True Aiken is relocating.
The store is moving to the space at 146 Laurens St. S.W., where Cyndi’s Sweet Shoppe used to be based. That business closed for good last year.
According to an April 8 post on True Aiken’s Facebook page, “We can’t wait to return and bring you all of the Aiken merch (plus more) that you’ve been looking for! We are planning to reopen in early May.”
True Aiken made its debut in January at 311 Hayne Ave. S.W., offering Aiken-inspired clothing, accessories and gifts.
Glassware, mugs, tea towels, tote bags, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and more were available for purchase.
But on March 16 there was a fire in the historic Crofts Block building where the store and other businesses were based.
A Facebook post afterward reported that True Aiken was “still intact,” but suffered “a lot of smoke damage.”
True Aiken offered its merchandise at the Aiken Spring Steeplechase. Shoppers can continue to purchase the store’s products by visiting trueaiken.com.
Sarah Dodge, a dressage horse trainer, is the owner of True Aiken. She and her husband, Jason Hays, live on a farm in Windsor with their son, Ryder Hays.
Jason and Ryder helped Dodge get True Aiken ready for its launch.
Three Monkeys Fine Gifts has reopened in Crofts Block, a two-story, 11,292-square-foot-structure that was built more than 100 years ago, according to Aiken County land records.
A Fox’s Tale and Epona remain closed in the wake of the fire. Epona is scheduled to reopen this summer, according to a March 28 post on its Facebook page.
The Aiken Standard reported that the cause of the fire was an electrical problem. There also were no reported injuries to the people in the building at the time or firefighters.
