After running his screen printing business from home for the past several years, Mike Craft of Tarboro has moved to the downtown Tarboro area and has expanded into a new business, Caroline's, which specializes in customized creations and unique gifts.

"The core of the business is still screen printing," said Craft. "But we also do embroidery work and use sublimation to customize and personalize just about anything."

Craft said he was looking to expand his growing business when he found an ideal space at 412 N. Main St., the former location of the The Wild Hare.

"We were looking around and came across this building and really liked it," said Craft. "I love being in Downtown Tarboro."

Craft, who spent more than 15 years in retail management before starting his own business, said that the new location gave him more space for his printing equipment and allowed him the space to add a variety of merchandise, which he can personalize.

"We are stocking alot of products that we can personalize," said Craft. "Everything from clothing and hats to pillowcases, towels, purses, bags, glassware, decals and picture frames."

Craft said that graduation season this year was particularly busy.

"We about sold out of monogramed totebags, pillowcases and towels during graduation," said Craft. 'Some of these kids going off to college this year are going to have more personalized towels than they will know what to do with."

Craft said that he moved into the location in Febuary. After some minor renovations, Craft opened the retail section in the front of the store in the first week of June.

"Now that we opened the storefront, we are getting a lot of walkthrough traffic and we can really move forward with the retail aspect of the business."

Craft said that the new location will let more people know about what type of services he offers, like designing and printing apparal for local sports teams (Craft does work with many of the schools in Edgecombe County), businesses or events, as well as the advantage of having these items done locally.

"You don't have to pay to have them shipped for you," said Craft, who did the "Got Melons?" shirts for last year's Cantelope Festival. "And if you find out that you needed one or two more printed, I can get them done that day and get them right out to you.

"You are not going to get thst type of service out of town."

Caroline's is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Craft can be reached at 823-5504.