Shopping in Thomasville

Born out of co-founders Todd Giatrelis's and Sarah Towne's frustration at hunting for a sandal shop amid the glitz of the Vegas strip, Flip Flop Shops helps customers free their toes with a one-stop boutique for comfortable sandals and shoes, quickly expanding across the nation with more than 30 locations. Owner Jason Swinford proudly strides his size 12 sandaled feet across the floor of his Governor's Square Mall shop, uniting visitors with stylish strapped footwear and sneakers from brands such as Flojos, O'Neill, Quiksilver, and Vans. Every aspect of the store is cultivated to convey a laid-back, beachy atmosphere, with a scent of suntan oil gracing the air, lively music playing in the background, and a distinct taste of salt on every surface.

Expert hands, marked by the evidence of careful labor, bring together frames with gilded baroque flourishes or sleek contemporary lines to shelter photos, paintings, mirrors, and cross-stitch samplers at Frames +. Computerized onsite mat cutting makes pieces seem to leap from the wall with color-complementing depth, drawing out the greens of a mountainscape or adding to the crayon signature on a fake diploma. Jerseys and souvenirs nestle in shadow boxes, and antique photos stay safe with conservation framing that preserves the visages of ancestors who traveled to America on the Mayflower or the barnacled back of a generous whale.: