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Emporium takes advantage of downtown resurgence
In business pic
Emporium owner Dana McGarry adjusts the shelves at her vintage boutique.

Name of business: Emporium

Type of business: Vintage style for modern life

Location: 228 E. Main St., Turlock

Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Contact info: 250-0540, www.emporium228.com, facebook.com/emporium228, emporium228@gmail.com

History of business: For nearly a year, Dana McGarry has headed the Turlock Downtown Property Owners' Association.

But now, with the opening of her new vintage boutique Emporium, McGarry isn’t just leading the TDPOA – she’s also a member.

“Now I’ve got some skin in the game,” McGarry said.

McGarry said she was driven to open her own business after seeing the resurgence in downtown Turlock over the past year, and the successes of other small businesses.

“I was inspired by them,” McGarry said. “I was really lucky that business is booming in downtown Turlock.”

When Beautiful Reflections moved to a larger space, McGarry snapped up the site for Emporium, which opened Nov. 10. Already, McGarry said customers are enjoying the shop, commenting on the warm ambiance and unique items for sale.

McGarry said she will continue to work as the DTPOA chief three days a week.

Business specialty: At its heart, Emporium is a vintage furniture store.

But more than that, it’s an active studio where McGarry repurposes, repairs, and repaints old pieces to upcycle orphaned furniture. She specializes in painting that furniture with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, which is also for sale in-store.

“I’m actually painting when I’m in the store,” McGarry said as she worked on a candlestick.

For those who would like to join in, Emporium hosts chalk paint workshops regularly.

Emporium also vends a range of locally made goods, as well as pieces produced with integrity elsewhere. Most of the store’s stock is recycled, vintage, organic, or otherwise green.