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Terrapins owner promotes affordable style |
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Tuesday, 22 July 2008 |
 Gary Star, the owner of Terrapins on King Street, works at his computer before calling in more orders for dresses, tops and skirts that sell fast during the summer. Photo by Alisha Park
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by ANNE BAKER
News Desk Editor
Peace. It’s a state of tranquility; stillness; a mutual harmony between individuals and groups.
It’s also the last word on Gary Star’s business card, and it describes how he runs his shop Terrapins, the business on King Street easily recognized by the colorful skirts and dresses on display outside.
“This is my passion, I would say, just running a really cool hippie store,” Star said. “I don’t want to be rich, just surviving—happy and healthy.”
Originally from upstate New York, Star began selling clothes about 10 years ago to make a living. After saving enough money, he decided to escape the harsh winters of the north and re-locate to Myrtle Beach, where he sold clothing in the North Tanger Outlets.
Star said although he did a good amount of business during the tourist season, the long and hot summers were not for him.
He finally found not only the perfect climate, but his niche as well after being told by several people to give Boone a try.
“[Boone is] a great area to live in. It’s very open-minded and not too conservative,” Star said. “I plan to stay here forever.”
 | Star
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Star has now been in the area for a year and a half and works 75 hours per week.
Terrapins has become popular with Appalachian State University students
as well as tourists in search of items such as wrap skirts, long
bohemian dresses, and tie-dye tapestries.
Star said on average approximately 35 to 50 people visit his store per day, with busy days seeing about 60 people.
“I started [the business] from nothing, so I think that is fantastic,” he said.
Due to this gratefulness, as well as a non-greedy and non-materialistic
nature, Star said he has no problem committing random acts of kindness
in his store, and on occasion will sometimes drop prices on busy days.
“I know what it is like to be on a budget—students especially have to
work to pay rent and keep up with their books,” he said. “I’m very
specific on what I bring to the store, and I always buy low and sell
low.”
Star also brings more to the area than bohemian-style clothes—his love
and knowledge of eclectic music makes him a diverse individual.
“[My musical tastes] vary depending on what my mood is and depending on what the energy is in the store at that time,” he said.
James Taylor, Bob Marley, Sheryl Crow, Paul Simon, and the Grateful Dead are all artists he enjoys, Star said.
 Terapins is located next to Beanstalk at 362 West King St. Photo by Alisha Park
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He said he is a “Deadhead” and has seen 140 Grateful Dead shows, with
his first being in 1979 in Buffalo and his last being in 1994 in
Atlanta.
Star said he even met lead guitarist and vocalist Jerry Garcia once at a bar in Philadelphia.
With the fall semester at Appalachian beginning in August, Star said he
looks forward to the business students bring to his store.
He said tapestries were especially popular with students and has plans
to bring a large selection of new designs into the store.
During the winter months, Star will add hoodies and patchwork pants to the merchandise available at Terrapins.
“I think I’ve made a pretty big impact in Boone for being here a year and a half,” he said.
“Every sale is important to meand I would like to thank everyone who appreciates and supports [my store and me].”
Terrapins is located at 362 West King St., next to Beanstalk, and is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information, call 719-6543.
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