TREASURED MOMENTS: “Treasure Trove is more than a place to find a bargain. It is a beacon for our mission and testament to community generosity. This is a special place on so many levels. Spending time here can be filled with treasured moments!” Shown are the managers and volunteers at HomeFront’s Treasure Trove: From left, front row, Diane Schilke, Helen James, and Andrea Bergman; back row, Annie Battle and Bill Burke.

By Jean Stratton

HomeFront’s Treasure Trove, located at 31 West Broad Street in Hopewell, is engaging, effervescent — and fun! Filled with a variety of high quality items, large and small, old and new, it offers choices for everyone.

Whether you’re renovating or downsizing, you will find a wonderful array of opportunities in a relaxed, comfortable setting, with a friendly staff pleased to welcome you, answer questions, and provide advice.

But what’s more, this store’s mission is looking out for others and helping them in a time of need. All proceeds of its sales go to HomeFront, the organization established in 1991 with the aim of ending family homelessness in central New Jersey and breaking the cycle of poverty. Through the provision of shelter and skills for a self-sustaining life, it offers hope for those who often feel hopeless.

HomeFront has developed a sophisticated network of supportive housing and social services for very low income households that are either homeless or at risk of becoming so.

Better Future

“The work of HomeFront is multidimensional. We do much more than provide shelter,” explains founder and former director Connie Mercer. “Our programs and activities are designed to help families who are experiencing homelessness gain skills for self-empowerment and to develop a vision of a better future for them and their children.”

Originally opened in 2020 as a pop-up shop, Treasure Trove was the idea of current manager and curator/stager Annie Battle and HomeFront art director Ruthann Traylor. Jim Baxter of Baxter Construction provided the double storefront of his building for the shop’s opening and permanent home.

It was a success from the beginning, reports Battle, and a success on many levels. “A lot of people appreciated the fact that they can find something special, and at the same time support an organization like HomeFront. This is very important to them.”

In fact, a number of customers have become volunteers at the store. As one points out, “The store is fun to look at, and you can find something terrific.  And then, there is the added attraction that we are able to support HomeFront. This is a win-win!”

“Everything  in the store has been donated,” explains manager and volunteer Helen James, who has been volunteering since the shop opened its doors. ‘Also, we now have 30 volunteers. Everyone here is a volunteer.”

Also, adds Battle, “Everything we have is very good quality, in excellent condition, including some higher-end pieces, and all are offered at good prices. We take great care about pricing the items. We’ll research antiques and check out references for other items.”

Destination Place

“I especially like seeking out the furniture — it is my favorite part,” says manager and volunteer Diane Schilke. “Furniture is extremely popular with our customers, and we go to garage sales and estate sales to find it. Wonderful pieces can surprise us, and we have relationships with realtors, and with the estate companies that run the sales, who may donate leftover items.

“We have really become a destination place for furniture. Young people may be furnishing their new house or apartment, and older people could be downsizing. So they may decide to donate something to us, but at the same time, find something for their new home. I am so happy that my grandchildren are now helping deliver furniture to the store. They see the value of what we are doing at Treasure Trove.”

So — what treasures will you find at Treasure Trove? So many possibilities! Aforementioned furniture, antiques, collectibles, sterling silver, fine china place settings, glassware, jewelry of all kinds, clocks (including grandfathers) and lamps, rugs, artwork — and so much more.

Sometimes, very unusual items come along, such as a 49-star American flag, or a huge canvas poster (4 feet by 25 feet) from a cattleman’s association — surely a collectible for someone!

Among the furniture, bookcases, desks, tables, chairs, cabinets, and chests are all in demand. Current showpieces include a handsome china cabinet with curved glass front — a standout at $125.

Recently donated from an estate sale, a versatile table features beautiful twin marble top panels. “Suitable for dining room, entry, or bedroom, it is a statement piece for sure,” says Battle.

Three Generations

Another impressive table, this one of solid oak, with claw feet legs, dates to the late 1800s or turn of the century. “According to the donor, it was used as a desk by three generations of the family,” reports Battle. “There is really a story with everything.”

Volunteer Bill Burke agrees, and is particularly interested in those relating to wood. ”I really like wood a lot, and so I especially enjoy seeing the wood furniture come in. I was a customer here, and then when I found out about the HomeFront connection, I wanted to volunteer. It is so rewarding.”

