A new salon featuring Paul Mitchell products has opened in downtown Decatur.

Fringe at 143 E. Prairie Ave. offers a full array of salon services.

In the back, it features a set of relaxing services in what is called the Wash House. The room provides a quiet, dimly lit atmosphere where no talking is allowed.

"If you're having a bad day, it can really help you relax," said co-owner Alyssa Merritt, who opened the store along with business partner Lindsay Storm.

Fringe employs eight stylists and three receptionists, Merritt said.

Appointments can be made Monday through Saturday, with stylists on hand usually from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Call 424-0079.

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After his Monticello shop was damaged by flooding this summer, George Sandwell decided to move his interior design business to downtown Decatur.

Sandwell found a spot at 127 N. Main St., next to the Lincoln Square Theatre to open Shop of the Silver Deer just in time for the holiday shopping season. The store offers many potential gifts that can be used in home decorating.

Moving to downtown Decatur has been a good fit, Sandwell said.

"It's one of the strongest growth markets in downstate," Sandwell said. "They're developing a lot of small businesses here."

The store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Call 424-1540.

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The village of Moweaqua hopes to cash in on the festive spirit with its Old Fashioned Christmas on Main celebration, scheduled for Saturday. Dec. 6.

Shoppers can browse among 40 vendors offering gift items, and there will be free cookies and hot chocolate served in The Firehouse Auction Center and the American Legion building. Food vendors include the Methodist Women offering homemade cookies, while other vendors serve everything from buffalo wraps to beef stew and barbecue.

Santa will arrive during a parade that begins at 2 p.m., and there's a live Nativity scene downtown starting at 3 p.m.; the village Christmas tree will be lit at 4:30 p.m. Children can decorate an ornament for the tree from noon to 3 p.m., and for every food pantry item kids donate, they will receive a ticket for a prize drawing.

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The Decatur SCORE chapter is offering a workshop to provide information about small businesses in a changing economy.

Topics include understanding and choosing a business entity, online advertising and financial strategies.

The workshop is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at ADM-Scovill Hall at Millikin University.

The cost is $25.

Call Carroll Moma at 424-6296 for more information or to register.

On Biz, published Fridays in the Herald & Review, highlights business developments. Contact Tony Reid at treid@herald-review.com or 421-7977 or Chris Lusvardi at clusvardi@herald-review.com or 421-7972.