Type of business: Gift shop

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location: 151 Thor Street, Turlock

Contact information: 209-669-9009

Specialty: High end yarn

History of business:

Charlene Fry has always wanted to own a shop of her own, and that dream was finally realized in May when she opened Needful Things.

After renting a space to sell items in her friend’s Oakdale store, Fry decided to “just go for it.” Her store carries a wide range of products, from high end yarn to French and organic soaps.

Eight vendors currently rent spaces in Needful Things, selling items including furniture, antiques and other decorative items, many of which are found at estate and yard sales.

“We have vendors so that there’s a variety here that people can find,” said Fry, who describes the store’s style as “country.”

“One of my priorities was to not match up with the other country stores in town and have different things than them,” she continued.

Though country is the shop’s overarching theme, the vendors pick and choose items to sell based upon their own liking. For example, one vendor sells her own artwork along with décor items. Another prefers to paint the furniture she finds, while a different vendor chooses to keep antique pieces in their original condition.

Although Needful Things isn’t located on Main Street, Fry said that other downtown shops have been incredibly helpful. She often collaborates with stores like Rustic Roots and Farmhouse, with the shops sending customers each others’ way when they can’t find what they’re looking for.

In addition to country home décor, Needful Things also offers other gifts, including old fashioned taffy, loose leaf tea and knitting and crochet classes. The classes are open to knitters of all levels and are $20 for a two hour lesson and $10 for one hour. Sign-ups are available inside the shop.

“I wanted the store to be different and have the downtown experience of going into a store and finding unique things,” said Fry.