Indeed, all the volunteers appreciate the opportunity that Treasure Trove affords them to give back, and many have skills and backgrounds that can be especially relevant to different areas of the store.

Andrea Bergman, who is a new volunteer, is such a person. As she points out, “I had worked in retail in home furnishings, so this is very enjoyable for me. I had wanted to volunteer, and was looking into it. I was so glad when I found Treasure Trove and its relationship with HomeFront.”

New items come in all the time, reports Battle, and so keeping up with the displays is an important part of the job. The shop is noted for its colorful eye appeal and engaging decor.

“I love to arrange everything,” she says. “We change things often, so customers will find a new look when they come in. This is one of my favorite things. I remember when I was a little girl, my mother saying, ‘We will really have fun today. We are going to rearrange the living room.’”

Every Week

Customers are coming from all over the area, points out James. “They are regulars, repeats, and many have been with us from the beginning. We have really built relationships with them, and so many have become friends. Some people even come in every week. They know the merchandise changes so frequently, and they don’t want to miss anything.”

She adds, too, that the three managers are very encouraged with the store’s success. “It is really a thrill when we find that in one five-day week, we have made $10,000!”

And, reports Schilke, “Last year we made $295,000!  How wonderful is that, and everything goes to HomeFront.”

In addition, she reports that though most of the customers are individuals from the area, occasionally they arrive from elsewhere, and are not the usual visitors. “A movie company was recently filming in New Hope, and they came in to get furniture for the movie. That was fun.”

Donations are crucial to the success of Treasure Trove, and most come from individuals. Those wishing to donate, can bring in smaller items during store hours, and if they have large items, such as furniture, they can send a photo with dimensions. They can also visit the website for specific information.

Pricing the pieces is very carefully handled, points out Battle. Items range from $10 up to $500 for furniture.

“We take this very seriously. Basically everything here is carefully procured, carefully priced, and carefully arranged. We are very selective about what we offer.”

Care and Attention

Customers appreciate the care and attention Treasure Trove volunteers exhibit toward the products, and also the variety of items that are offered.

Hopewell resident Sheila Reynertson has been coming to the store since it opened. “I really love the thrift inventory. I come all the time to see what is new, and there is always something special. What Treasure Trove is doing for HomeFront is so important. I am happy to support its mission. And there is a wonderful, wonderful staff here! Treasure Trove has really become an anchor in Hopewell. It helps our town; it helps create interest throughout the town.”

That is the opinion of many customers who point out that the location on the main street encourages strolling about and visiting other shops in town. It is good for the community as a whole.

Related to that, Schilke notes that “We have joined the Downtown Hopewell Partnership. We share ideas, and we work with the town to bring people to the town.”

Maintaining Treasure Trove as a successful enterprise requires effort, enthusiasm, energy — and money!

Monetary donations from individuals are very welcome. As Battle points out, “We are focused on fundraising, and we reach out to individuals who can help. There are a lot of resources here, and people do want to help when they are asked. We can use assistance with our monthly rent, and also we are trying to raise money for the furniture transportation, and we are grateful for all contributions.

“Actually, we have saved some money recently. We previously had a paid manager for the store, but the big news is that the three of us — Helen, Diane, and myself — are now the managers. We are the point people. One of us is always here. And we are all volunteers.”

Wonderful Interaction

The managers, who all have their specialties, also point out that they all complement each other and that they are in a very special place, which is on a very special mission. And it is enjoyable in every way.

“It’s fun coming here,” observes James. “I love seeing the people who come in, and I like to help them with their donations and choices. Also, there is wonderful interaction with all the volunteers.”

“This is a very joyful place,” adds Schilke. “It’s a feel good atmosphere for everyone who comes here. It’s wonderful to see the customers enjoying themselves. We are privileged and grateful to be here.”

Battle couldn’t agree more. “I am most proud of being a part of a group effort that does so much to help others in such a joyful and collegial place and atmosphere. In our mission to help HomeFront, I believe that everyone deserves to be surrounded by beauty no matter how simple, and be in a space where they can feel safe and secure.”

All who visit this remarkable store are reminded of the value it places on supporting those in need on so many levels.

“HomeFront’s Treasure Trove. Buy Something You Love. Support A Cause You Believe In.”

Treasure Trove is open Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.

For further information, call (609) 989-9417 ext. 450 or visit the website at HomeFrontNJ.org/Treasure-Trove.