Posted: 1/16/08
Got Stuff? They'll take it
New thrift store opens in downtown North Branch
 Lisa Cotter, left, and Jamie Hovey are owners of Second Hand Treasures, a new thrift store that opened in the old library building in downtown North Branch Jan. 8. The store is currently accepting used items, which can be dropped off during normal business hours. |
By Steve Morris
Second Hand Treasures is North Branch's newest business to grace the downtown streets.
The thrift store opened Jan. 8 in the old library building and is looking to serve a need in the community by collecting people's unwanted items and then selling them to the public.
The store is co-owned by Lisa Cotter, a 1990 North Branch High School graduate, and Jamie Hovey, a mother of three who resides in Lindstrom.
Hovey, who grew up in Lakeville, purchased the building in November with her husband and has been busy with Cotter getting the store to operational mode ever since.
Slowly but surely, and with the help of family and friends, the two entrepreneurs collected items to fill the store.
A quick walk through the aisles and you notice Cotter and Hovey either have a lot of friends and family or both. Clothes, household items, antiques and more fill 5,000 square feet of space on the main level. Cotter said all items are reasonably priced.
"We have had a lot of people who have said our prices are really good here," Cotter said.
The store accepts most items except mattresses and large appliances such as TVs and refrigerators. Other than that, there isn't much they don't accept, explained Hovey.
Hovey said the store also fills a niche market for people looking to "go green" by finding an alternative home for unwanted belongings.
Hovey wants to give back to the community by offering special programs for foster families and as a resource center where people can find local happenings via a bulletin board.
On Wednesdays, Second Hand Treasures offers a 10 percent discount to seniors. The store's grand opening is set for Feb. 1-2. To celebrate, they are having 50 percent off all winter coats.
The store accepts major credit cards and checks. For more information, contact Second Hand Treasures at (651) 277-HAND.
"This is something I have wanted to do for a long time," Cotter said while standing behind the cash register in her new business. "Everything has just fallen into place."
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