Artifacts Gallery in Cambria will close its brick-and-mortar location on Jan. 3, 2027. Photo submitted
By Theresa-Marie Wilson
A retail space featuring both local talent and national artists in the commercial heart of Cambria will shutter its doors after more than three decades.
Artifacts Gallery, located at 775 Main Street, known for a wide collection of art, sculptures, gifts, jewelry, glass, and garden décor, will close after 33 years when both owner and founder Thad Markham and general manager Shelley Woeste retire effective on Jan. 3, 2027.
“It’s just been the absolute joy of my life to have it and run it,” Markham told Estero Bay News. “It’s been so exciting and fun. We’ve had the privilege of sharing our love of art with generations of customers, many of whom have become dear friends. We’re incredibly grateful for the loyalty, kindness, and support this community has shown us throughout the years.”
Not only does the business have a longstanding presence in Cambria, but the staff does as well. Woeste has been with the gallery for 32 years, Nicky Williams for 30 years, Jeremy Potter for 20 years, Lou Garcia for 12 years, and Octavia Dolan for seven years.
For Markham, these relationships have always meant far more than simply working together.
“After all these years, we’re not just coworkers; we’re family,” said Markham. “They have each played such an important role in making Artifacts what it is today. We’ve shared so much of our lives together, celebrated milestones, supported each other through difficult times, and built something that goes well beyond a business. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to share this journey with.”
That same sense of family has extended to the gallery’s customers, many of whom have returned to Cambria year after year.
The closing is a planned transition rather than a financially driven one. The store does well, but it is time to change paths.
“We’re not closing because business is slow or any other reason other than, we just feel like we we’ve been doing it quite long,” Markham, 58, said. “It’s time for us to move on and try something else. Shelley’s also retiring, and that’s a big part of why I’m retiring too. Because she she’s been the heart of the business, especially for the last 10 years. Having her want to retire has made me realize that I didn’t want to continue without her. She’s been such an amazing part of the business.”
The shop owes a great deal of its longevity to tourists as well. Cambria is a beloved place to visit, and tourism serves as an economic engine bringing in people from all over.
“Certainly, what we’ll miss most is the interaction with all the customers,” Markham said. “Having them come in and tell us that they come every year for their anniversary, or they come every year for Thanksgiving, and they always enjoy coming into our store. There’s been a lot of sad people coming in, seeing that that we’re not going to be there anymore. It’s kind of become a center location that people really associate with their time at the coast.”
Artifacts Gallery began in 1993, following an unexpected change in direction for Markham. Although he had earned a degree in engineering from University California Santa Barbara, he soon realized the profession wasn’t the right fit. Following the loss of his best friend, he found himself at a crossroads, uncertain about what came next and ready to try something different. Fortunately, his parents, who owned two Cambria businesses, Cambria Pines Trading Co. and Cambria Wildwood, offered to teach him the retail business. That experience gradually evolved into Artifacts Gallery.
“When we first started, we literally just had my kitchen table as a display,” Markham said. “We used to just sell posters and hats and whatever we could find that would sell. Our very first sale, I don’t remember what it was, but, my guess, it was probably a little framed $5 piece of art that we used to sell.”
Markham plans to spend part of his retirement supporting the business endeavors of his children.
Fans of the store still have an opportunity to peruse art and purchase loved pieces through the gallery’s online business at artifactsgallery.com under the leadership of Nathan Markham, Thad’s son, who will also maintain Artifacts Publishing that promotes and sells several artists to a network of 50 galleries.
Artist and daughter, Zoe Markum, has a mobile clothing and jewelry business called The Afterlife Shop selling “sustainably focused wearable art” at the weekly Thursday night SLO Farmers Market and various festivals (www.theafterlifeshop.com).
“I’m most interested in taking my knowledge and partnering with them and supporting them in their business adventures,” the proud father said.
After 30 plus years in the art business, Markham has seen artists and trends come and go. Two artist’s works have been sold in the store since the beginning — Bev Doolittle and Tim Cotterill, the latter is their most popular.
“We went from a kind of a low-end gift store, all the way up to a very high-end gallery for a while, where we sold only very expensive pieces,” Markham said. “Then we kind of came back down and settled somewhere in the middle. We’ve tried probably thousands of artists in the gallery over the years.”
Looking back, Markham feels lucky to have a crew that is like family, customers who have become a part of his life and a business that has brought joy to others.
“The thing about owning an art gallery is that everyone that comes in is typically there because they want to be there,” he said. “They are enjoying themselves and having a good time and experiencing some emotional connection with the art. That has made owning the gallery so wonderful. More than anything, we want to say thank you. It’s been an incredible 33 years, and we couldn’t have done it without you.”
A Retirement Sale will continue until closing with markdowns from 20 to 70% off on gallery merchandise.
“We hope people will stop in, say hello, share a memory, and perhaps find one last special treasure to take home,” Markham said. “While saying goodbye to our gallery is bittersweet, we’re excited about the next chapter of our lives and grateful for the extraordinary journey we’ve enjoyed.”
