Main Street Gallery opens its doors
by the Stockton Sentinel

Classical music being played softly in the background invites customers and friends into the old world feel of new business, Main Street Gallery located at 410 Main Street in Stockton.  Owner Linda Roy Cross is excited about this venture and it shows in her tastefully decorated showroom filled with one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

Linda and her husband, Randy, live in Tucson, Arizona and commute back and forth to Linda's hometown of Stockton.  Their son, Christopher, is attending TMP as a sophomore this year, and son David Monarchi lives in Broomfield, Colorado.

For the remainder of the year, Linda will be in Stockton to greet and visit with customers in the Gallery.  She is also busy working on the Grand Opening, which will be held sometime in November.

There is an array of art work ranging from American Indian items, brass, bronze, pottery, blown glass, jewelry, beaded serving pieces made by Cross, imports, textiles, china and crystal.  Linda states that she has something for everyone's tastes and pocketbooks with pieces coming from Italy, France, and Stockton.  She is particularly excited about showcasing local artisans and feels it will be a great tourist draw for the area.

Linda said that Stockton has nice little niches all around town and hopes that her gallery just adds to the historic and interesting atmosphere.  This shows in the building that has stood on Stockton's Main Street for more than 100 years.  The wooden floor is original as is the plaster on the west wall.  The east wall is exposed brick which makes a lovely background for the artwork, some of which have very interesting stories behind them.  Ask Linda about the series of three displayed by the front door.

There are a few ideas Linda is working on for the loft in the building, with some of the public giving her suggestions for a year-round Christmas store and a possible coffee shop.  Linda is busy working out the details on what she plans to do with the area.

The Stockton Area Arts Council will be helping Linda when she commutes back to Tucson.  Members will keep the store open during regular business hours.  Right now the hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week.