A thrift store, Willow Creek Thrifty Treasures, has opened under the direction of the Community Support Group of Western New York, in what was formerly the pavilion. Located at 492 Clymer Corry Road, Willow Creek Thrifty Treasures is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. As of right now the store only accepts cash.

Deborah White, co-president of the Community Support Group, Deborah White, said Community Support Group has been doing programing for 23 years, with their biggest and most successful programing being summer recreation where the organization helps transport children to Corry, Pa., for swimming lessons along with bringing in artists and guests for the kids, and doing other activities such as field trips.

“We felt opening this thrift shop was a way to raise money to benefit local community nonprofits and those in need,” White said. “Our biggest goal was to provide services for the elderly, needy and underserved in our community.”

Willow Creek Thrifty Treasures is operated by two managers; Lisa White and Amy Marrs, along with 35 volunteers who all work under the direction of the Community Support Group. The group received a Chautauqua Region Community Foundation impact grant to help with structural improvements, and also held a fund drive within the community and surrounding areas, raising over $21,000 from 41 businesses and community member donors towards start-up expenses.

The thrift store also offers books and other media items. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

Volunteers help to run the store by taking in items for donation, sorting and pricing them and then putting them out into the store. There is a donation room that is open 24/7, and accepts only clean, undamaged, quality items.

Items the store accepts includes; clean clothing and linens, housewares, antiques, books and media, small appliances, hardware or tools, sporting goods, toys and games, musical instruments, and craft supplies. Items they cannot accept include; building materials, automotive parts, household chemicals, paints and liquids, soiled furniture, or damaged items. Conditional items that can be accepted with manager approval and dropped off by appointment are televisions less than five years old, furniture that is free of pet hair, odor, smoke and stains, baby equipment and large appliances.

“People come and donate items and we sort, price and put them out,” Marrs said. “We can take any household items, books, toys, and we do offer some antiques that may be priced a little higher than you might find on EBay but less than at an antique store.”

White said one of the biggest benefits of the thrift store is that all items are being recycled or reused instead of ending up in a landfill. Lisa White added that people should be interested in coming to visit the thrift store as it benefits the community.

The store also offers an advantage to people who cannot currently afford retail stores, they said.

Willow Creek Thrifty Treasures has officially opened in Clymer, in the location of the former Willow Creek Pavilion. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

“With the rising costs of everything it gives people who maybe can’t afford things like people with big families or the elderly a place to go to get some things at a cheaper price,” Marrs said.

The store is run solely by volunteers, and the three women noted that they are always looking for more.

“We love our volunteers, but we would love to have more,” Lisa White said.

Volunteers are not expected to work a lot, and White said if someone wants to come and only work two hours that is fine, or if they want to work more they can too. Volunteers get store credit for every hour that they work.

“Our volunteers are our most prized asset,” White said. “They are amazing and seem to really enjoy their time together.”

Pictured are the current team of volunteers that run Willow Creek Thrifty Treasures. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

For more information on Willow Creek Thrifty Treasures, visit the store’s Facebook page.