With the slam of her car door, Amy Wilkinson decided to go for a drive after quitting her job. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she drove aimlessly. She said to herself, ‘What did I do?’ She eventually found herself in Graham — North Main Street — to be exact. Amid her tears and blurry vision, she made out a sign that said “For Rent.”
The Main Line, as seen on Aug. 29, is located at 134 N. Main St. in downtown Graham.
“I saw this, and it was like a beacon,” Wilkinson said.
That beacon became The Main Line, an artisan good’s store that Wilkinson opened in 2014 on 134 N Main St.
Walking into The Main Line, wind chimes sing each time the door to the shop swings open. To the right, a customer can find earrings made from stained glass. Near the back, there are journals that look like they came out of a fantasy novel. All of these have one commonality: They are made by local artisans.
Wilkinson said she tries to look for all handmade goods but realized it wasn’t realistic, so she also hand-picks any items that are gently used or resold. All items need to possess a “uniqueness” quality, she said.
Now, every square inch of The Main Line is decked out in artisan goods, but it didn’t start that way. Wilkinson said when she opened her shop in 2014, she struggled to find artisans. Her shop was originally booth style, where artisans could come in and display their items.
“It started to look like a thrift store, but that wasn’t our mission,” Wilkinson said.
Now she said local artisans are coming to her.
The view of The Main Line right as a customer Cindi Mark walks in on Aug. 29. The wind chimes to the left are made by a local masseuse.
Wilkinson said her inspiration for the shop’s name was based on the historical trolley system that ran through Haw River, which locals would call “The Main Line.” Now with almost 11 years under her belt, Wilkinson said she wants to focus more on marketing and social media. In the past, Elon students have helped her with online engagement.
Emily Mortin ’18 worked for Wilkinson part-time in the summer of her junior year after seeing an ad on the Elon Job Network. She helped create The Main Line’s website, and Wilkinson even sells some of Mortin’s art in her shop.
“I feel like I helped her in some ways like she's helped me a lot,” Mortin said.
Wilkinson said she has also collaborated with Elon professor Elena Kennedy’s class, called ENT 3550: Entrepreneurship for the Greater Good, where seven students worked with Wilkinson to help generate ideas for the business to grow. One of these ideas was the creation of The Main Line’s new logo.
Decorations, such as this lantern made of paper, can be found all over the shop.
Wilkinson said she enjoys working with Elon students, as well as the local community. The Main Line has participated in numerous community-wide events — the most recent being the Graham Hoedown hosted Aug. 24. Wilkinson said within the last year, more business collaborations are happening.
“When people shop here, we tell them, ‘You're truly supporting the community,’” Wilkinson said.
Cindi Mark recently moved from New York to Mebane. She said she was looking to stop shopping at Homegoods and switch to shopping for local art and furniture.
“I stumbled upon this store and it’s a gem,” Mark said.
Rings located next to the checkout countertop on Aug. 29 are made by local artisans. Owner Amy Wilkinson said she strives to find and sell unique goods.
Mark said she has been to The Main Line three times in the past two weeks and loves how there was something new each time she visited.
Wilkinson said her favorite part about her job is the people. Wilkinson is originally from North Carolina but spent the majority of her adult life in California. When she returned back to her home state, Wilkinson said she struggled with making connections with people.
Now 11 years later, Wilkinson said she hopes to continue growing her business and hopes to one day open a second location.
“When I opened this shop, it's like, “Oh, here's my people!” Wilkinson said.