Natalia Dentoni & Best Wishes: Creating A Beautiful Pocket of Peace & Light

The holiday season is full of its own unique magic, woven by familiar songs and children’s laughter, ornamented with twinkling lights and tinsel, and wound throughout it all is the simple joy of gift-giving. From finding that perfect gift to wrapping it in paper and ribbons and watching your loved one open it, each step of the giving process has its own thrill and is an instrumental part of what makes this season so beloved. However, finding that perfect gift can be quite a challenge in a world stuffed with big box stores. Among shelves of mass-produced and cookie-cutter clutter, it can be nearly impossible to find a gift that is beautiful, local and intentional. But those familiar with Stockton know exactly where to go.

Best Wishes in Lincoln Center has long stood as a local gem, its vibrant and cheerful sign beckoning you to wander through its cozy interior. Even though it boasts impressive square footage, it maintains the intimacy and warmth of a boutique. It is advertised as merely a home décor and gifts store, but that description seems to fall short of what the store has become to the community. “People come here because it’s a Stockton store…it’s a feel-good store!” said Natalia Dentoni, a lifelong Stocktonian and the new owner of Best Wishes.

A New Direction
An alumna of University of San Diego with a degree in marketing, Natalia described herself as “always having an entrepreneurial mindset.” She traveled with her sorority, Kappa Delta, for a year after graduation doing consulting work and spoke of how wonderful the experience was for her. “It was so confidence building. I had to get up in front of 400 girls and give a presentation and win them over; the fact that I could captivate an audience was such an empowering moment.” Natalia went on to earn her master’s degree in business administration from the University of the Pacific, and while she entered the traditional workforce, she still stoked the flame of entrepreneurship. In 2020, she launched a home bakery business as an anchor through the turmoil of the pandemic, baking and packaging cookies, bars and cake pops. While she had always loved baking, the home bakery business specifically opened her eyes to how much she loved how the work combined her marketing and branding skills with her love of content design and customer interaction.

Natalia grew up frequenting Best Wishes as a youth and it has always had a special place in her heart. “Best Wishes has always been my ‘happy store,’” she said with a laugh. “I’ve been shopping here since I was in high school!” Natalia also had close family ties to the former owner of Best Wishes, Julie Van Noate, who owned the store for 36 years. Natalia knew how important the store was to Julie, and so, in 2024, her interest was sparked when her dad mentioned that Julie was looking to sell.

A Good Fit
At first it seemed too “out of the blue,” but when her mother encouraged her as well, she began to look more seriously into the possibility of taking over the store. After several conversations with her husband and with Julie, and several more discussions over paperwork, the dream became a reality in the beginning months of 2025. “Julie was excited; I was excited,” Natalia said. Although managing the store is a bit different from her previous job experiences, she sees it as the perfect fit for her skillsets and her passions. “I love seeing the visions come to life and interacting with the customers. I’m definitely a people person; I love to socialize.” But it isn’t just Natalia’s love of people that makes her good at running a home décor and gift shop, “Of the five love languages, mine is definitely gift-giving,” Natalia said. “I love to give to others; it’s how I express love and friendship.”

Best Wishes has dusted itself off after an in-depth remodel and reorganization, and the interior shines with a fresh coat of paint and a new point-of-sales station that was carefully designed by Natalia to provide the elevated shopping experience she desires for every one of their customers. “It’s a centerpiece!” Natalia said proudly as she described how it’s one of her favorite parts of the remodel. The gleaming marble countertop softly reflects the light from the chandelier, and rolls of ribbons and tissue paper sparkle behind the cash registers, waiting to swathe gifts in their bright colors. She has loved interacting with all the vendors and attending the gift show in Las Vegas, curating their wares to fit the community’s needs and create a beautiful ambiance for those who browse among her store’s tables and shelves. Among the familiar brands and products there are some exciting new additions, including MacKenzie-Childs’ breathtaking hand-painted ceramics, a personal favorite of Natalia’s and available only in select locations.

