Emergency Shelter Partnership, Hope’s Door, Hudson Valley Honor Flight, and the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry
There is a not-so-hidden shopping treasure in Armonk. You’ve gone past it often, but now it’s time to stop in to discover and uncover some hidden treasures for yourself.
What and where is this mysterious place? It is a thrift shop aptly named Treasures in the basement of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, located at the entrance to the Bedford Road Historic District. However, the shop entrance is on Maple Avenue, thru the lower red door, across from Wampus Park.
“Thrifting is not only fashionable,” says Norma Hill, a long-time volunteer, “it’s fun. We can attest to that.”
Adds Trina Fontaine who oversees the shop on behalf of the church’s community out-reach efforts, “Treasures is truly a wellkept secret. Not only does Treasures boast bargains on high-end retail items, but it also helps individuals and households to be environmentally responsible with their donations and purchases.”
“The generosity of donors is beyond imagination,” continues Hill. Recent acquisitions include like-new Hermès and Burberry bags, St. John knits and Ralph Lauren jackets, as well as Jimmy Choo boots and shoes. “They literally flew out of the store,” according to Hill.
Among porcelain dishes, fine china and glassware items were a Tiffany cachepot and Baccarat vase, all at bargain basement prices. “No pun intended,” adds Fontaine. “The fun of shopping at Treasures is that you never know what you will find. We have many customers who come in once or twice a week to see what’s new.”
Started in 1967 by Mildred McDonald, a St. Stephen’s congregant and president of its Episcopal Church Women committee, Treasures’ business model has remained constant: providing low-cost, high-quality items to the community in order to lend financial support to local people in need. Half of the profits from Treasures support area non-profit organizations such as Emergency Shelter Partnership, Hope’s Door, Hudson Valley Honor Flight, and the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry. Through its partnership with Greentree Textiles, Treasures accepts textile and clothing items unsuitable for resale but able to be repurposed, including clothing, shoes, purses, and linens.
Recently, Treasures retail space was renovated, with merchandise now displayed in an airy, well-lit, clean, and uncluttered environment. Clothing is in one room, furniture and household goods in another, with assorted bric-a-brac in yet another. There is even a beautiful new fitting room, built by Father Nils Chittenden, where one can try on one’s selections. Treasures will also soon be adding another room for children’s clothes, books, games, and entertainment items.
Besides its rotating inventory, what makes Treasures so special is its cadre of 15 warm and welcoming volunteers, all happy to serve customers, bargain hunters and donors alike.
Treasures is open two days a week for shopping and drop-off: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is ample parking in the Maple Avenue lot in front of the store. Cash and credit cards are gladly accepted.
Customers and donors are also invited to visit its website: treasuresthriftshop.org. Or better yet, come by in person to discover for yourself the hidden treasures to be found at Treasures.
ARTICLE COURTESY OF THE ST. STEPHENS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
PHOTOS BY DONNA MUELLER
Treasures dedicated “employees” are volunteers from the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. There are 12-15 people on staff to support the store’s hours from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., three days a week. The thrift shop is managed by Linda Ranieris. She joined the church about 30 years ago and shortly thereafter became involved in the shop precisely because it supports such meaningful causes. She compliments all her co-workers, saying that the store truly “has a terrific staff who all truly love working there.” After 30 years, it’s understandable that Linda would feel so strongly about Treasures and its people!
Shoppers have very positive feedback about the store. The merchandise is wonderful and eclectic, and the staff is welcoming and accommodating. Merchandise in the store ranges from housewares to clothing to tchotchkes and all donations must be in good, clean, saleable condition. Manager Linda says that while they are open three days a week, if someone would like to donate and those days don’t work, she will work to find an alternative time. Linda also accommodates merchandise requests! She gets phone calls looking for specific products and will follow up with customers if a desired item comes in.