Close to Closing, Silken Wool Here to Stay in Madison

Silken Wool, a high-end store selling Persian rugs, home furnishings, and gifts, recently put up signs announcing that it was closing. However, due to lease negotiations resulting in a renewed lease, the store is now staying open.

Located at 6 Green Village Rd., Silken Wool has been open in Madison for three and a half years. The owners, Bruce and Sussan Ghorbanian, were able to renegotiate the lease with their landlord, allowing them to stay on.

"When we put up the sign saying we were closing, people flooded in, telling us how beautiful the store was and asking us not to close," said Bruce Ghorbanian. "Our customers were so sad, it just broke our hearts. One lady came in, hugged me and said, 'This store has to stay open.'"

The community's strong reaction and show of support was a big factor in the Ghorbanians' decision to remain open, and now they are here to stay: "The store is fully stocked, so come on in and say hi," said Bruce Ghorbanian.

Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays from noon to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Silken Wool is also open on Sundays by appointment.

 "We sell pure silk as well as silk and wool combination carpets from Iran in antique and contemporary designs," said Bruce Ghorbanian. "And we have an exquisite collection of glass vases and bowls from around the country, as well as wood carvings and sculptures. Everything we have is very unique, and every piece has a story and a wonderful artist behind it. We are proud because we are supporting craftsmen—artists from Maine all the way to Washington."

"It's a very cultural store," he added. "Our customers come in and tell us that being in here is like being in a gallery or a museum."

Once or twice a year, the Ghorbanians travel to Iran to search for unique items to bring back. On their last visit, they bought three rugs designed by schoolchildren: A small school in Southern Iran had run a carpet-design contest among its students and the three winning designs were made into carpets. Bruce Ghorbanian recently sold one of the rugs to a local Madison pediatrician.

"All our rugs are handmade, and many are very rare," said Bruce Ghorbanian. "They are definitely all one-of-a-kind. Persian rugs are collectible items."

"We opened this store in Madison because we've always loved the town and we wanted to be near Main Street," he says. "Madison has a gorgeous downtown area and in order to keep it alive, it's so important for residents to shop locally. But it goes both ways; merchants need to provide convenient hours and good quality items and stand behind their products. There needs to be communication between residents and merchants—tell your merchant what you want, talk to them, because that will help the town continue to thrive."