Legacy and Expertise
While Natalia is enthusiastic about all the new opportunities the future holds, she is still staunchly dedicated to preserving the legacy Best Wishes has built throughout the years. She intentionally retained the store’s longest-working employees, Janene Harrington, who has been employed at Best Wishes for 20 years, and Erika Hendrickson, who has worked at the store for a decade. “They’ve been super instrumental,” Natalia said. “They know the customers really well.” She credits Janene and Erika for the ease with which she slipped into Julie’s shoes, depending on their expertise to help things run smoothly as she got her bearings, meeting with all their vendors and representatives and figuring out which directions she wanted to go.

One of the things that Best Wishes is known for is its themed displays, gorgeously curated wares organized on tables by themes. “Some of our tables are exclusively one brand, but most of the other tables are mixed,” Natalia said. “We pick a theme; it gives customers some direction. I’m really into the aesthetics.” The themes cover a wide variety of products that shift slightly with the seasons, including bridal and bachelorette gifts, lounge apparel, kitchenware, jewelry, baby clothes and toys, bath and body products, garden decorations and more.

The crew at Best Wishes has worked especially hard to put together a winter wonderland for their customers to peruse this holiday season, each table dancing around a specific theme. “Erika works her magic,” Natalia said as she explained the process of designing each of their signature themed tables for the holiday season. Whether you prefer the look of a rustic holiday with warm plaid and frosted gingerbread men, or the nostalgic glow of a traditional Christmas tree adorned with tinsel and angelic carolers, or perhaps the fun, neon vibe of classic Christmas shows, there’s a place in Best Wishes expertly curated and waiting for you.

Find Your Style
“I prefer traditional to trendy,” Natalia said, discussing the different holiday décor styles and her preferences, but admits she indulged in some of this year’s fashions. “Red bows are in, and I love red bows and they’re very on brand for me, too!” she said. For those who aren’t quite sure what to choose or who get overwhelmed by all the options, Best Wishes also offers beautiful, themed baskets according to occasion and season. Their gift to the community is a luxurious and stress-free gifting experience, whether you love to browse for the perfect item or prefer to defer to the expert selections of their staff.

While Natalia has already whole-heartedly embraced Best Wishes and added her personal touches to the store, she is far from finished; in fact, she’s just getting started. The employees joke that her tagline is “So I’ve been thinking…,” an innocent phrase that foreshadows a new idea brewing and perhaps a few sleepless nights in their futures. When asked about her plans for the store’s future, Natalia’s face brightened and her eyes lit up: “Bringing community events in,” she answered. “Something that allows people to get out and connect.” She shared her ideas to cultivate monthly events for the community, partnering with other local businesses to offer workshops and experiences that cover every age range and interest, from potential flower-arranging and cookie-decorating classes to painting or wine-tasting nights. Her excitement was contagious and so was her vision. “I want it to be a feel-good store for everyone,” she said emphatically. “I want to create a store that is multigenerational… young adults through grandparents. I want them to be able to come here and find what they need.”

Shop Local
The world might be dark and cold this winter, but even if storms shake the windows, in our community there are still beautiful pockets of peace and light. When we turn our focus and energy toward our local businesses, going to them for something as simple as a birthday card or as involved as a gift basket, we keep those lights burning. “Supporting local is huge,” Natalia said. “It means a lot.”

There is something beautiful and transformative about giving–or being given–a gift, whether large or small, holding in your hands a sign of someone’s intentional thought, time, energy and love. Gift-giving is at the heart of the holiday season, and at the heart of gift-giving is the simple yet powerful joy of human connection. The aim of Best Wishes is to foster that connection, helping to knit together the community throughout life’s events and seasons with beautiful gifts. Under Natalia’s tasteful eye and creative direction, she hopes it will continue to do so for decades to come. “Julie owned the store for 36 years, and I want to own it for 36 years,” she said. “I’m not just here for today. I’m here for the journey”