S. Beach Street shops moving into town
BUSINESS
BY MARY LANASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
Three South Beach Street businesses are moving their stores into town in the hope of increasing visibility and attracting more customers. After being located at 7 South Beach St. since 1991, Pinwheels owner Beth Hanlon is moving Dec. 31 to 32 Centre St., the current address of Mallory Alfano. Pinwheels, owned by Hanlon for 19 years, carries clothing, accessories, blankets and toys for infants to children aged 10 years old. Although the new space is actually 400 square-feet smaller, Hanlon is excited about the big front windows and anticipates more foot traffic. Pinwheels will close Christmas Eve and reopen in March, as ususal, but this time in the downtown.

Liz Hughes opened Blue Beetle three years ago at 9B South Beach St. and is readying to move Jan. 1 to 12 Main St., the former location of K. Tager. Hughes, who named her store after her Volkswagen, sells clothing, pajamas, robes and jewelry for women, home accessories and soaps and lotions. She said part of her reason for relocating is all the construction along South Beach and Easton streets and a subsequent loss of hotel rooms in the area.

"Also I am feeling like the summer season is becoming shorter. Being in town won't be as seasonal for me," said Hughes, who added that her store will close just before Christmas and reopen in town next April.

The third shop in the block that is on the move is Parham's Gems of the Sea at 9A South Beach St. The shop, owned by Helga Watson, an off-season resident of Hawaii, carries pearls as its only merchandise. Manager Laura Fredericks said Parham's will relocate after 18 years on South Beach Street to a portion of the snazzy Coastal Vintage Home and Garden at 12 Oak St. The new shop is expected

to open next June. I