By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

STOCKTON -- When Linda Cross returned to her hometown four years ago, she wasn't planning to go into business.

After purchasing and renovating a part-time home, however, she felt led to continue giving back to the small northwest Kansas community.

"I soon realized that there is so much local talent here, and they didn't have a place to display," Cross said. "I woke up one day and just felt so drawn to do this."

That realization resulted in the opening of Main Street Gallery about two years ago, where 85 artists now are able to feature and sell their wares on consignment.

The store offers everything from American Indians leather work to homemade children's sweaters and a wide variety of beaded jewelry. Original paintings and prints cover the walls, the labors of many area artists.

There's homemade wooden toys, crocheted scarves, and mosaic mirrors and picture frames.

And for Cross, it truly is a family affair. Among the store's largest homemade items are a loveseat made from an old Corvette and an antique gas tank transformed into a curio cabinet, both the work of Cross' brother.

"I'm very proud of all the consignors," she said. "They really make the gallery special because people go for handcrafted things."

The gallery, located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and U.S. Highway 24, attracts steady foot traffic, with Stockton residents and travelers frequenting the business.

Stockton resident Ruth Phelps is among those who visit the gallery often.

"Linda's a dear friend, and I just think she's done fantastic things for the town," Phelps said. "Little towns like Stockton really have to fight for survival."

In addition to artwork, the store offers a variety of gift items, including a line of shirts with the slogan "Paris, London, New York, Stockton," with the town's zip code on the back.

"A lot of mothers send those to their children out of town," Cross said with a laugh. "It's a real fun thing."

The store also offers some antiques and other items Cross has picked up during her travels, including Italian pashmina scarves.

The business is located in a sprawling, 101-year-old downtown storefront. It also includes a year-round Christmas store and a community meeting space, which was created with the hope it could be rented as a studio apartment someday.

The building was in considerable disrepair when Cross purchased it, but it's all worth it in the end, she said.

"I think I'm an unlicensed interior decorator," Cross said with a laugh. "I don't consider it work. I consider it fun."

Cross grew up north of what is now Webster Dam and graduated in the town of Webster before construction of the dam.

Cross and her husband now reside in Tucson, Ariz., along with their son. The couple spent their careers in the newspaper industry, so owning an art gallery was a new venture -- and one intended to help keep Stockton on the map, she said.

"I really believe that little towns don't have to die," Cross said. "I think somebody just has to care about it and has to pump some outside money into it."