Shopping

The morning after Halloween, downtown Turlock gets an early start on holiday shopping. Shop the Blocks returns Sunday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Main Street. For anyone hoping to find a gift that doesn’t come from the same online search results, it’s a reason to spend a Sunday browsing close to home.

There is a breakfast option, too, but it has different hours and requires its own ticket. Here is how to plan the day, what local shop owners are saying, and a few things to ask before carrying those purchases home.

Sunday’s Hours and Where to Start

The Turlock Journal’s October 21 report confirms this is the event’s 12th year. It also reports that Ceres-based Legacy Limousine will provide shuttle service again. Follow the participating merchants’ announcements for this year’s stops; an old route map isn’t a reliable plan for Sunday.

• Shopping: November 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., along Main Street in downtown Turlock.
• Breakfast: Center Street Grill, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with advance ticket purchases through the restaurant.
• A starting point: Pick one store you want to visit first, then work outward on foot instead of moving the car for every stop.

If you haven’t explored this part of town lately, our Downtown Turlock guide can help you put the streets and nearby stops together. Leave enough time to browse between purchases. Window displays are part of the outing, and you don’t need to finish an entire gift list in one afternoon.

Breakfast Has Its Own Tickets

Center Street Grill’s announcement lists an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 120 N. Center Street, Turlock.

Adult tickets are $35; children ages 6-13 are $15, and children 5 and younger are free. The restaurant says the ticket includes breakfast, one drink and entry into its merchandise raffle. Call 209-634-5100 or stop in to purchase tickets. Ask the restaurant directly about remaining availability and any dietary needs before paying.

An early breakfast leaves the afternoon open for shopping. If you prefer to browse first, remember that the buffet ends four hours before Shop the Blocks does. The breakfast ticket is for the restaurant’s event; it should not be confused with an admission charge for the whole downtown shopping day.

Why This Weekend Matters to Merchants

Behind the holiday displays, some downtown businesses are coming through a difficult sales year. In the Journal’s reporting, Candace Gonsalves of Farm House and Jenny Roots Sousa of Rustic Roots described how much they depend on the final quarter. Candace opened her business in 2015; Jenny opened hers in 2013.

That doesn’t make a purchase an obligation. It does make Sunday a useful chance to compare an item in person, see its size and finish, and ask someone who knows the stock whether it suits the person you have in mind.

Farm House is at 311 E. Main Street, Turlock. Rustic Roots is nearby at 231 E. Main Street, Turlock. These are two places to start, rather than a complete list of participating businesses.

Rustic Roots’ own website describes a mix of furniture, home decor, gifts and custom work. Jenny’s account of starting the business is worth a read: she was working in a restaurant when an interest in rustic furniture led her toward painting, building and contractor school. The store grew out of that hands-on work.

A Few Questions Before Checkout

A little preparation helps when you are buying weeks before a gift will be opened. Put the names of your recipients and a spending limit in your phone before you leave. For clothing, bring sizes; for something going on a shelf or wall, bring measurements.

• Ask about returns. Find out the deadline, whether a gift receipt is available, and whether seasonal or sale merchandise has different rules.
• Check the full price. Leave room for tax, breakfast and any other stops you plan to make.
• Plan for larger purchases. If you find furniture or something awkward to carry, ask about pickup or delivery before buying. Services and charges vary by store.

For more places to browse or a meal after the shopping, use our Turlock Shopping & Dining guide. Start with the shops you are most curious about, and check their own announcements as Sunday approaches for event specials and participating-store details.