Durham Mall Offers 'Something Special' For Holiday Shoppers

Sara Hobgood loves stained glass, but if she did not, she would have no trouble finding other types of angels in different shapes, sizes and colors at Something Special.

Angels are just one of the products you will find at the store in Northgate Mall. It is a temporary holiday store filled with the work of 58 talented craftspeople from the Triangle and beyond. There is everything from handmade jewelry and clothes to baked goods.

"It has something in here you can probably find for just about anybody," Hobgood said.

Something Special started with four women, who sold crafts out of their homes 20 years ago. Eventually, they added more crafters to their group and realized they needed a place to reach customers for the holidays.

Now, all the crafters take turns working shifts at the store. They each get the profits for their own work that sells, but organizers say profits are not the main reason they are in business.

"It just gives you that inner pleasure when someone comes in and comments how beautiful an item is. It's a good feeling," organizer Jane Manuszak said.

Something Special was originally scheduled to close on Dec. 16, but due to popular demand, it will stay open now until Dec. 22. The crafters plan to open the store again in the spring just in time for Easter.