Spa La La used its front window to write pink words of encouragement to those with breast cancer. Messages like “fight like a girl” covered the Market Street storefront.
Spa owner Christal Picard said she knows many people who have been affected by cancer. Her mother’s best friend fought breast cancer, and her father is currently fighting leukemia. Andrea Dixon, a stylist at Spa La La, lost her father to cancer.
“If I had started listing them in the window, it would’ve been full,” Picard said.
The downtown business was one of several local “Pink Partners” supported breast-cancer research and detection by collecting donations, donning pink, decorating storefronts and offering discounts to patrons in pink.
Pink ribbons and balloons draped the front of Stewart’s Jewelry.
“We’ve been in business for 105 years. I’ve just seen so many people who have suffered and died. And I’ve seen so many people who have been blessed to be cured,” said Betty Stewart.
She and employee Robin Turner said the decorations were in honor of all of their past and present patrons affected by the disease.
“We’re glad to have the opportunity to do this for them and show our support,” said Turner.
Three businesses were recognized for their participation. First Bank on Second Street won overall for decorations that included pink pumpkins and a painted cityscape of local stores.
“Everybody pitched in,” said area executive associate Helen Pancake, who parked her pink-and-white Harley Davidson in front as part of the display. “We’re just showing some town spirit and community involvement. That’s what we’re all about.”
First Bank on John Small Avenue won best visibility and creativity. Employees started making decorations two weeks ago. They stayed late Thursday night then returned early Friday morning to complete the decorations.
The bank employees cut out pink letters to cover their bank name with the appropriate color.
Tammy Everett was the lucky employee elected to climb up and hang the sign.
“Both Jennifer and I are afraid of heights, but we convinced Tammy that she wasn’t,” said Larry Lang, branch manager.
Lang contributed his 1955 Plymouth Belvedere patrol car to the display. People stopped to peer into the windows or honked as they passed the display.
Organizer Tanya Dixon of Eastern Radiology was pleased with the participation this year. She said it made it hard to choose a winner.
“It’s just good to know the whole community is participating,” Dixon said. “Everywhere we went, we saw pink.”

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