Turquoise Door brings more culture to the area

GREENFIELD — Folks in Greenfield now have access to more culture in the form of The Turquoise Door.

The Turquoise Door is the latest small business, opened by husband and wife duo Galen and Sybil Schwochow and Iowa artist Vicki Morlan.

“Turquoise is her (Sybil’s) favorite color to begin with, and she paints. She was taking lessons from Vicki and the two of them got together, throwing ideas around, and they approached me. I kind of gave the go-ahead,” Galen said.

Galen, who lives in Orient with his wife, found a building owned by Marty Daino and asked if there had been any inquiries. Daino said no, and Galen asked to have first dibs when he wanted to rent the space.

Thus, Morlan, who lives in Winterset and plans to move to Greenfield, and the Schwochows began filling their newly rented space in February.

Business

Both Morlan and Sybil, who had been a K-12 librarian, had business experience in the past.

“I had a gallery in Winterset, and I needed more room,” Morlan said. “It was like a walk-in closet with a toilet.”

“I had a lot of consignment furniture and things that I was consigning somewhere else,” Sybil said.

“We thought we’d give it a shot,” Morlan continued.

After about a month and a half of moving items into the space, discovering new ways to display products on the way, the trio opened The Turquoise Door on St. Patrick’s Day.

The business is located at 362 Public Square in Greenfield, and is noticeable because of the bright and airy blue color along the edge of the front door. The windows are decorated with various products, and the brick walls inside the space boast original artwork by both Morlan and Sybil, as well as art from others in Iowa or further.

There are handmade wind chimes, indoor and outdoor home decor items, incense, candles, antiques, quilts and the like available for purchase at the store. And, people who have items to sell can take them there for consignment.

“We’re picky about what comes in here, but we offer those that want to sell items, they can bring it in and display it,” Galen said. “We never really know what we’ll have in this store.”

“We want to keep it fresh, so if someone in town wants to come in here, they know there’s something different,” Morlan said.

Art

The three plan to work with Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield to boost business in the area.

“We’re working with the Warren Cultural Center, and when they have things going on, we will be open too,” Sybil said.

They also hope to offer private and public painting opportunities, coloring groups and possibly a coffee bar.

“We wanted something that wasn’t repeating what they already have here, with the cultural center and everything,” Morlan said. “I think we’re trying to bring in more of the arts.”

Morlan and the Schwochows all said they wanted to bring something to town for both children and adults to do, as there aren’t as many businesses along the square as there should be.

“There’s not enough in the square for people to do,” Galen said. “We have had very good turnout. And, we’ll get more foot traffic when the weather warms up.”

While the group basks in the excitement and anxiety of opening the business with such a quick turnaround, they are enjoying the earthy and relaxing atmosphere they tried creating, which includes a long table down the center of the front space where the magic of art creation happens.

Morlan, who has received art scholarships in Des Moines, was also the Winterset Arts Center chair for more than a year. She worked in the newspaper advertising industry for a time before doing more artistic freelance work.

“I came here because they were offering me a chance for a better life and a better life for my daughter,” Morlan said. “Here, we’ve been welcomed. I can’t believe it.”

To contact Morlan or the Schwochows at The Turquoise Door, call 641-743-2300, email at theturquoisedoor@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page at The Turquoise Door Greenfield.