Downtown Turlock shoppers bid farewell to summer trends at the End of Summer Sale as 11 Main Street merchants rid themselves of summer inventory in preparation for fall.
Envy Fine Clothing, Emporium, Glitz Fine Clothing, Farm House and Just Cause Consignment were a few of the many businesses offering discounted merchandise. Community members and out-of-towners alike strolled the streets in search of deals and items unique to the downtown area.
“There’s a better variety downtown, and I love the atmosphere,” said Christina Silveira, who regularly travels to Turlock’s downtown area to do her shopping.
Friends Makenzie Neves and Leanna Bogetti prefer shopping downtown rather than at the city’s department stores in order to support local businesses.
“Supporting the community is a big piece of why we do our shopping here,” said Bogetti.
While many tend to travel to downtown’s nightlife venues on the weekend, Farm House owner Caley Rutherford was glad to see the downtown businesses come together and offer a weekend retail event for the community.
“Since we’ve opened, we’ve always wanted to be involved with the other stores and have events together,” said Rutherford.
A Downtown Business Owners Alliance was recently developed in order to give downtown business owners a voice in the community.
“We all talk and support the other businesses, and they support us,” said Rutherford.
Joy Dravecky Jewelry recently moved to a new location in downtown Turlock, and employee Brenna Sill echoed Rutherford’s statement on the camaraderie between the downtown businesses.
“Our neighbors have been really welcoming,” said Sill. “We help each other out on social media, and we send customers each other’s way if we don’t have what they’re looking for.”
Joy Dravecky Jewelry employee Becca Panarra also emphasized the importance of shopping locally, and hosting events such as the End of Summer Sale to keep the community engaged in downtown shopping.
“It’s incredibly important to shop locally,” said Panarra. “It keeps jobs in our community, and people don’t realize how crucial it is…people with businesses, this is their livelihood.”
The downtown End of Summer Sale continues until 5:30 p.m. today, and also includes businesses such as Rustic Roots, Treasure Hunters, Crivelli’s Shirts, DIGS, Tsg Home Décor and Carr’s Cleaners.
