Church Thrift Store Offers Heavenly Treasures

“You just have to hit it right, and you could walk out with the bargain of your life,” said Marilyn Crofton of East Hanover.   Crofton is one of the volunteers at the Heavenly Treasures Thrift Store, which is run by the First Presbyterian Church of East Hanover (14 Hanover Avenue, East Hanover).   Open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, the store offers a variety of items from Lenox to jewelry to housewares and more.   It is located directly across the street from the church at the back of the parking lot.  Recently, Crofton shared some information about the store.

Handbags galore line the wall at Heavenly Treasures.

 “The store was first opened in 2014 with one room as a mission program to earn money to donate to various charities such as Friends of East Hanover, Interfaith Food Pantry, Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, Operation Holiday, and Salvation Army,” noted Crofton.  Today, the store has four rooms and in addition to helping charities, it benefits its historic church.   Crofton noted that The First Presbyterian Church of East Hanover was established in 1718 and is the oldest religious congregation of  Morris County.  The present church building was erected in 1835 on Mount Pleasant Avenue (at the junction of Hanover Road), East Hanover and is on the National Register of Historical Places.  With that honor also comes added cost when repairs are needed because they need to be done in a way to keep the building historically accurate and that is expensive.

The Heavenly Treasures Thrift Store has a permanent Christmas room with an array of decorations.

 As for the items the store sells, it sells new and gently used jewelry, handbags, kitchen articles (such as dishes, glasses, pots, pans, coffee pots), blankets, toys, games, puzzle, Lenox, crystal dishes, some small furniture, and many other items. The store also has a permanent Christmas room to let people get a head-start on decorations to make the holiday merry.  Other seasons are not forgotten.  Easter, Halloween, etc. may not have their own room, but decorations are put out for sale in season.   Crofton noted that the store does not have clothing (due to space limitations).

In talking about the store, Crofton joked, “We’re a pretend Macy’s” in noting the pictures and photos which not only serve as décor but are also on sale.  Crofton shared with pride that people have complimented how “nice and neat” the store is and that it takes a bit for the volunteers to keep it that way.  There are four core volunteers who each has a niche as far as pricing items, cleaning, checking out item condition, etc.   Other church member volunteers help on the day the store is open by being cashiers. 

A variety of items await at Heavenly Treasures Thrift Store.

 Donations of items come from people who are cleaning out their homes or people who are tired of what they have, want to get something new, but don’t want to throw out the current items because they are too nice. The store can only accept donations on Saturdays during store hours.  Also, donations cannot be accepted by leaving them outdoors.

The store benefits a variety of shoppers.  Some are treasure hunters looking for a find; others are college students looking for low-cost household items for their dorm.  Others are young couples looking to furnish a home, while others have limited funds and want to make their dollars stretch.  Some are looking for a bargain on children’s toys or puzzles rather than pay regular store prices.  

Heavenly Treasures has a variety of costume jewelry on sale to tempt those looking for just that right accessory

 When asked about what she likes about volunteering at the store, Crofton shared that she enjoys the comradery of the volunteers and the customers.   Some customers like to talk with the volunteers and share stories.  Crofton noted that she was shy when she was young, but not anymore and gets chatty with the customers.  She admits she also enjoys seeing what is donated and that sometimes the volunteers buy some items themselves.  “[It is] so fun”, she said of volunteering.

For more information about the thrift store and the church, see the church website at   www.firstchurchhan.org/.