retail report
Story and Photos By Jodi Hutchison

November marks the official beginning of the holiday shopping season, and Jonesboro retailers offer a host of ideas for everyone on your gift list.

HIGHWAY 63 NORTH, BONO
The Lamp Outlet, 10186 Highway 63, Bono, (870) 910-LAMP (5267). A visit to the recently remodeled Lamp Outlet, located on the western edge of Jonesboro, is decidedly one of the best shopping experiences in the region. The store contains 26,000 square feet of room-after-room and row-after-row of lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, furniture, accessories and even novelty items. In fact, because of the store’s vast selection, great prices and superior expertise, owner Jim Quinn said homeowners, builders and decorators frequently come in from as far away as Tennessee, Missouri and Mississippi.

“We are the largest lighting showroom in all of Arkansas, carrying everything from start to finish on any lighting job. We have door bells, smoke detectors, the largest selection of ceiling fans in the region, guaranteed lowest prices on recessed lighting, a huge selection of mirrors, vanity sinks, art work, home décor and more,” said Quinn.

Shoppers can select from a plethora of styles ranging from elegant upscale lighting, such as cutting-edge chandeliers that conceal hidden ceiling fans, to a room filled with discounted lamps and fixtures that would be any bargain hunter’s dream. Numerous individualized booths throughout the store are professionally designed with beautiful furniture and accessories that help customers visually appreciate how the various lighting collections look in a particular living environment.

The Lamp Outlet’s website catalogs an enormous inventory including 399 ceiling fans, 549 chandeliers, 309 wall mounted fixtures and 384 vanity lights. Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.thelampoutlet.lightingandfans.com.

SHOPPES AT HILLTOP
Swank, 3410 E. Johnson Ave., Suite A, (870) 336-1620. The brand new Bassett Design Center inside Swank opens Nov. 15, offering one of the most versatile furniture programs available. The store is helping its customers say goodbye to “off-the-rack” home furnishing looks with customizable hard goods and upholstered pieces exclusively from the Basset gallery. Almost infinite combinations of items such as sofas and dining room sets create a look that suits individual tastes and lifestyles without compromise. Swank continues to offer its free professional home floor plan study of customers’ homes. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. www.bassettfurniture.com

NETTLETON AVENUE
Harris Furniture, 2701 E. Nettleton Ave., (870) 935-3772. This family-owned furniture store was a landmark in the downtown area from 1968 until just last month when the Harris family moved the store to its new location in the heart of the Jonesboro shopping district.

The new store has a contemporary brick exterior and the interior boasts a fresh, open design that makes browsing easy and enjoyable. One whole section of the store is devoted to an expanded Flexsteel gallery with a number of new fabrics, increasing customer options for customized upholstered pieces. In addition, a new computerized design tool creates an image of a given fabric sample as it would look over the entire surface of a selected furniture frame.

Christmas is around the corner and Harris Furniture is a great place to buy that recliner dad has always wanted. Accent and accessory items also make unique gifts that loved ones will cherish for years to come.

“We look forward to seeing all of our old customers and welcome new friends to come by and visit us at our new store,” said Keith Harris, store owner. Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sat 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HIGHLAND DRIVE
The Mall at Turtle Creek, 3000 E. Highland Drive, (870) 336-2500. The mall is gearing up for an extra special Christmas shopping season! Stores are stocking up with gift items, sales are being planned and preparations for holiday events are under way. Santa is scheduled to arrive at the mall’s center court at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14. St. Nick’s arrival will be celebrated with a live musical performance by the Jonesboro Suzuki Institute featuring violins, violas and cellos.

In addition, Santa is collecting canned goods for the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas Nov. 14-16. Everyone who donates will receive a special gift (while supplies last). Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun. 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. www.mallatturtlecreek.com