Waechter's Silk Shop was purchased in 2005 by Joyce Yarling. I am the
third owner of Waechter's Silk Shop. Buying Waechter's Silk Shop was
a dream I never thought would happen. My mother started teaching me to
sew in 4-H when I was nine. Her mother had taught her to sew when she
was a child and believed it was a necessary survival skill and a God
given obligation of a mother. My mother passed that attitude on. Most
of my sewing was done for competition with the 4-H Dress Revues, County
Fair or the Make it With Wool Contest. My mom and I would travel the
hour to Houston to shop in the finest stores and check out the couture
garments that were from the European designers. I would copy their finishing
techniques. I also loved to follow fashion in every way. As I decided
what I wanted to do in my life I chose fashion merchandising and retailing.
I graduated with a degree in fashion merchandising and design and went
on to work at several major department and specialty stores. I loved
retail and all that it entailed. A new husband moved me to Asheville
where I became a huge fan of Waechter's Silk Shop. I was amazed that
such a sophisticated store was located in such a small town. I always
marveled at how I would love to own a store like that, but then who would
ever part with Waechter's if they owned it? Through a ton of events including
the loss of my new husband to colon cancer, I connected with Sally Hickerson
and the transaction was made.
Now I spend my days developing new ideas to promote Waechter's Silk
Shop and it's 70+ years of heritage. I enjoy taking all that I learned
in the corporate world of retailing for 22 years and watching it work
in my own business. Since 2005 when I bought the store we have remodeled
the space, redesigned the website, created 150 live samples and redefined
the merchandise mix. We now are regular contributors to Creative Needle
Magazine which is the premier magazine for sewing fine children's clothing.
Of course we have tons of the fabrics and patterns now for Heirloom and
Children's clothes. It is so rewarding to help customers create their
dream project or design a fabulous special occasion dress for their daughter's
wedding. I love to play with color and design especially if I can add
an unexpected, yet fashionable twist to the interpretation. Thanks to
the lineage of the women in my family I now get to live my dream as I
create the history of Waechter's in the 21st century. |
