Situated on a tree-lined street in Hopewell Borough’s business district, HomeFront’s Treasure Trove sells high-end vintage furniture, home décor and jewelry with a larger purpose: proceeds support HomeFront’s work helping families across Central New Jersey.
And those proceeds add up.
The store raised more than $400,000 for HomeFront last year, according to Lead Volunteer Helen James. With the shop run entirely by volunteers, its primary overhead expense is rent. Sometimes, James said, a patron will even cover a month’s rent as another way to support the cause.
From pop-up gallery to downtown shop
Treasure Trove began as a pop-up art gallery for HomeFront. Baxter Construction, which owns the building, provided the original space rent-free for the first year.
The location proved popular, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the shop evolved to include furniture and other home goods. Lead Volunteer Dianne Schilke, who started in 2021, recalled a time when people were still wearing masks but were eager to get out of the house. The store quickly developed a following.
Today, as many as 36 volunteers operate the shop, including lead volunteers Schilke, James and Annie Battle, who serve as managers. Treasure Trove is also seeking additional volunteers.
The merchandise that reaches the sales floor is carefully curated. James selects pieces from potential donations and said inventory moves so quickly that the selection can change almost completely from one week to the next.
Schilke keeps customers up to date on new arrivals through the shop’s social media accounts. A real estate agent, she also connects clients who are selling homes with Treasure Trove when they have furniture to donate.
Battle stages furniture in living and dining room arrangements, helping shoppers envision how pieces might look in their own homes.
“We try to stage everything in a very orderly fashion,” James said.
Rugs, lamps, tables, china and glassware help give the shop the feel of a home furnishings store rather than a traditional thrift shop.
Making use of every donation
Volunteers also find ways to make use of donations that might otherwise be difficult to sell.
Lillian Rankel, a chemist and volunteer, oversees the jewelry department. Celeste Twamley, another volunteer with a chemistry background, helps inspect the composition of metal plates and some jewelry.
Rankel said the store will sometimes receive something as small as a single earring. Rather than discard an item that would be difficult to sell on its own, the earring can be sold to a third party, with the proceeds going to HomeFront.
An annex recently opened to provide additional showrooms for overflow merchandise as well as storage and work areas. The store also carries seasonal décor and holds a popular holiday event each year.
Supporting HomeFront’s larger mission
HomeFront, based in Lawrence Township, works to prevent and end homelessness in Central New Jersey.
According to the organization, its services include educational programs for children, assistance to help families facing financial hardship remain in their homes, shelter through its FreshStart program and necessities such as diapers.
James has volunteered with HomeFront in various capacities since the 1990s. She said the organization not only helps families find housing but works to prevent homelessness by assisting those who have experienced a financial setback. HomeFront also organizes back-to-school and holiday drives and provides food and personal items to families in need.
That mission, James said, can make it easier for donors to let go of possessions that carry sentimental value because they know the items will support a larger cause.
Treasure Trove is located at 31 W. Broad St. in Hopewell Borough. Donations must be approved in advance through HomeFront’s donation form or by contacting the store at (609) 989-9417 x450 or [email protected]
