Nov 9, 2008

New store offers gift and home items, screen-printingBy Jennifer EdwardsNatchezDemocrat.com

Vidalia, Mississippi — Janet and Bill Hughes had often talked about moving their screen-printing operation out of the family home, but it never seemed to be the right time.

But that all changed recently, when a spot became available in a building they already owned on Carter Street in Vidalia.

A few months back, the previous tenant closed her business and moved out, and Janet Hughes took that as a sign that it was time for her to move in. And, thus, Southern Designs and Gifts was born.

But, with all the new space, Hughes wanted to offer more than just screen printed items, and decided to turn the front portion of the store into a gift shop filled with purses, jewelry, baby items and home décor items.

“I could almost push Bill out of the back,” Hughes said of her expanding lines of merchandise.

They also offer custom creations that include candy bar cakes that are round “cakes” made entirely from candy and baby bouquets that feature roses made from baby bath clothes and flowers made from pacifiers.

There are also seasonal custom wreaths.

The candy cakes, baby bouquets and wreaths are the handiwork of Connie Williams who Hughes credits for the stores décor.

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