By LEILA S. CASE
www.americustimesrecorder.com

PLAINS — Former President Jimmy Carter cut the ceremonial ribbon that officially opened Honey Hush, Plains newest business, on the morning of Sept. 23.
“This is the building where Daddy had his business in 1931,” said Carter to the large crowd gathered in front of the ladies’ apparel and gift shop located at 103 Main St. in the heart of Plain’s historic business district.
Carter then asked everyone to bow their heads in prayer, and afterwards snipped the pretty green ribbon with the assistance of Haley Harris, store owner.
Harris’ mother-in-law, Ellen Harris welcomed everyone and recognized family and friends, expressing appreciation for their hard work and support to help renovate the interior space and ready it for the grand opening.
“Haley had a vision to open a boutique offering ladies’ apparel at affordable prices and gift shop here in Plains and with everyone’s hard work and support, everything fell into place,” said Ellen Harris. “We are very blessed and give all the credit to God.”
Haley Harris, a stylish young woman, said she has always been interested in chic apparel and accessories,  but at affordable prices. “I wanted to make these items available to others and open a boutique,” she said, explaining the name Honey Hush is a moniker southern women have used for years.
In addition to clothing, the boutique offers a number of items Harris personalizes in house with monograms such as purses, varied acrylics and attractive T-shirts. She also stocks scented candles bearing labels of Plains scenes along with notecards with drawings of Plains, attractive jewelry and other gift items.
Some of the apparel lines are Picot, Entro, Buckhead Betty, Umgee, Honey Me, as well as Southern Attitude long and short sleeve knit shirts.
Harris and her husband Chad Harris and other family, friends and local residents did all the renovation of the interior. The shop is attractively decorated with an overall rustic theme, using items that have sentimental value such as the long, L-shaped checkout counter constructed of wood from a barn that once stood on the Bill Medlock farm outside of Plains that was blown down in a storm. The monogram room is made from the barn’s tin roof, while vintage house shutters were converted into attractive clothes racks. The walls are painted a soft blue-gray. Other appointments include an oversize tin clock and circa 1930s ladies’ vanity.
Honey Hush store hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.