On Russell Street, a new gift shop held its ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.
Best friends Alicia Harwell and Morgan Stonecypher said they opened Two Flamingos’ doors on Nov. 1 after dreaming of owning a business together. Harwell said the duo saw a need for an affordable gift shop in Starkville and wanted to fill that gap.
Last Thursday afternoon, their friends and family, local shoppers and Greater Starkville Development Partnership ambassadors gathered around the store’s displays of jewelry, wedding gifts, men’s toiletries, Valentine’s Day-themed accessories, kitchenware and colorful candles. 
“We picked out things that we like (for the store),” Harwell said, “things that we think that nobody else in town has, things we think everybody else would like … what would be fun, girly stuff.”
The owners explained how they created the eccentric title for their business.
“We came up with the name together, just brainstorming,” Harwell said. “We wanted something cute and girly, and so, we thought about flamingos and how pretty they are, and there’s two of us.”
Harwell and her husband also own Tough Guys Haircuts in Starkville, while Stonecypher manages a home health agency. The gift store’s owners call Eupora, Mississippi, home, and Stonecypher currently resides in Starkville.
The Two Flamingos team experienced its first Christmas season shortly after opening the shop. Harwell said the community support during the holidays was “better than (she) expected.” 
Stonecypher and Harwell noted their bestsellers.
“The So Delta candles have been great,” Stonecypher said. “Made in Greenville (Mississippi) … tons of earrings, anything girly you can think of, pink and frilly.”
The shop also sells high-quality accessory brands, Ronaldo and Ella Stein. 
“We also have Ella Stein jewelry, which is real diamonds, and they’re affordable, so that has done very well for us,” Stonecypher said. 
Resident Cyndi Brown attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and browsed the shop’s selection afterward. Brown said she came to support her longtime friend, Harwell, in her new business adventure. 
“Well, Alicia and I have been best friends for 20-something years,” Brown said, “and I mean, we’ve supported each other through thick and thin and still do it. The things that they’ve ordered and got in here is just amazing.”
Brown said she purchased a Lily Pulitzer bag set and wine cooler from Two Flamingos to gift her granddaughter for Christmas. The shopper commended the store’s affordability, saying Two Flamingos sells a variety of items for all age groups at inexpensive prices. 
Two Flamingos is located in the Russell Street shopping center near Vace Clothing. For more information, go to its Facebook page.