled with colorful toys and things to do.
Hillsborough resident David Lloyd opened up Fun with Crafts on Nov. 19. Everything from paint and candle art to pipe cleaners and door hangers can be found at Fun with Crafts.
"There’s no place in Hillsborough that really sells crafts," Mr. Lloyd said.
Mr. Lloyd worked for Kmart for 23 years and Wal-Mart for five years and has previously worked in a small toy store.
"I have an artistic flair," Mr. Lloyd said. "I’m handy with my hands. I can draw and create. I like to create in retail like creating displays."
Mr. Lloyd chose the Triangle Center for his business because he said it’s "upscale and it’s nice."
In Fun With Crafts, the store is separated into an adult section featuring flowers and Christmas decorations while the kids’ section has crafts to sculpt the jaws of a great white shark and to design a personalized soccer ball.
Fun With Crafts also sells paint-your-own Christmas door hangers, scrapbooks and rubber stamps.
Canvas and Craft, next door to Fun with Crafts, opened in September and sells handmade pottery, stoneware, prints, paintings and hand-carved wildlife.
You can even find art painted by local residents or have a frame customized for a reasonable price.
"For my custom framing, it’s what people can afford," owner Art Holderied said.
For the holiday season Linda’s Flower Shoppe not only sells flowers but also provides candles, balloons and vases for special occasions.
Linda Caswell is the owner of Linda’s Flower Shoppe, which she opened in July.
She said she wants her shop to be known for the unique arrangements and ideas she prepares. Bouquets of flowers and seasonal displays in the store window show her skills.
Linda’s Flower Shoppe offers roses, carnations, mums, daisies and snapdragons. Ms. Caswell said she wants to make all her customers feel welcome in the store.
"I want to have people know me, come in and feel welcome so people know if they need anything they could ask me," Ms. Caswell said.
She also arranges flowers for funerals and weddings.
"I believe in quality service, reasonable rates and a friendly atmosphere," Ms. Caswell said.
For other gift ideas or to prepare for the holiday season visit World of Hair, Pink Nails, Delucca’s Italian Restaurant and Grill, H.J Opdyke Builders Design Center and Triangle Dry Cleaners, all located in the Triangle Center.

