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Silk Garden to close after two decades downtown
Silk Garden
Terry Newcomb is closing her downtown store, The Silk Garden, after over 20 years of operating in Turlock. - photo by ANGELINA MARTIN/The Journal

Since The Silk Garden opened its downtown Turlock doors in the spring of 1996, owner Terry Newcomb has seen countless neighboring shops come and go throughout the years. Now, Newcomb is preparing a farewell of her own, closing down the store that has connected her to the community for over 20 years.

“I’ve been crying since the customers started walking in and realized we’re closing,” said Newcomb.

The Silk Garden has served not only as a spot for shoppers to find a wide selection of silk arrangements and home décor, but also as a gathering place for those with like minds when it comes to interior design, resulting in countless friendships made between Newcomb and her customers, and sometimes even between customers themselves.

“I had one set of customers from Fresno come in at the same time as another set from here in town who didn’t know each other, and when they found out we were closing they began hugging each other and crying,” said Newcomb. “They said, ‘What are we going to do now?’”

Along with the bonds that have taken years, and sometimes minutes, to create inside The Silk Garden, Newcomb prides herself in the homes that her business has touched throughout her tenure as a home decorator. Her store is one that has been on Main Street the longest, she said, and one of the only home décor shops to offer a personal touch of design for those who utilized Newcomb’s decorating skills.

“We’ve been the only store with full service design, where you can have someone come in, walk through and help you decorate from top to bottom and get that individual look,” said Newcomb.

While customers will certainly miss her flair for decorating, Newcomb’s connection with those who shop at The Silk Garden will not be forgotten.

“We have heard repeatedly from customers, ‘Sometimes we shop at other places and can find what we want, but we never have anyone that cares. When we come into The Silk Garden, everybody cares,’” said Newcomb. “It’s the people that I’m going to miss the most, and you only get that if you live in a small town.”

As far as why Newcomb has decided to close up shop, she said that it was simply time to retire.

“The stars aligned, and we’re ready to hit the golf course more,” she said. “Everything came together at the right time.”

After retiring, Newcomb plans to do some light travelling and spend time with her grandchildren, she added.

The Silk Garden’s last day of business will be June 24, and the store will be holding an in-store and sidewalk sale June 19-24. Sales are available at the shop prior to its final week in business as well.