About the Owner, Joyce Yarling

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.