For some local women, taking care of business has meant taking care of each other's interests while opening their doors and minds to new opportunities.

South Point's First Christmas Open House Tour is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. The free event features 10 businesses in the village-all owned by women. Fliers with directions to the various shops will be available at all locations and each of the business owners will be on hand during the tour.

Door prizes, special discounts and refreshments will be offered throughout the day. People who visit every location on the tour will be automatically entered in drawings for grand prizes each worth $75.

"We hope it brings people into South Point Village and makes other people recognize South Point as a leader in our community," said Mendy McMaster, owner of Day's Gone By located at 414 Solida Road.

The idea for the tour came about after McMaster and the owner of Country Charm Gifts and Collectibles were talking shop one day. McMaster started her business three years ago but had no idea just how many women had taken a similar plunge.

"We really didn't realize until when we got together how many women own businesses in South Point Village," McMaster said. "It's pretty amazing that that many were entrepreneurs in the community-especially that many women."

The two decided to work together, rather than see each other as rivals.

"We just got to talking about being competitors and how we should compliment each other becauseŠour businesses could grow by complimenting each other," McMaster said.

McMaster's said her love for collectibles began as a girl growing up in her grandmother's antique-filled home. She now stocks her store with a line of primitives, antiques and home d\u00E9cor that differ from Country Charm's. If someone comes into her store looking for a particular item not offered at Day's Gone By, she will refer that customer to Country Charm.

Both women had plans to do a Christmas tour of their businesses, so they decided to invite other women business owners to do the same.

The idea was exciting to fellow business owner Terri Weed. Like McMaster, Weed started her business, Weedwackers Salon and Gift Shop at 106 Fourth Street West, about three years ago.

Although she and her daughters had styled hair for special occasions, Weed was 38 when she went back to school to become a cosmetologist. She said she hopes the tour will encourage other women to follow their dreams of becoming business owners despite the obvious obstacles.

"I think it's wonderful," said Weed, owner of located at 106 4th Street West. "I think with them knowing that the tourŠconsists of all ten women who went out and did it, (women will see) that South Point is growing. It's a small town, but it has a lot of possibilities. We haven't had anything like this ever in South Point."

Weed said that businesses like Snak Shak and South Point Floral had been in business for awhile, but there were five or six businesses that just opened within the past couple of years.

For the tour, Weedwackers will feature 10 to 20 percent off everything in the store as well as discounts on monthly tanning packages, stocking stuffers, Christmas primitives and a unique line of Californian bath salts.

Day's Gone By will have discounts throughout the day and new items available, including table runners and specialty Christmas collectibles. The first 25 customers on Saturday will also receive a free gift.

Businesses on the tour are Day's Gone By, Weedwackers Salon and Gift Shop, Country Charm Gifts and Collectibles, South Point Floral, Kelley's Korner, Pam's Cake Creations, Quilts and Things, Julie's Candles & Supplies, The Snak Shak and The Cookie Cutter.

For more information, contact McMaster at 377-4256 or Weed at 377-9999.