Supporting local is more than a slogan at Anderson Mall. It’s a place where several small business owners have been able to open and grow their first retail store.
“We’re all about community and bringing our partners together,” said Mall Manager Chunta Miller. “Local is where it is. You get that local flavor, you get that mom-and-pop shop, and they’re passionate about what they do, so we’re excited to bring them here. We want them to make Anderson Mall their home.”
Exceptional Confections
Brandon Goldsmith baked out of his home for eight years before opening Exceptional Confections in the mall.
“The business just grew, and my house turned into a bakery,” Goldsmith said. “Around the time I was ready to transition and move out into a retail spot, this spot became available in the mall, so I jumped on it.”
His store in Anderson Mall gives Goldsmith a place to bake, promote and sell his products. And he now has a built-in audience of taste testers for new cupcake and cake flavors.
All Exceptional Confections items are Goldsmith’s made-from-scratch creations other than Granny’s Sweet Potato Pie inspired by Goldsmith’s grandmother and Mama’s Vanilla Pound Cake which is his mother’s recipe. Fan favorites include strawberry and red velvet cupcakes, key lime cake, strawberry cake and cheesecake.
In addition to his retail operation, Goldsmith bakes up his specialties for birthday parties, weddings and catered events. Exceptional Confections hours at Anderson Mall are Thursday – Saturday, Noon until 6 pm and Sunday, Noon until 4 pm. Follow @exceptionalconfections on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Chic 5 Boutique
Chic 5 Boutique is another locally owned retailer in Anderson Mall. Billed as the largest women’s boutique in the Electric City, Chic 5 offers everything from swimwear to formalwear, and the store will soon add a shoe department, said manager Stacy Brown.
“Our customers feel so at home here,” Brown said. “We try to make them have a personal experience and give the best customer service we can give. Our customers are our friends and they’re like family.”
Chic 5 also is a place to keep with the latest fashion trends in clothing and accessories. Pattern, color and bold designs are trending for spring, with yellow being a big color this year, Brown said.
Located between the mall’s Food Court and Clemson Boulevard entrance, Chic 5 is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am until 9 pm and Sunday, Noon until 6 pm. Follow @Chic5Boutique on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and fashion.
Northern Suga
Kim Sams opened Northern Suga, a specialty food store, in Anderson Mall and has taken full advantage of the foot traffic and special events held there, recently sponsoring the Women’s Empowerment Spring Fling.
Originally from Indiana, Sams said she couldn’t find the gourmet apples and popcorn she enjoyed growing up, so she opened her store to share the traditions of the Midwest.
“Being from the Midwest, we could always go a get gourmet popcorn and apples, and when we first moved to Anderson, there was nowhere to go,” Sams said. “I have the love for it because it was a tradition in our family. That’s what my godmother did for us for Halloween. We’d didn’t go out for trick-or-treating. She did it at home.”
Sams’ made-from-scratch candied apples are works of art, with specialties that include carmel, carmel pecan and turtle candied apples. But the crème de la crème is the Indulgent apple, which is a carmel apple encased with pecans, submerged in chocolate, then drizzled with white chocolate.
“We call it a fork and knife apple, because there’s so much on there that you cannot just bite into the apple,” Sams said.
Northern Suga also offers corporate gifts, and provides its gourmet products for weddings, baby showers and birthday parties. You can follow @northernsuga on Facebook and Instagram.
