Come sit awhile...

I love having my shop in Old Town Florence. One of the things you notice right away here is that the pace seems to slow down a bit and people stop rushing around and take the time to just enjoy the atmosphere. Couples walk by holding hands and large, loud happy families stroll the streets with ice cream from BJ's or caramel corn from the corner candy store. And it's a great place to just sit and watch the world go by. I don't think I've  ever been to a town that has made it so easy to just sit and relax. So many choices and views.

The city itself offers benches between Mo's and the gift shops...

and tucked between two businesses at the west end of Old Town are these benches and a great gazebo with a view of the river.

As I walked around Old Town last night, I noticed how many of the shop keepers have put their own spin on the benches and chairs that they provide.

From The Captain's Lady with its collection of buoys and a real vintage feel...

to the Beachcomber Bar with its water ski chairs...

to the Bay Street Grill with its tables and chairs and beautiful hanging planters...

and Periwinkle Station with its bright and whimsical bench.

Bon Jour offers a romantic white bench...

while Travelers Cove offers simple plank benches flanked by flower planters.

And last, but certainly not least, is the wonderful bench that sits just to the side of The Wren's Nest. My husband and I crafted it  out of two old metal chairs and a great board salvaged from one of his remodel jobs...

It looks like something that you would pay a few hundred $$ for, but with two $3 flea market chairs, salvaged wood and a can of black spray paint, its total cost was under $10! And in my opinion, it's one of the best places in Old Town to relax and just sit for a while...