From time to time almost every website has to be taken off line to do some really heavy maintenance. That is, re-working and modifying some major files or databases. Ours is usually down maybe once a month for some major work. Usually around 2 am or so, Eastern time (-0500 GMT) and the duration is anywhere from one to three hours. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less.

We are currently undergoing some major modifications. That is, we are adding new products for you. Usually maintenance can be done without taking down the web site. But when new types of merchandise are added, we must, basically, change the whole database. That's why the down time.

If you've been to the shop and got the "down for maintenance" page, remember, it's only for a few hours at most. If it's longer than that, it may be you!

It's very possible your browser is storing that message in it's cache and not letting you see the real page. Everyone should periodically clean their temporary files out. Especially if you begin to notice that your browser is getting slower and slower. Cleaning your cache of old files can noticeably speed up your web surfing if you haven't done it for a while!

When viewing the Internet, web browsers save text information and images locally to your computer of web sites that you frequent. This allows the web site to be displayed as quick as possible and prevents the download of the same images over and over again. It's a good thing! Usually!

However, this can sometimes cause pages to update incorrectly or not display at all. If you need to clear your browser cache, follow these steps:


To clear your cache:

1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options. The Internet Options box should open to the General tab.

2. On the General tab, in the Temporary Internet Files section, click the Delete Files button. This will delete all the files that are currently stored in your cache.

The Delete Files button


3. Click OK, and then click OK again.

Tip: You can adjust your Internet Explorer settings to automatically clear the cache whenever you close Internet Explorer. Go to the Tools menu, and click Internet Options. Click the Advanced tab. In the "Settings" box, scroll down to the section labeled "Security," and click to check the box next to the "Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed" option. Click OK to finish. This option does not delete cookies, but it will clear your cache of other files when you close your browser.