Holiday vendors have returned to Lakeshore Mall

From Miche Handbags, Thomas Kinkade prints, Swarovski crystal items to dips for chips, calendars and embroidered hunting shirts, the holiday vendors at Lakeshore Mall have a variety of merchandise to sell. Many of the kiosks have been set up at the Sebring mall and those that haven't will likely do so soon as the Christmas shopping season will kick into high gear at the end of this week. According to Jenny Cheek, the mall's general manager, at least 10 holiday vendors had committed as of Thursday to being there and more are expected. Cheek said Lakeshore has more seasonal vendors this year than in 2009. This is the first year for The Gourmet Snack Shack at Lakeshore that features cinnamon roasted nuts — pecans, almonds, cashews, peanuts. Charles Caraway, who operates the kiosk, said he will have a variety of gift tins that customers will fill fresh with chocolate nuts, salted nuts, the cinnamon nuts and candy. "It is gift ideas that you package yourself," he said. "It's something for people who you don't know what to buy for." "We'll be cooking, the closer it gets to Christmas, we'll be cooking the whole time we are here," Caraway said. "The mall will be smelled up with it (the aroma). In Lake Wales, no matter what door you would walk in, you would smell it," he added. "In December you smell the nuts cooking." Caraway, who lives in Lake Wales, said The Gourmet Snack Shack was at Eagle Ridge Mall in Lake Wales for six years. He noted that the reason for leaving Eagle Ridge was that the mall moved him to a different location because somebody wanted the spot he had occupied there. Caraway explained that he has been selling electronic cigarettes for four months at Lakeshore. He added that he also sells the electronic cigarettes in Lake Wales. "We came here to do that," Caraway said. "As we are already here, we decided to do this again (the snack shack) because it has never been here according to Jenny (Cheek)." Caraway said he is planning to operate the snack shack at Lakeshore for six months to see how it goes. He noted that he recently signed a year lease for the electronic cigarettes. It had been on a month-to-month basis. John Butler and his wife Karen operate The Butlers. They sell personalized piggybanks, ornaments, room signs and all sports bags among other things. The couple lives in upstate New York and participates in weekend craft shows in the north. They spend the winter in Sebring. They set up their location in the mall Nov. 2, and Butler said it has been slow so far. Butler said they have had "decent" winters in previous years at the mall and are hopeful about this year. "We are keeping our fingers crossed," he said. Other vendors include: Julie's Art and Gifts, Hamilton's personalized Christmas ornaments, Where U Find It, Guarded Treasures (floral arrangements), Discounted Cellular, Portrait Masters (family portraits), Calendar Club (calendars and games), LaCroix Creations (angel pins and decorations) and All-American Dips (chips and vegetables). Mall hours will vary during the holidays. It will be open at 6 a.m. Nov. 26 and from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Nov. 27 and 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Nov. 28. Hours on Christmas Eve are 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. The mall will be closed Dec. 25. Santa Claus is now available to hear children's wishes Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; and Sundays, noon - 6 p.m. Santa's visit to the mall will extend until Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. when he begins his Christmas trek around the world. Santa is located in front of JCPenney. There is no charge to visit Santa. However, visitors may purchase a photo with Santa. Donations for the Humane Society of Highlands County will be accepted where Santa is visiting. In addition to cash, people may donate food.