White Rose Artisans Boutique: Where the Perfect Gift ... Meets the Right Need
Oct 31, 2015 06:46PM ● By Odell Williams
The holiday season is upon us, and, with its arrival, Midlands area residents will soon start fine-tuning their shopping lists and finalizing gift-giving plans and will begin searching for the perfect gifts at the right prices. Most will wrestle with the same familiar questions that underscore the season’s anxiety: Where can I find great gifts at “budget-friendly” prices? How can I get my shopping done in relative peace without being “mobbed” by the usual masses of humanity?
Thankfully … there is another option. White Rose Artisans Boutique, conveniently located at 831 Meeting Street, in West Columbia, is an ideal place for holiday shoppers to shop in a calm, relaxing and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere filled with quality and affordable gift items that are stylish and one of a kind. For example, one of the store’s bestsellers is Green Tree Jewelry—beautiful earrings made from recycled wood products priced from $9.99 to $12.99.
Store owner Martha Wise has always been a great supporter of local businesses, resident artisans, and environmental and sustainable efforts. Her trendy boutique features numerous “ecofriendly” selections made from recycled materials. In addition, Wise purchases much of her inventory locally from businesses that call South Carolina home. For many artisans, the money generated from the sale of their pieces at White Rose constitutes their only source of income. In any given week, 28 to 30 local artisan consignment displays can be found at the store. Items featured include antiques, artwork, photography, pottery, stained glass, yard art, handcrafted jewelry, women’s apparel and books. Other great selections include handmade cards, wood-crafted earrings, wood carvings/figurines, handmade ink pens, “upcycled” lighting and bird houses.
Understanding the difficulties facing so many impacted by the recent historic flooding, which crippled much of the Midlands and the rest of the state, Wise is graciously donating 10 percent of the boutique’s holiday sale proceeds to charities directly supporting S.C. flood victims. Her hope is that shoppers will spend their dollars locally to support the Midlands area economy and its businesses, such as White Rose Artisans Boutique, rather than making purchases through online retailers. States Wise: “It would be an absolute act of love and compassion. What better way for local citizens to lend their support than to invest in the Midlands area rebuilding process.”
Banners are on display throughout the immediate area surrounding White Rose that highlight what will come to be known as the River District: a geographical area encompassing Meeting Street, State Street and parts of Highway #378 (Sunset Boulevard). The district will feature area businesses, such as antique malls, art galleries, locally owned restaurants, artisan boutiques, consignment shops, spas and more. The association, of which Wise is president, successfully lobbied for the name identification, prompted by a desire to encourage better shopping and entertainment experiences for local families in an area with less traffic congestion and overcrowding, unlike that experienced in other areas around the Midlands.
With so much to offer, why go anywhere else? Wise and her team at White Rose Artisans Boutique are ready to help every shopper looking for the perfect gift items for family, friends and associates. Adds Wise, “Here at White Rose, shoppers will not only find the holiday gifts they’re looking for at great prices, but, beyond that, each purchase made will represent the true gift of hope for artisans and local residents that were impacted by the unfortunate flooding that devastated so many lives on so many levels.”
For more information, call 803-724-7285 or visit WhiteRoseSC.com. Find and “friend” White Rose Artisans Boutique: Facebook/WhiteRoseSC and Twitter @WhiteRoseSC1.
