By Wendy Nilsen Pollitzer

Three new businesses opened at the old Firehouse on the corner of Craven and Scott Streets. At a soft opening on Friday,April 22, tourists and locals were eager to see the interior of the unique building, renovated and designed by Annie Ballance, proprietor of The Tooting Egret, The Bistro at The Tooting Egret and Fiori.

<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Profile-Alison-Klinakis-Exclusive-Floral-Designer-for-Fiori.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-147" title="Profile-Alison Klinakis, Exclusive Floral Designer for Fiori" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Profile-Alison-Klinakis-Exclusive-Floral-Designer-for-Fiori-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>

The building houses original artwork and a variety of spectacular retail items, an eatery that currently serves both breakfast and lunch, and a full-service florist.

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Annie Ballance, a local interior designer, has lived in Beaufort for eight years. She, like many of us in town,has dreamed of the old Fire House reopening. It’s a structure like no other (well, with the exception of MichaelRainey Antiques); and it’s a delight that Ballance has integrated a trio of creative businesses to dwell

<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Profile-Retail-at-The-Totting-Egret.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-142" title="Profile-Retail at The Tooting Egret" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Profile-Retail-at-The-Totting-Egret-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>in thehistoric building. All the businesses Retail at The Tooting Egret.will be supervised by GeneralManager Chapman Parker withSusan Nebelung as the administrativedirector.The Tooting Egret will be selling anassortment of sought-after decorativeand apparel pieces such as candles,rugs, furniture, coffee table books,baby clothes, rain boots and accentitems for every room in the home.  (See The Island News paper edition for entitre article)

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