With its red and white striped ramp leading to the front door, the festive, converted bungalow welcomes guests into a Christmas wonderland.
Impressions of the South is more like “Holiday Impressions,” according to Eva Watkins, who owns the North Augusta store on West Avenue with her husband Jay.
“We are part of many regional families’ holiday traditions,” said Eva Watkins.
Holy Land ornaments of the nativity and crucifixion carved out of olive wood in Bethlehem come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Personalized ornaments, hand-painted ornaments, small wreaths, pillows, tree skirts, snow-globes and figurines are among the items sold in the store.
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Watkins offers unique options for ornaments for different ages such as little figures of young sports players, dancers, hunters, golfers, lipsticks and martini glasses. In addition, she has dogs, cats and other animals.
Watkins handwrites first names on them with a paint pen to personalize them.
She said many families come back there every year to get a new ornament for the tree or to get selfies in front of a constantly snowing background via a special effect in one room or with the whimsical, upside-down Christmas tree in another.
“There is so much at other stores that is impersonal. They are very cookie-cutter where ours is more creative. Also, people can come in here if they are having a bad day, and it brings back memories,” Watkins said. “We will help you find that funny holiday item or item that warms your heart.”
The store also has Byer’s Choice Ltd. hand crafted Carolers figures and Mark Roberts’ elf figures.
Also, there’s a case full of handmade truffles made by chocolatiers.
Another room contains nutcrackers.
Business has been good this season despite a few shipping challenges.
“I do keep some back-stock, though, and do replenish. Do ask if something is the last item, though, because it may not be there on a second visit,” she said.
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Eva Watkins manages and decorates the current holiday store while Jay Watkins does most of the buying.
The wheelchair ramp isn’t the only way Watkins tries to make her store accessible. She tries to make room in the store between Christmas trees and displays for wheelchairs and walkers.
“That was part of the design. I want them to come in and enjoy themselves,” she said.
The disabled, in fact, hold a special place in the Watkins’ hearts. They donate to an organization called The RECing Crew, which offers leisure and recreational programs for individuals with disabilities.
The store will only be open a little more than a week until its eighth season is in the books. It will close Dec. 24 for several weeks. It will be open until 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, as part of North Augusta’s Third Thursday event. The Fox Creek High School jazz band will be performing Christmas music during the event.
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Impressions of the South wasn’t always just a seasonal business. Eva Watkins operated it year-round and her husband, Jay, owned the other store building across the way when they were married 11 years ago. They opened the first gift store there – a year-round gift shop which also served coffee and tea.
She then bought the building the holiday store is in, and they ran both stores concurrently until three years ago when they closed the year-round gift shop.
They will take a break in January and spend more time visiting their grandchildren from Cleveland, Ohio and Hilton Head, S.C.
“We are supposed to be retired. We have decided to enjoy our grandbabies – what we are supposed to do at this age,” she said.
Business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday until Dec. 24 when the store will close for several weeks.
The shop will reopen business for Third Thursdays only beginning in February through September.
