<p>Summer is still hanging on, with balmy temperatures and plenty of sunshine.</p><p>But walking through the cozy galleries of Take Root Country store, it’s all about fall.</p><p>Sunflowers and fallen leaves and, of course, pumpkins of all kinds fill the Greenwood mainstay. Friendly rustic scarecrows populate tables, shelves and benches. The scents of apple, pumpkin spice, cinnamon and cloves hang in the air. The twangy banjo and fiddle of bluegrass music follows you from room to room.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery<p>Take Root welcomes the season of hayrides, apple orchards and crisp weather with its annual Fall Open House.</p><p>As the store celebrates the start of its 25th year in Greenwood, the hope is to welcome guests back with the decor and gifts that they’ve been known for, modifying things slightly to maximize safety during the pandemic.</p><p>“It’s a lot of fun to see everyone at once. Sometimes, there are customers that only come in during these open houses, so we only see them a few times a year. A lot of our customers are like old friends, and it’s a chance to catch up,” said Jackie Eanes, who co-owns Take Root with her husband, Scott.</p><p>The Eaneses opened Take Root Country Store in 1996, starting by attending craft shows and other events. The following year, the business expanded into a kiosk in the Greenwood Park Mall, and then again into a store location within the mall.</p><p>With a focus on country and primitive home accessories, Take Root built up its customers. People could come to the store find everything from framed prints, braided rugs and curtains to handmade soy candles and quilted handbags. Everywhere visitors looked, they could find slices of Americana craftsmanship on display.</p><p>“We’re offering home decor and accessories. We’re not as much into the bigger piece items — it’s most smaller pieces such as curtains, lamps, those kinds of things,” Jackie Eanes said. “And right now with the fall season, it’s a lot of pumpkins and scarecrows.”</p><p>By 2011, the Eaneses were ready to expand again. They found an ideal location in the Old Town area of Greenwood, and went to work filling the space with their signature items.</p><p>Open houses have always been a way to celebrate at Take Root, as this is the 15th year they have hosted the events, Scott Eanes said. The store routinely has three each year — one in the spring, one in the fall, and a big celebration for the Christmas holidays.</p><p>Bringing people in for the events is a chance to refresh, Jackie Eanes said.</p><p>“For the changing seasons, it’s our chance to show off what’s new,” she said.</p><p>With this year’s spring open house postponed due to the pandemic, the fall event takes on even greater significance, Jackie Eanes said. At the same time, it has forced them to reassess how the events unfold.</p><p>This year’s open houses have been expanded from two days to four days, to help spread out crowds and help people distance in the store. Normally, the Eaneses have refreshments, such as dip mixes and cheese balls that they sell in the store, available for people to sample.</p><p>But to avoid having people touching food and serving areas, they’ve put that feature on the shelf for 2020, Scott Eanes said.</p><p>“Due to COVID, we just have to do a little bit less,” he said.</p><p>Still, the open house will still feature all of the exciting products they normally do. And people will also be treated to one of their most popular aspects of the events each year — Take Root’s signature door prizes.</p><p>“Everyone loves the fact that we have instant-win door prizes. Everyone gets something when they walk in the door,” Jackie Eanes said. “Hopefully, that makes up for the lack of treats to give out.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="If you go" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p><strong>Take Root Country Store fall open house</strong></p><p>What: A four-day extravaganza of country, primitive and farmhouse fall decor and garden metal works, as well as door prizes for all who attend.</p><p>Where: 202 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood</p><p>When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday</p><p>What to know: By expanding to four days of the open house, organizers hope to spread visitors out and ensure safe distancing. People are asked to remember social distancing guidelines and to wear a mask.</p><p>Information: <a href="http://facebook.com/takerootcountrystore">facebook.com/takerootcountrystore</a></p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
