Stop in at Trims & Treasures on Main

Sheila Ellenberg and Johnny Gee recently joined forces to create the new Trims & Treasures at 613 Main St. in downtown Garland.

Ellenberg, who has been doing hair for 25 years, had worked at the Lemmond’s salon that previously occupied that location for three years. When she found out that Lemmond’s was moving to a new location, she knew she wanted to rent the space.

When she made the decision to lease the salon, Ellenberg had no idea how she would fill so much space, but she said that she began to pray about it every day. She had even gone to her church and asked the assistant pastor to pray with her.

She soon met Gee when she purchased a chair that he was selling. When she went to pick up the chair, she realized that he was selling furniture and antiques out of a storage building.

He told her that he had more items for sale and that he was about to rent a larger storage unit. That started a two-hour visit that led to Ellenberg’s idea that Gee should be the one to fill the extra space at the salon. He checked out the space and liked it.

“I thought, ‘he’s nearly as crazy as I am or this is a God thing,’” Ellenberg said.

She soon found out that he had also been praying with a group from his church for a door to open for him after being laid off from his job as sales manager at a motorcycle shop.

To put food on the table, Gee had purchased some items at estate sales and sold them.

“I thought it was fun and my dad had always been into antiques and something was drawing me toward that so that’s what I started doing – going out and buying stuff and reselling it,” he said.

Neither Ellenberg or Gee had any doubt that they were supposed to open the shop together. Gee came up with the name Trims & Treasures and they moved in and opened July 11.

“This isn’t an antique shop. This isn’t a furniture shop. This is treasures,” he said.

He has a variety of items from the 1800s to the present and adds new items often. Gift items and accessories including jewelry, scarves, candles and lotions will be added soon.

“This is a Christian-based store and that’s the reason we got here,” Gee said. “I’m not real familiar with downtown Garland, but once I started coming here and getting to know downtown Garland and the people here, I love it.”

Aesthetician Natalie Berreles had also been looking for a new location when a neighbor introduced her to Ellenberg. She went in for a visit and soon joined the group. She specializes in eyelash extensions but also provides skin care advice, facials, waxing, body wraps and more.

“I know why we’re here and what brought all of us to this point,” Ellenberg said. “I love downtown Garland and I love being across the street from Dos Banderas and Main Street Deli and next to the café.” They’re just wonderful.”

The new business will host a grand opening celebration with a Halloween theme from noon – 7 p.m. Oct. 24. The shop will be decorated and there will be fun, games, prizes and BBQ.